AIBU about library? If I’m not, can I say something?

[Amianidiott]

the last few times I’ve taken DD (6) to the local library, we’ve been unable to stay. About 6ish months ago our library introduced a trolley of iPads. Since then, every time we go to the library there are about 8ish teenage boys (I’m guessing young teens - I don’t know if they’re the same boys everytime) congregate in the library and play video games. The problem is they are very loud - if anyone’s heard a teen playing video game at full volume, you know it’s repeated shouts of ‘kill, kill, kill’ plus lots of heckling each other. They usually congregate on a reading area with sofas which is in the middle of the kids section. DD finds it intimidating and it’s really difficult to concentrate on books with the shouting. The first couple of times, I saw someone from the library make a very disconcerted attempt to ask them to be quiet, but the last 10ish times, I’ve not seen the library staff do anything, despite being in the area frequently. The kids don’t appear to be accompanied either.

is this just how libraries are used now? Before DD, I didn’t use the local library frequently, so it might just be a change in use. I can also understand that these kids might not have devices at home, or anywhere else to congregate.

if it’s not how most libraries are used, would I be unreasonable to ask the staff if there are any work arounds (like times when the library could be made more welcoming for younger kids)? I’ve tried going at different times after school/ at the weekend but I’ve not been able to avoid the shouting yet.

I'd have a word with the staff. There are a lot of teens and tweens that use my library for gaming and the staff are really good at keeping an eye on them and telling them to mind their language when necessary. If it's putting people with younger kids off using the library then they need to do something.

I would have a word, but not with the staff on the library floor - this is a management issue. I would contact the head of library services. If they want to go ahead with the policy of allowing gaming in the library, they need to identify an area for it separated from the main children's area where very young children will be choosing and reading books.

The staff won't be happy about it either. They need to be in a seperate soundproof room. However, as we move into a post literate future, it's likely to be this, or no library at all.

I would have a word/send an email.

I can understand how your child is intimidated. My child gets intimidated by teenagers too.

Our library doesn't have iPads. Just the normal computers.

They can’t be there all day every day. Maybe try different times of day?

I agree with sending an email but if it’s anything like my local, it won’t be sorted quickly.

Thank you, this is a really good suggestion. I think I wasn’t sure whether to say anything to staff because as you say, it’s not really their decision and if I signed up to work in a library, I wouldn’t like having to manage the behaviour of a group of teenagers, but writing to management solves both of those.

I think they’re probably congregating after school and on weekends, but that’s when we visit as well - I tried yesterday as it was a school holiday but they were still there!

Fair - the computers/ iPads probably draw more kids and I guess the job of the library is to serve the community so I can definitely understand. The library has a couple of closed rooms but the rest is pretty open plan (new build)

I'd probably tell the kids myself (politely!)
If I had no joy there, I'd probably ask the staff if there can be somewhere else for the iPads as smaller kids are trying to enjoy the books

Tell them, they have organized it badly.

I would also say that you should feel free to say that you don't think the iPads have a place in the library if you feel that way. I manage a library and while I don't think anyone needs to be restricted as such on the public computers unless they are being loud - and I regularly need to tell teenage boys they need to pipe down - , I hate the trend to stick iPads and game consoles in children's areas.

It means when people take their young kids to the library all they want to do is fool around on screens, and instead of a nice time out they are fighting with them about screens all the time. It's not like most kids aren't on them constantly at home, and very often at school as well. It's worst when they have them set up for toddlers and preschoolers which I have seen more than once.

Do you/your child have friends with the same issue? One lone complaint isn’t going to carry much weight, and the library service is probably pleased they can demonstrate their services are reaching groups that traditionally don’t use libraries much.

But 25 families all writing in to complain about the same issue might be more likely to start some action.

And of course if 25 families all decided to visit on a particular day and time and the children’s area was suddenly full of young children asking if they could have a go on the iPads and what are they playing and generally milling around the teens might just move on…

Is there another room that the iPads could be in?

Our library does have iPads available two days a week, although I don't believe they allow violent games to be downloaded - I'm pretty sure it's educational games only, and headphones have to be worn. They're upstairs, anyway, in the "local history" part that's rarely used. There's also computers downstairs, but they're also away from the reading part, and they are all headphones only too.

