For this assignment, I decided to go to the Kingsport Public Library. There is no better place to go to listen to someone than a library. Every slight whimper of a word can be heard throughout the entire building. I came here with my girlfriend, Emily Dingus, as she is an avid reader and loves to visit this location. We came here on January 28, 2020 around 2’oclock in the afternoon.
As you first enter, this library seems to be just like any other library, as you would expect. All people work silently as they conduct their business, whatever it may be. Some younger people come to read or study in the silent and calm atmosphere that is present here. Older citizens come to find and check out interesting books. Others come just a place with access to free Wi-Fi, phone and laptop chargers, and access to computers that they may not have access to anywhere else.
We came to a section of study cubbies with charging outlets. Emily read as I listened to any and all noises that could be heard from this area. One younger male, most likely in his teenage years, sat across from us reading a book while listening to music in headphones. He was still and made little to no noise.
There was an older gentleman sitting across the room conducting what seemed to be a business phone call on his cell phone. The man’s voice was very prominent as the rest of the room was dead silent. His deep vocal range echoed “Yes” and “No” and “Exactly” down every corner of the room. This was probably not the best place to be conducting a business call, but it did not seem to bother anyone.
There were small echoes of beeps coming from a copy/printer located down the hall by the computers. Someone was printing off quite a lot of papers as the beeps were not few or far between.
The staff and volunteers that worked at the library worked just as quietly as all of its patrons. Only when asked questions did they speak. However, they spoke with normal speaking voices when they did, breaking the silences which filled the rooms.
A small child could be heard beginning to cry in the background. However, the child’s mother was quick to console her baby as to not disturb any library goer as they worked.
The Kingsport Public Library is a peaceful and quite place to get work done, relax, study, or just enjoy a good book. The entire building is silent, but those who do speak, speak with large powerful voices. It is a culturally diverse place. People of all genders, races, ages, and sexual orientations are welcomed with open arms. It is easy to believe that libraries are becoming obsolete, but after this excursion, I believe there is more to a library than just books.