# Shut up and read! And don't vandalize books, either! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 23, 2002, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393 "2002-11-23T21:25:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df788c/32.png) [@Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ben)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/1 "2002-11-23T21:25:16Z")
If this is a library, why are so many of you speaking on cellphones? And while we’re at it, which of you decided to stick big, big blobs of bubble gum between the pages of _After Man_? ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/2 "2002-11-23T21:45:50Z")
Dude, they can’t speak on cell phones if they’re chewing gum. Those things don’t just magically disappear. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Magic8ball](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Miss\_Magic8ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Magic8ball)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/3 "2002-11-24T07:42:50Z")
Libraries are my house of “god”. They shoul;d not be sacrileged by stupid poeple who can barely read talking on thier cell phones. To me, that Entails Blasphemy. Fucking Heathens. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/4 "2002-11-24T13:00:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miss Magic8ball \* > \*\*Libraries are my house of “god”. They shoul;d not be sacrileged by stupid poeple who can barely read talking on thier cell phones. To me, that Entails Blasphemy. > > Fucking Heathens. \*\* Oooh…you’d probably hate the library at my school. There’s a _Starbucks_ in there. ---
**Author:** ![lel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8797f3/32.png) [@lel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lel)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/5 "2002-11-24T16:54:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ben \* > \*\*If this is a library, why are so many of you speaking on cellphones? > > And while we’re at it, which of you decided to stick big, big blobs of bubble gum between the pages of _After Man_? \*\* Well, at least they aren’t making out in the stacks…or are they? ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/6 "2002-11-24T18:16:02Z")
I’d rather they made out in the stacks, at least that’s quiet and it won’t damage the books (if done properly.) [sub](I once made out in the stacks… while working as a library assistant!!!)[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/7 "2002-11-24T19:04:37Z")
Security had to handcuff a 14-yr old at our library when he copped an attitude. He’d been told to “knock it off” when found necking with a girlfriend, and when remonstrated with tried to hit a cop. Bad move. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/8 "2002-11-24T19:08:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by matt\_mcl \* > \*\*[sub](I once made out in the stacks… while working as a library assistant!!!)[/sub] \*\* Only made out? Ha, that’s nothing. The challenge is sex in the stacks (at least depending on what library you’re in). ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/9 "2002-11-24T21:29:06Z")
Many libraries are becoming more like coffeehouses now, since Borders and Barnes and Noble both allow people to grab a book off the shelf and read it right there. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![WSLer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@WSLer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WSLer)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/10 "2002-11-24T22:31:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\*Many libraries are becoming more like coffeehouses now, since Borders and Barnes and Noble both allow people to grab a book off the shelf and read it right there. ☹ \*\* Are you suggesting that a employee should stand next to customers with a stopwatch loudly intoning that said customers only has 2 minutes to persue a particular book and decided whether or not to buy it, and after the 2 minutes are up, if the customer has not made a decision, the customer will be forced to leave the store?:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Way to build up good customer service. ---
**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/11 "2002-11-24T22:49:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by WSLer \* > \*\*Are you suggesting that a employee should stand next to customers with a stopwatch loudly intoning that said customers only has 2 minutes to persue a particular book and decided whether or not to buy it, and after the 2 minutes are up, if the customer has not made a decision, the customer will be forced to leave the store?:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: > > Way to build up good customer service. \*\* :rolleyes: :rolleyes: yourself. I mean, pleease. There’s a HUGE difference between flipping through a book for five or ten minutes, and reading the whole thing, breaking the spine, creasing pages, and possibly spilling on it (especially if there’s a coffeeshop nearby). And why would you need more than two minutes anyways? Two or three minutes is long enough to decide if you want to read a paperback or basically any fiction book. You _could_ make a case for a longer read being necessary to decide if you want to buy a reference or non-fiction book. But if you want to sit around reading a paperback for 30 