Nothing changes.

Now the new library extension is beginning to settle down, the time has come to take the long awaited decisions on how it's working with regard to noise and environment and culture and so on.

Today saw the first of two chances for library staff to discuss what we felt about food, talking, phones and so on. And as ever there was the usual range of opinion from "ban the lot" to "we've got to change with the times". And, as ever, it was all pretty heartfelt.

Normally, I get really involved in the debate (for good or bad!) and find it hard to step back. (Just ask former colleagues). But as a prior appointment (with an enthusiastic sales rep) meant I turned up ten minutes late, I actually managed to sit back and observe the discussion for a change which was interesting. I guess being new it enabled me to compress quite a lot of learning about how people react and express themselves into a short space of time.

Nothing's decided yet - next week the remainder of the library staff get a chance to do the same and I might go to compare sessions (as I missed the briefing bit at the beginning) - but I suspect the 'zoning' word won't be far from the final plan.

Whether a compromise, "middle of the road" solution like that (the Head's words) satisfies either of the far ends of the range of opinion remains to be seen.

Perhaps that is the solution: a library in the middle of the road...