As a distance learning student, sometimes I need to escape the comforts of home and get into working mode so I chose the library for my studying salvation. Unfortunately, the library seems to have changed considerably since I was growing up or even since I was last a student.

On my frist trip to my local library, I took a seat and pulled out my macbook and happily began studying. Taking yourself to a purposeful study place can often help the psyche. After around ten or fifteen minutes, a couple of women decided that the library was a great place to have a catch up chat. And not only did they catch up with each other, the whole library were able to know what little Johnny had done at Nursery school that day or how one woman’s husband was taking her away for some anniversary. And the worst thing is, no one told them to shut up.

On the last trip to the library I was completely disgusted again. I sat down at a table, noticing the increased noise and with a horrible realization, knew it had to be half term. Kids should use the library, I am all for young readers but do they have to do it so noisily? I pulled out my computer as normal and booted it up, thinking, if I turned up my volume, maybe I could block them out. Sadly, without deafening myself, it was impossible to block out the shouts of children. And again, no one, not even their parents hushed them.

Another thing is mobile phones. Last time I checked you had to have them either switched off or on silent and you most certainly were not allowed to talk on them. But on another trip to my studying sanctuary a woman answered her phone and talked not once, but twice rather loudly. I could not believe it. I, as a responsible library user always maintain my phone is set to vibrate and never would I dream of answering it no matter how important the call.

Are we living in a society nowadays where we’re far too politically correct and oh so concerned with people’s human rights that we can’t even hush noisy people in a public library.

When I was growing up, you were quiet in the library and if you made so much as a squeal of excitement, you were told to “shh” by a stern looking Librarian. And adults, really, they should know better.

Am I such a grumpy old cow that this really irritates me or is it the simple fact that I’m looking for a quiet refuge to study away from the distractions of home? I can’t use my school library as its based in another country, let alone another city so what am I to do? Struggle to concentrate and fail my course or really, what is the alternative?