Noisy Library...

I wonder if the new National Library situated at Bugis Junction has some changed rules. Today was the first time I stepped into the central lending library session at basement 1, and there was a lot of people there, borrowing and browsing the books. I must say that the library has successfully attracted a hoard of people there, whether or not they are really interested in borrowing any books.

I saw families bringing their children to the library, and what a sight to have the children, lots of them, running around the borrowing machines and lounge area, talking loudly, screaming and crying. Then, there are adults, talking loudly to children, discussing among themselves, without awareness of the people around who trying to read, and frowning.

Was it my mistake that this area is actually not part of the library? I thought that is rather like a lounge outside the library instead of a place for people to sit on the sofas and read. Looking around, I hope to find some 'please keep quiet' sign, and surprsingly, none was found (I hope I missed the sign, rather than it was not put up at all). I gave up trying to read, went to the borrowing machine, got my book and left, with a sigh.

The library, is a place to read, QUIETLY. If parents have any intention to bring their children to the library to borrow books, they should seriously educate them not to run around the shelves like some playground, and to keep QUIET at all times. I really think that parents is serious about bringing the reading habit to the children, they should browse the books with the children, let them know this is a place to learn and not play.

The inconsiderate and rather 'wet market' attitude of Singaporeans has brought a rather unsightly mark to this elegantly and newly built library.