This assignment is going to evaluate a population observation in an establishment, the natural set up of the institution that the assignment is going to assign, and using and developing observation and investigating skills I am going to evaluate the establishment sphere and the activities that are transpiring within its parameter after two frequent visit of the place. There are several questions that are going to be addressed by this assignment based on the population relation of the establishment chosen. The establishment that I have chosen is the public library in my home town (Poll & Boekhorst, 2007).
So that we integrate this subjects there is dire need to define the key word in this assignment which is population, this is because this is an analysis of the population in the public library setup (Ramey, 1995). Population is scholarly defined as a set group of people who harbours same agenda. From the population in the library I was able to generalize site observation and gain the dynamics of a library, and was able to interpret different communication method used in these institutions both verbally and non verbal and enhance my observation with communication.
Library Physical Setting
The setup of the library was the establishment that I favoured to inject in this assignment after my two frequents there. According to Poll & Boekhorst (2007) the atmosphere of this establishment harbours a sober mood that enhances learning, peace and calm within the corridors and only a few hushed murmurs. The inside is a very serene atmosphere with the patrons fully engrossed with the printed articles they are busy summarizing or trying to digest the content on those materials. Others were on the cyber space section only the sound of the keyboards and the photocopying machines humming sweet mechanical song as they are engaged into operation now and then.
The librarian all suited in formal dress code with a stern sincere face that suggest that silence is the order of the day and if flaunted can result to serious penalties. The supporting staff are all smiles and ready to assist where possible and with the best of their knowledge. The smell of old books mixed with the pine encroaching the air as everywhere there are book arranged in alphabetical order in rows of wooden shelves made from pine numbered according to the subject of the books they shelves (Ramey, 1995).
Communication
Communication in the library was very restricted and there were notices nearly in all the corners for maintaining silence at all time. There was however some teens that every now and then they would be cautioned on noise or conversation, and in the last visit one of the previous caution teenagers was escorted out by the support staff after another patron complained of the amount noise emission from the evicted patron. The communication here is only allowed to be verbally if in hushed voices out of the reach of the neighbouring patron, however the patrons are using nonverbal language and only verbal when addressing the librarian and the support staff for queries. Ramey (1995) articulates that the communication is mostly limited to only asking for assistance or when leaving the premise. Outside the corridors signs are displayed neatly showing where the locations of facilities and location of material for certain subjects are located with silence caution signs in every corner, rules and regulations are also well displayed in the information board. For asking for assistance from the support staff one has either walk up to the front desk or raise their had up, then the support staff would get the cue and immaculately walk to the table that the person with the query is stationed. The queries were done in a hushed manner or in signs as the support staffs were all equipped with their own sign language with the patrons.
Culture and Norms of the Library
The culture of the library generally has been observed with every states having similar standard, though most practiced by most libraries are based on strict regulation imposed on the patrons and the library staff by the committee that manages and runs the faculties. Library has been viewed to be a source of knowledge and a serene environment for taking self tutored studies or a place for doing own research and assignments (Ramey, 1995). This is an archive for information and is usually like the public library that I frequented that is free for the population of the state and that there is no gender discrimination but a facility for all.
The norms that are associated with the library that I frequented were mostly regulation that were mandating that the physical setup be at all times remain and be compliant with a learning sphere with total silence maintained at all time. Some of the most advertised and prohibited rules were noise, cigarettes smoking, drinks and food stuffs, bags nor were parcels not allowed in the library there was a place that was provided for keeping personal belonging not allowed in the library. Only the ladies were allowed in the library with their handbags, this I observed that others like the male bag packs were not allowed inside the library. These rules were at all times required to be adhered to and those found flaunting them were asked to either leave the premise or stop them by the library staff. The time for opening was standard and there were no extensions on the closing time and the patrons were like automated machines steering on course with the norms placed by the library management (Poll & Boekhorst, 2007).
Adjusting to the new environment
At first I had a complex time adjusting in the new atmosphere although it was much like the classroom setup. However, the only thing I had trouble getting along with is leaving my bag at the entrance as each and every time I was cautioned by entering with the bag pack in the library. However, the experience was mind blowing all the books that I had been only longing to read but could not afford due limitation in finances were all there. I had an excellent time which I am quite sure I will make it a regular activity in my programs to once be frequenting a public library. The place offered solace from the busy traffic and human activities noises, the place can help one gain ample knowledge and proper academically. Within the complex there was no gender or sex limitation as all were in accordance to the favoured sitting location allowed to assume any sitting location (Ramey, 1995). These facets made it easy for even new patron disregarding their nationality, sex and race to blend in because there was a welcoming and homely atmosphere regulated by less communication just an occasional nod here and there.
Population at the Library
Most of the patrons I noticed were middle age in their late thirties, and they were very busy with the materials they were reading. Most were in company of two or three all in working attires smartly dressed, they all had the corporate style of clothing. Every now and then another group or a sole patron would come in this was during the lunch and in the evening. The library was mostly deserted after lunch and then people would start flowing from four in the evening till closing time. From my observation the middle aged patron that I took keen interest on were either researching for work materials and others just were reading materials that suggested they were in pursuing further education (Ramey, 1995). The youth that were in the library as I later got acquitted with one of them said acclaimed that although library is not viewed as a cool place, though it is a safe haven for those who are interested in furthering their education. Â From the observation this were mostly the bright kids that faired well in their education except for a view who came just to pass time and annoy other patrons in the library.
Experience from the visits
The experiences were awesome considering the incident of forgetting to leave the bag pack at the entrance bags section. I enjoyed the serene ambiance that was relaxing from the hustle and bustle of the crowded and noisy experience in the school library. The first trip and the second trip were all pretty the same although the second was intriguing watching a rowdy patron been escorted out of the library because of some noisy racket he was involved in earlier and complains were lodged which resulted to his eviction (Poll & Boekhorst, 2007).
Conclusion
This experience has equipped me with ample observation techniques that enhance my data collection techniques that would also add value to my learning of this subject. Integration of the analysis and evaluation of the setup of the library has not only helped but has offered a new venture that is favourable for enhancing my learning ability as I have discovered the importance of frequenting a library outside school. The knowledge that I have acquired from this endeavour is going to govern my behaviour beyond the school years as the discipline I had to be contend with has shown me the value of discipline.