minutes in the Starbucks, you’re basically just being cheap. That’s way longer than you need to decide if you want to buy the book, and if you don’t want to buy it then you’re just damaging the merchandise. If you’re lounging around reading it because you’re _going_ to buy it on your way out, then by all means go ahead. My 2 cents. ---
**Author:** ![Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/2bfe46/32.png) [@Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xavier)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/12 "2002-11-24T22:54:32Z")
> [@](#): > > There’s a HUGE difference between flipping through a book for five or ten minutes, and reading the whole thing, breaking the spine, creasing pages, and possibly spilling on it (especially if there’s a coffeeshop nearby). Don’t tell my mother. > [@](#): > > And why would you need more than two minutes anyways? I’m stupid. > [@](#): > > But if you want to sit around reading a paperback for 30 minutes in the Starbucks, you’re basically just being cheap. Waittaminnute boys… _she’s on to me…_ ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/13 "2002-11-24T22:57:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Waenara \* > \*\*And why would you need more than two minutes anyways? \*\* Once I tried that. Flipping through a book for a couple of minutes to see if I wanted it, that is. Ended up reading the whole thing for about an hour before finally getting up and buying it. Darn soul-stealing books. ---
**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/14 "2002-11-24T23:03:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SpazCat \* > \*\*Once I tried that. Flipping through a book for a couple of minutes to see if I wanted it, that is. Ended up reading the whole thing for about an hour before finally getting up and buying it. Darn soul-stealing books. \*\* I knooow. What’s up with that? You just sitting there innocently perusing the shelves and then all of a sudden it sucks you in. Reminds me of this poem by Ishmael Reed [beware : do not read this poem](http://mbhs.bergtraum.k12.ny.us/cybereng/poetry/beware.html) “This poem has had you up to here / belch” Believe me, I understand the addictive power of literature, and I already spend waaay to much money on books. ---
**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/15 "2002-11-24T23:04:33Z")
I forgot to add, see my sig ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/16 "2002-11-24T23:13:30Z")
I’ve done that, too. I have also, when shopping with my sister or one of my friends, had all my books picked out\* and had to wait for them to finish, so sat down and read one of my intended purchases until they were ready–if I’d’ve paid first, I don’t think they’d have let me go back into the store and sit down afterwards. \*You know, the point at which you can’t carry any more books or can’t afford more than what you’re already carrying. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/17 "2002-11-24T23:39:51Z")
People who make too much noise in libraries are rude, selfish, inconsiderate boors. People who steal from libraries are low-down, no-good, thieving varmints. People who vandalize or damage library books are lowlife trash. Then there are people who vandalize or damage rare, irreplaceable, or one-of-a-kind library books (as was happening so much at the Library of Congress that they had to institute ever-stricter rules on who can access the stacks at all; they long ago went to a “closed stack” system, where patrons have to fill out a slip of paper requesting the book, then it’s brought out to them a few minutes later, but more recently I understand even LoC employees are subject to restrictions on who can go where). _These_ people are Vandals, Visigoths, ignorant barbarians, mindless savages, termites who gnaw at the foundations of civilization, and ought to go live in the woods like Ted Kaczynski. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/18 "2002-11-25T00:07:22Z")
**MEBuckner** , yup, that’s the policy the Library of Congress has gone to all right. I went there this summer and they wouldn’t even let me into any place that had books without a library card. To get a library card I had to first prove that I was a student and then fill out forms for close to 15 minutes so they could have my information and issue me a photo ID. They checked that ID when I went into the library and searched my bag to make sure I didn’t steal anything when I left. On top of all this, there’s a security check just walking into the library screening both you and your belongings as you pass through metal detectors. I didn’t find out about late fees but I think it includes a beheading. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/19 "2002-11-25T08:30:40Z")
Calvin: OMIGOSH! This library book is was due two days ago! What will they **do**? Are they going to interrogate me and beat me up?! Are they going to break my knees?? Will I have to sign some confession??? Mom: They’ll fine you ten cents. Now go return it. Calvin: The way some of those librarians look at you, I naturally assumed the consequences would be more dire. ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393/20 "2002-11-25T12:08:25Z")
I’m still scared of the librarian at my university departmental library, six years after graduating. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-and-read-and-dont-vandalize-books-either/138393.md?page=2)