Signs Spotted in Libraries - Neatorama

The list is labeled "Passive Aggressive Library Signs", but they seem pretty straightforward and useful to me. They clearly communicate the frustration of the sign maker, and some are downright hilarious! I would love to know the story behind the sign pictured here. Link

(image credit: Flickr user rockcreek)

It's the old "bats in the belfry" problem.

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A couple of times in the mid 90s I visited the main library of the Ohio State University. It was a dark, labyrinthine structure with lots of isolated areas. There were a few signs posted that said "No Masturbating".

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There's nothing strange about the bats: they are often kept in library buildings, because they eat many of the bugs that would otherwise threaten papers and books. However, it's generally better if they're kept out of the reading rooms.

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I used to be on the Teen Council of the local library. We were having a party in the library basement (with board approval, pizza, and guitar hero) when a bat starts flying around. I ended up having to catch it and put it outside, as one of the few who weren't terrified (or trying to hit it with a broom). So I guess in libraries, it's a genuine concern.

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I read the list. A lot were pretty normal signs. Mostly normal, in other words.

There were only a couple that were anything unusual.

The one about spilling the water on the archival material kinda leaves one asking "why does somebody keep a plant that lives in an open container of water above their non-waterproof work station?"

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read this book and you will understand: http://www.amazon.com/Bats-at-Library-Brian-Lies/dp/061899923X

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That is a literary reference: http://www.amazon.com/Bats-at-Library-Brian-Lies/dp/061899923X

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I had no idea a french fry could be so offensive.

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If you've ever worked at a library, you'll understand the need for most of these. The sense of 'I should be able to do Whatever. I. Want. whenever I want to whatever I want' entitlement is just mindboggling.
I can't tell you how much stuff we have vandalized or stolen.

(Though, I'm a bit puzzled why someone would keep *anything* potentially damaging near archival materials....)

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