Librarian number four chiming in…
…but like Rysler, I work in a corporate library that isn’t open to the public, so I guess I don’t really have anything to add.
I just wanted to join the librarian pile-on…um, nevermind…
They don’t teach us how to do that at my library school until we pass the comprehensive exam. But we all secretly practice so we can be perfect “shushers” once we graduate. 
Oh…and after I typed up my thoughts, I actually read the other posts, so I’ll just point to the other librarians and let you read what they said.
I’m sitting in the (campus) library right now. It was quiet a minute ago, but there’s a low hum of conversation going on. I don’t know where it’s coming from, but it is very obviously a conversation. If I knew where they’re sitting, I’d give them one of my “Shut the fuck up” glares, but I don’t know where they are and it’s driving me nuts!
I also hate the kids who listen to their music with the headphones blaring. What’s the point of using headphones when it’s disturbing people around you anyway? Might as well bring a boom box and start blasting it right there. Better yet, bring a couple of friends and start jamming in the middle of the quiet study area! Everyone will looooove that!
At least you didn’t write “libary”.
That’s funny, I opened this thread fully expecting to see a rant about people who can’t spell. Boy was I surprised.
Yes. Quite.
Five of us… Is that enough for a cult?
They’d have torn me to pieces! Okay, maybe not…
That’s right, 'cause it’s spelled liberry.
If 5 librarians isn’t enough for a cult, maybe 6 will be. Can I join?
What would you call a group of librarians? A stack?
(I crack myself up!)
I think you’re problem is that you’re telling everyone to be “quite”, and they’re all just confused.
At our library where I work as a student aide, there’s a sign before the reference room that says Please turn off your cell phone ringers. We reserve the right to throw things at you if you don’t.
Grrr, I just knew I’d never make it!!! I’m quite slow.
A librarian pile-on?! Now that could be intellectually stimulating!
Another Librarian checking in. We allow more noise during two hours in the afternoon while the middle school and high school kids are all doing reports. The rest of the time we try to keep it quiet. In a small Library with only one main room it’s the best we can manage.
We don’t shush we give the “Librarian’s Glare of Death”
Actually, I’d be quite content if I could just stop our resident sleaze-oids from monopolizing public terminals to look at highly inappropriate websites. I’ve given up on the cell phone thing (it was like trying to stop the tide).
Am I librarian no. 6 or 7 here? I’ve quite lost count…
Yeah, but isn’t there a way to have both?
You have your discussion and conversation area AWAY from the quiet study area and the stacks. Simple, no?
I go to the library to find books and to study and actually RELAX. It’s hard to do that with Ditzy McDitz yacking away on her cell-phone beside me.
Well, I’m all for libraries as social gathering places within reason. I mean, if you want to do silent reading, you can always check the book out and take it home, no?
Yes, I realize people often do research at libraries, but I’ve never been in a library that was so small it didn’t have some quiet study area. May be an advantage to living in a metropolitan area.