LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS –
Libraries - those islands of knowledge and quiet where patrons can read or study in peaceful solitude - are not your father's study halls.
With the advent of computers and cell phones, today's libraries are much livelier and noisier places.
People often use library computers as communication tools in booking reservations, checking bank accounts and downloading music, so there's a lot of talking going on.
"This place is loud," said James Mainord, Lackland Library director. "We sometimes get complaints from customers who want the library to be quiet like in the good old days.
"Since that's not going to happen, we've met the challenge with the installation of seven sound-proof booths that keep the noise out - or in - if there's a study group going on."
For most people the technology evolution has been a good thing. Libraries have more customers than ever before.
However, some still visit the library searching for peace and quiet to study for an exam, do homework or concentrate for online courses they're taking via their laptops.
At Lackland's base library - with its 68 customer computers constantly humming to the mouse clicks of technical school students and permanent party Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines - the noise level can be disturbingly high.
The seven new Acoustic Systems booths are configured to seat either two or four people, and are connected in a straight line at the back of the library to combat the noise pollution.
"Customers check the booths out through the front desk just like the computers," Mr. Mainord said. "We use them to proctor exams for college students. It's a great way to give them privacy and quiet while we keep an eye on them."
One booth is designated an audio visual booth with equipment to watch TV, view videos and DVDs or listen to cassettes or CDs.
"Sometimes students have training videos they need to watch, and this allows them to do that," he said.
Mr. Mainord, a veteran military librarian, thinks Lackland's sound-proof booths are unique.
"I've been to stateside libraries and ones in Europe and haven't seen these booths anywhere else," he recalled. "They've been a great success here. If we had seven more we'd fill those up, too!"