by TheMadDreamer

Created on: May 18, 2008

I've worked in libraries for a number of years, and have spent many other years inside them as a university student. I've seen and heard all the things that will drive both staff and patrons to annoyance. Some of them are pretty annoying in the normal human sense, some of them are simply gross and sickening. I could wax on for ages about the horrible things I've had to deal with as a library assistant, but they won't really help when annoying patrons. They're the kind of things annoying patrons do to the staff and not to each other. But if you a library user, doing the next ten things is a sure fire way of annoying everyone around you, patrons and staff. So, in descending order of annoyance (one, being the most annoying):

TEN: ALWAYS LEAVE DEADLINES 'TIL THE LAST MINUTE
This is a subtle one, but it works, especially in academic libraries. You will take up computers, break computers and block up the printer queue for many hours. It's especially handy if you can cause one or more printers, or photocopiers, to run out of paper. This will annoy everyone, especially if it's a busy exam or assignment period.

NINE: SPREAD YOURSELF AROUND
When studying or researching, find a nice big table and throw your books around, pieces of paper, notebooks. Anything that will generally make the area unusable for anyone else. It's always a good idea to leave the table on occasion. Allowing your follow patrons to see what books you are holding ransom. This works especially well in the assignment season in a university library. You'll be lucky if your fellow students don't steal the books simply because they're pissed off that you're not sharing.

EIGHT: IGNORE ALL SIGNS
Especially the helpful ones that tell you where to go and find what subject areas. Ask at the main issue desk for directions instead, at a busy time of day. Preferably at lunch time. Not only will you piss off the library staff who are eager to get to lunch, but you will also annoy the patrons who are queueing up behind you. You could also try asking the library staff vague questions about books, backing up other people wherever you go.

SEVEN: 'REFERENCE ONLY' BOOKS
When you do go to get your books issued by a library assistant pick up as many 'reference only' copies as possible. Not only will you hamper the library assistant as he/she has to explain the meaning of 'reference only', and look up the books on the computer to find out whether there are any copies you can take out, but... The reference copies will be put behind

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