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Quiet Zones: Libraries in Milwaukee

By Jeff Dahlberg

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 26Jun2009
Word count: 455
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A visit to the Milwaukee Public Library is a quiet way to start off a weekend where I am searching for some much needed relaxation. Even as a child, I found myself escaping to this place, spending time alone with my imagination and all the wonderful places it could bring me to as I read book after book.

The library has certainly changed, though, over the past 15 to 20 years. Yes, those precious books are still there but, in addition, there are the added choices of video and audio material, as well as, the electronic alternatives that I can search for over the internet on a multitude of computers they supply for their patrons.

The job of librarian, a vital part of the library, continues to evolve as well. They have become experts in navigating through a variety of digital tools. They stay one step ahead of the public interpreting our information needs and are always available to help us find and organize it. We sometimes don't take advantage of the professional assistance they can provide when we are in the middle of a big research project for school, business, or personal use. Most of us could never afford the extensive collection of materials housed in a library, so we are grateful for its availability to us.

Since libraries are inhabited by so many different patrons there are all sorts of studies taking place that are attempting to make the libraries more user friendly. Things such as light and noise levels are becoming increasingly important.

I want to take a second to discuss the noise level issue. When I first heard a discussion about it I had to laugh. That's because myself, and I'm sure many others, have been "shushed" so many times through our lifetime, that it seemed impossible that noise could actually be a problem in any library. As it turns out, this time, the public at large isn't the culprit. It turns out that the Noise Criteria (NC) levels must be monitored because of background noise from things like the heating and air-conditioning units, noise coming through the windows from outside, and even the fans on the computers or the fax and copier machines.

The last thing I would like to touch on is the many specialties that our library offers to us and our families. There are Kid Zones (where they even offer help with homework), the Teen Scene (where there's great information on area colleges and college prep programs) and the Spanish Language Resources (available for the growing Hispanic population). I've certainly grown up over these past 20 years; it's great to see one of my favorite places, the local library, has done the same.

Jeff Dahlberg owns and operates this local search directory that provides more than just telephone numbers for your local library. This directory provides telephone numbers, addresses, websites, and more for all your business and government needs in Milwaukee.

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