Letter: Libraries Need Not Be Silent

Published on: 8 Feb, 2026
Updated on: 8 Feb, 2026

From William Dover

recovering trainee accountant and Guildford resident, age 25

I am writing this letter to share with the community some thoughts on my visit to Guildford library on North Street today (Saturday, February 7th). Unfortunately, I will not be returning to the library soon and not for lack of any need for it.

I am not sure if the top floor is meant to be a silent space or not, but staff kept feeling the need to regularly exclaim “be quiet”  when groups of teenagers (who are commendably going far above and beyond by studying on weekends!) had discussions that elevated themselves beyond a murmur.

You might be surprised that what I took issue with was the fact that they were being chided into silence, but if these young people cannot feel welcome in the library to speak their thoughts, to freely discuss and to study independently, then they may never develop these skills at all. They may have nowhere else outside of school or college to do this.

The view of libraries as solely silent spaces is outmoded and is likely one of the reasons that young people are discouraged from coming. The library sorely needs to move with the times and support the needs of people who need to come here as a third space which is not school, home or work; I am lucky enough to have a safe, warm home with a study – many others are not.

The library would do well to consider this. A balancing of different patrons’ needs is necessary, of course, as some will need silent space. This is entirely possible, and indeed what we should expect of a library in the 21st Century.

I feel the blame cannot solely be laid at the feet of local government austerity; many simple and positive changes to the library’s institutional culture could well be made.

Also, it’s 2026, all public buildings should have their own WC.

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