Library Urchins
Now that I am working at a "normal" library again instead of the bookmobile department, I am reacquainting myself with certain archetypes among the children who invade after school every afternoon. Perhaps you have met these as well.
No "inside voice"
This is likely the most familiar: the child who is utterly oblivious to the fact that voices should be lowered when inside, even when inside a non-library building. LIBRARIAN SHUSH MODE ACTIVATED!
My headphones mean you can't hear me!
Computer use is a big draw, and we check out headphones for computer users who want audio. Some of the kids are unaware that their reaction noises to the events in the games they play are audible across the library. There was once a kid who would make startled sounds while watching lets-play videos of "Five Nights At Freddie's." These are less obnoxious than the first category, but shushing skills are honed further by such kids.
Missing the point of being polite
The inspiration for writing this tonight was two boys who are regular visitors, and seem to have been schooled on polite forms of address but completely missed the details for civility beyond that. "Sir" and "Ma'am" have never been regularly uttered with better intentions or less regard for civility. Your undivided attention is demanded NOW with agitated movements, occasional counter knocking, demanding stage whispers (if you're lucky) and frequent shoving matches between the two to be first in line. But at least they use respectful terms, right?
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Is it possible to use the headphones that have a little mic on them? I believe most of the ones sold at Five-Below now have that. Then you could send the mic audio with a slight delay (the memory buffer in the sound card might be enough on its own) to the output audio so that they hear themselves and how loud they are? Most of those mics are set for the frequency range of a human's voice and filtered (cheaply) to just catch the closest voice.
Too much trouble. Our IT guy wouldn't go for it.
I agree that the newer generations are losing common courtesy skills. Does your library have any plans in place to alleviate some of the conditions you mentioned above?
My suggestion for cattle prods has been summarily rejected, so we're open to other ideas.
What is the cattle prods method?
Poking unruly children with an electrified goad stick. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattle_prod
Omg! This is hilarious! Are you allowed to restrict their library time if they misuse it or are disruptive?
Yes, and the threat of terminating their computer privileges for a day is really far more painful to them than any electroshock devices ever could be.
That's good! I think you're on to something then. Have you brought this idea up to the attention of the other library staff?
It's standard library policy regarding that kind of disruptive behavior.