An open letter to the students at University of Chicago
Dear fellow students,
It has come to my attention that some of you do not understand proper library etiquette. Now, lest you think I intend to channel a 1950s librarian who shushes students with school-marmish irritation, I do not begrudge you some occasional quiet chatter to relieve soul-crushing work of slugging through yet another treatise on something or other. No, no. I refer here to the implications of the "place holder."
A stack of books and papers left on a table is generally acknowledged within the Regenstein library as a promise to return. It's intention is to signal "Hey, I just popped out for a moment, either into the stacks for another book or over to Einstein Bagels for lunch, and I'll be back to resume this joyless task shortly." It is not, let me repeat NOT, an invitation to plunk down on the opposite side of the table and proceed to sniffle, snort, pick your head, noisily click out text messages, and make dinner plans with your friend who has also invaided said table. Such actions are extremely distracting and utterly counter to considerate library behavior considering the fact that there are at least 50 other tables and some hundreds of carrels throughout the library at which you can happily carry on with the above stated activities.
I would appreciate your attention to these guidelines in future.
Sincerely,
Crabby graduate student
It has come to my attention that some of you do not understand proper library etiquette. Now, lest you think I intend to channel a 1950s librarian who shushes students with school-marmish irritation, I do not begrudge you some occasional quiet chatter to relieve soul-crushing work of slugging through yet another treatise on something or other. No, no. I refer here to the implications of the "place holder."
A stack of books and papers left on a table is generally acknowledged within the Regenstein library as a promise to return. It's intention is to signal "Hey, I just popped out for a moment, either into the stacks for another book or over to Einstein Bagels for lunch, and I'll be back to resume this joyless task shortly." It is not, let me repeat NOT, an invitation to plunk down on the opposite side of the table and proceed to sniffle, snort, pick your head, noisily click out text messages, and make dinner plans with your friend who has also invaided said table. Such actions are extremely distracting and utterly counter to considerate library behavior considering the fact that there are at least 50 other tables and some hundreds of carrels throughout the library at which you can happily carry on with the above stated activities.
I would appreciate your attention to these guidelines in future.
Sincerely,
Crabby graduate student