The problem with libraries these days...

...is that they aren't what they used to be:

fewer books
no room to study
fewer tables
no silence
lots of bizarre "art"
nothing to learn

plenty of play spaces
no study carrels
no quiet
goofy seating
no beautiful art
no  beautiful design
no talent evident
no courtesy
no kids studying together
lots of kids "making out"
too much fiction
not enough non fiction
lots of newspapers
not enough reference section
huge computer banks
lots of headphones
librarians are babysitters
librarians work and make phone calls at the patrons tables (??)
story time takes precedence
ugly furniture made of cheap materials
molded plastic everything
conversation seating groups
industrial lighting
single floor plan ( no upstairs.)

Anything else?

Remember these:

Quiet
Studious atmosphere

comfortable
helpful people and resources
purposeful

multiple floors of books, new and old

atlases
task lighting
warm, inviting interiors

fewer distractions

classical architecture
study carrels
polite patrons
librarians available working at the desk
group study rooms for necessary conversation

                                                                         

Just remembering the good old days...  I suppose some people have enjoyable libraries still, most I have seen around here are just a sad, little, media savvy, community bus stop or an overdecorated daycare.   (sigh)  Thanks to Google for the snapshots