For the last few years I have found American library employees to speak very loudly when interacting with patrons and with each other. Other people are not admonished to be quiet.
I think being quiet matters to make the best of reading and of learning. Does quiet matter?
I think a library should contain quiet spaces. I think expecting the entire space to be silent is unrealistic given the number of important interactions that might require communication.
People in general appear to be less concerned if they bother others. And more hearing impaired. I expect whispered conversations in the reading area, it’s the wrong place for Karaoke.
Last (university) library i was in had designated areas for talking and for silence. The talking areas had open tables where any group of students could work on/talk about their subjects and corals where smaller groups could gather for group work behind a closed door. Nearby were desktop computers or students could use their laptops connecting to the university’s intranet. The open areas could occasionally be filled with very racous groups.
The silent areas were useful but I found the silence oppressive and “loud”. Thankfully I did not need to visit there often (in my role as a sign language interpreter) and only really used the space when working on my own professional development programme.
The best part was the nearest (on campus) coffee shop was directly opposite the library entrance. There was no rule about not driking in the library.
Reference libraries: yes
Education / study libraries: yes
Normal libraries: no, these are more like bookshops for browsing. You’re not expecting to read here. You didn’t expect quiet while browsing the VHS tapes in Blockbuster.
The size of the library is also going to figure in. I’d expect the area around the circulation and reference desks to be somewhat noisier, the children’s area in a public library might be fairly chaotic, and so on. In a small library, that might affect the entire space, while a larger library will have quiet areas off in the stacks.
“Normal libraries” That’s interesting. What is that? A county library?
You’ve never been to a library that isn’t attached to an academic or research institution? Wow. Go! They have them in most towns and villages. They are great. They’re, as I imply above, like Blockbuster but for books.
I go frequently to such places. “Normal” could mean anything. I want to be sure what is meant.