To tell the workers in the library that they should shut the .... up?!

[LolaTheShowgirl]

Are the days that you could have quiet time in the library gone? For the past ten minutes, two women who work at the library have been stood behind the bookshelf that is beside me, slagging off their co-workers and gossiping about their stupid weekends. I'm sure they must have a lunch break they can discuss this in, because quite frankly, i'm trying to concentrate, ffs!

YANBU, cough loudly!

Yes - days gone by you had to be silent.
Now libraries have changed their image and it is a meeting place and information center where you get internet access and leaflets about chil minders, sing songs for toddlers - aswell as lending books. Libraries work on foot fall and they have to get the punters in the door so dont care if they are screaming or shoutting as there feet count!!

As for staff talking and gossiping - you should have popped you head round and said - iIa mgoingt o type your gossip up on mumsnet when I get home That would have shut them up!

I don't think they do quiet in libraries now. Near me, there are two libraries - a lovely bright modern one with a high ceiling, where the children's library is a partitioned-off corner of the main library and you are allowed to make as much noise as you want, and a musty old traditional one where the children's books are on a different floor and everyone tiptoes around. The first one might be more modern, but I much prefer the old one! It's so peaceful and lovely and I never have to hear anyone screech . They can do storytime and singing in the children's library, which is fine by me, and keep the adult one quiet.

Oh goodness what happened

"I a going to type your"

hahaha @ ivykaty! The childrens library is upstairs and I don't mind noise from children at all, but these adults should take their conversation to the staff room. Now two more are at it Is this the spot where-over-loud-bitchy-women-who-work-at-the-library gather for a good old moan?

I'm a library assistant.

Our library is a nice place to be, but there isn't the emphasis on total silence anymore. However, I do (quite frequently!) tell rowdy kids and teenagers to "KEEP THE NOISE DOWN WILL YOU, THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE HERE WHO DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOU".

We have childrens story sessions and sing-songs but they are at a designated time on a designated day, which older customers know about and tend to avoid.

As for the staff chatting! Well, I would have said something in your shoes. Just say, "I don't really want to hear about this thanks." They are not supposed to slag off co-workers, and can be disciplined for doing so. You are quite within your rights to see the library manager, or even just put a comment in the comments box. Libraries are noisier places than they used to be, but you shouldn't have to listen to this.

how about a loudish sssssssssshhhhhhhhhh

or another way, make it REALLY obvious that you are listening to them, agog.
that should shut them up

I too work in a library and am guilty of doing exactly what OP is annoyed at , except our conversations take place at the counter. I know we shouldn't do it, but it's sooooo dull and quiet in the hours that I work. Thats no excuse though, we really shouldn't do it. And I'm a supervisor. Sorry

However libraries being quiet are a thing of the past. I remember about a year ago I was manning the main counter and couldn't actually hear the person I was on the phone to as the noise level was so loud (we're a uni library so main entrance tends to be where the students congregate and gossip). I asked my boss to put a tannoy out requesting that everyone keep the noise down and got told I couldn't do that as the chatter helps with the "studying"

Our local libraries all have a quiet study area that's set apart (in both cases upstairs, and far away from the children's section) so you can have the best of both worlds. Smaller libraries may not have the space for this though.