Too much noise in the National Library

Jul 23, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
Traditionally, the public library used to be a quiet place where one can concentrate on one’s reading or research without noisy distractions. This policy seemed to have been abandoned at the Georgetown Public Library. Beginning with the external sources of noises, some of the buses plying the Main Street route, like the Albert Street/Lamaha buses, make no attempt to mute the noisy music they emit as they wait at the long red traffic light at the round-about by the Bank of Guyana.
Worse than the noise from some of these buses are the so called “music carts” which blast music as though advertising to clients on the upper floors of the Bank of Guyana building. Having made these complaints, a possible solution is to establish a “silent zone” in the blocks surrounding the library. A constable or audio visual surveillance can be set up at the roundabout to record the noise-makers which would lead to the appropriate prosecution of the culprits.
Now to the internal sources of noises. With it being summer, it was apparently necessary to hold classes for kids in the library. This is done both on the upper and lower floors. The noise from these children is the same kind one encounters when passing by one of our primary schools during a normal school day. One cannot expect a no-noise situation when holding classes with young children.
The library is pretty large and there must be some sector away from the main area where these summer classes can be accommodated. The noise affecting users of the library would be far less intrusive if these students are housed in another section, instead of just off the main section where others are trying to concentrate. Even better, why not use the school by St. Georges Cathedral which is just a cat’s meow away. School is out and the building is currently not being used.
A second source of noise derives from some of the library staff themselves. While there always seems to be staff cleaning shelves and wiping dust off books, they generally discharge these chores in relative silence. However, there are other library staff who seem to have learnt to whisper in a sawmill. There are stalls in Bourda Market that are less noisy. The Staff needs to conduct their conversations without seeming to employ megaphones to do so.
The system in place to hand bags is pretty efficient. The administration must be commended for this. There is internet available at the library but for some reason, there is currently no access to it. None of the staff seem to know when this situation will be corrected. Meanwhile, users of the library are expected to do their research etc. without the use of the ultimate source of information, the internet. I hope this situation is resolved soon. These are all relatively minor problems that can be solved and once again make our library the sanctuary it used to be, where one can come and read in relative silence and with minimum distractions.
Nathaniel Hinckson

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