I have never been in a library where I am promoted to leave if I want to study!
I visited Croydon Central Library recently and discovered a ridiculous table pass system whereby blue and red tables are for studying tables (and are always full) and yellow tables for no studying (which are always empty). Students are turned away, yet the yellow tables are empty ALL DAY.

Evidently the 'study pass' system does NOT work, as there are different fluxes of study-ers and non-study-ers in the library at different times.

Sitting at a yellow table, students are told off and forced to leave if studying. In one particular case two, (note two), boys were forced to move to a tiny table with one chair. Thus, we had to pretend to be 'leisurely reading' in order to sit at a yellow table!

On another occasion I was resigned to squish on a sofa next to the noisy escalator and near empty yellow tables (!!), studying for my degree! I was then told to move my books and if I continue showing opposition I will be asked to leave. I am a 20-year-old woman sat quietly studying for a degree! How does this promote a library's purpose?!

All students are patronised, argued with and discriminated against. Particularly as older people 'studying' on sofas were not told to move books or to leave. Plus the nonsensical  'only a 30-minute break' rule is patronising. Why visit this condescending institution!

My easy solution suggestions are as follows:
1. Promote studying in all areas of the library at desks.
2. Sofas and a designated area for 'recreational' reading.
3. An increased amount of tables and study areas as there is excess space on all floors.
4. Explaining to 'recreational' readers that at exam periods there will be a lack of space in the library.

This is a free country and as a local resident I deserve the right to peacefully work in my local library.

All the students I met that were being told off for sitting at empty tables were exceedingly polite to the aggressive staff.  A student sat on the floor, which they were told off for, joked and I quote: "I'm on the library's most wanted list!".

I urge other students to stand up against the staff, and to write in to your local papers and complain to the library so that we stand together against this unjust dictatorship. We may be young and studious but we deserve to study, and to be heard, as soon we will be the generation in charge.

Elinor Meredit
(Local student and ex-Croydon-library user).

 


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