The children's corner sometimes has Duplo/sensory items/the projector on, and there's a wall machine that plays music (sadly!) but overall it's a quiet and peaceful place to sit and read.

The thing is, they need to have them in an open area rather than a different room for safety reasons (as in protecting the teenagers). In most libraries there is a Young Adult section on one edge of the children's section, where staff can keep an eye. Moving the iPads there with a few seats would probably solve the problem.

I would actually raise this with management, library staff should be keeping the noise levels down. I think it's great that a group of teens are n the library rather than out on the streets though. Staff need to find a way to make it work for all.

Complain about it if you wish, get a group of parents to complain about it if you wish. They'll likely remove the iPads and computers. However don't be surprised when the library gets closed down, for lack of use.

I’m surprised to read this. When ours were younger, the staff would jump on any excessive noise.

a separate room is clearly needed. Agree with an e-mail to management, probably copied to the local councillor?

None of the libraries around here have iPads or gaming facilities. Very odd I can't understand why that is appropriate for a library

The library used to be a quiet place and staff would police that, but it isn't expected any more.
I know at ours there have been tension between people who want to work/read quietly and noisy groups -not least the toddler story and song time, which is incredibly noisy!

Libraries in our area have been closing, or partially closing, so they have been trying to think out of the box to get more, especially more younger, people in to use it so they can prove their worth. And the iPads will be one of those things, and, by the sound of it, very successful.

It's really disappointing when people want to try new ideas, but then implement them in a half arsed way that doesn't work well for anyone. My favourite library (not in the UK) was rebuilt after long and intensive communication with locals of all ages about how they would like to use a library in the future and the city then built it. It has a cafe and a giant open atrium on the ground floor where there are chess tables and sets people can use for free, a children's library area, adults, board games etc on another floor, meeting rooms (available for anyone with a library card to book for free), games rooms with playstations etc, again, available to book for free if you have a library card; another floor is the learning floor, where they have sewing machines, 3D printers, instruments etc, and they offer regular free classes. It is absolutely brilliant because it is so well-thought out. Computer games can only be played in the computer games rooms, and any noise can't be heard elsewhere in the building. I think it's great that your local library are offering another way to tempt users in (because without frequent users, it will be closed), but they need to find a separate space where the noise from games doesn't prevent other users from enjoying the wider space. I would look at whether there is someone at the local council you can speak to about how to make the library more user friendly for everyone.

YANBU. Write to the library service.

Personally I think it’s great that the local area is doing something for teens to keep them off the streets and doing a sociable activity. There’s so much to worry about these days with teenagers being left to roam with nowhere to go (our affluent area has been getting warnings about county lines recruiters, that’s how bad it’s got). Can’t you just go elsewhere in the library? Or suggest to the library staff a gaming area is moved elsewhere? Or say politely to the boys “Lads can you just keep it down as some people are trying to read”. Teenage boys aren’t monsters, the vast majority will say “ok sorry”

Because, just like any other businesses, libraries need to move with the times or they will be closed due to lack of use. People use them - or would like to use them - in different ways. Having ipads and games for use doesn't have to be anti-social. It can be a great way for families to play together without the expense of buying devices and games; it's a safe place for teens to get together; it offers those who are shy another way to connect with people in real life; people who aren't tech savy can get support and access etc. And once you're in the library, you may pay attention to other services they offer, like adult learning courses, or baby classes or after-school homework clubs, or board game sessions etc. Again, it's a standard business strategy - tempt customers in with one thing and hope they pay attention to the other items once they're in. It's just unfortunate that practicalities don't seem to have been thought through at OP's library.

Our library now has a gaming club. Older kids/teens can go at the weekend and play games in a side room that keeps the main area quieter. It works well.

I'd be annoyed too but i'd say to the children that's quite loud can you turn it down a bit. The fact that they know where the library is would indicate that they are probably quite receptive to that kind of input. I would also as others have said ask not complain to the staff onsite and then raise with the Local Authority.

It is great that they are encouraging young people into the library but perhaps whoever did it didn't think of the noise. Ours has a communal jigsaw and free coffee and tea, that's as exciting as it gets! It does though have a load of different groups, so the library as an absolutely silent place which it used to be has gone now I think which is good. Although i still whisper as a force of habit.

Also worth contacting your local councillors to ask them to take it up with the libraries' management.