Libraphobia?

A few weeks ago at a party I was talking to a woman who told me that she had a fear of libraries. While she could concede that this was an irrational phobia, it was none the less a real fear for her which had physical manifestations and prevented her from comfortably entering libraries. Intrigued, I later did some internet research on the fear of libraries.
There appears to be no end of things people can develop phobias towards ranging from Alliumphobia, the fear of garlic, to Zemmiphobia, the fear of the great mole rat. While some of these phobias seem quite logical such as Lilapsophobia, the fear of tornadoes and hurricanes, others such as Octophobia, the fear of the No.8, or Euphobia, the fear of hearing good news, do require some special understanding. While I have discovered Bibliophobia, the fear of books, so far I have not been able to find any official name for a fear of libraries or librarians.
There are however quite a number of comments from people who share this fear of libraries, and quite a variety in the reasons given for this fear. Some people’s fear of libraries stems from their bibliophobia. This can occur in people who have learning disabilities or difficulty with reading and so their fear of books is easy to understand. Others who are quite happy with physical books, are petrified by the prospect of having to use the library catalogue in order to find the books they want. These concerns seem to be based on either a fear of appearing foolish by not being able to operate the system, or that they might somehow be able to do some irreparable damage to the computer.
Some found libraries oppressive places where they are constantly told what they can and can’t borrow and how they can and can’t behave. It is true that libraries do have rules, but the important thing to remember is that generally these rules are in place for the benefit of the users themselves. At Masterton Library for example we have a general issuing period of three weeks and if no one else has requested the item in the meantime, it can be renewed for another three weeks. After that we ask that the item be returned and impose fines if it isn’t. This rule is simply so that we can be fair to other borrowers and ensure that everybody has reasonable access to the collection.
Similarly the issue of quiet in the library can be off putting for some but again this is done in the recognition of the library being a public space and needing to meet the interests of other users. We are quite happy to allow a reasonable amount of noise but will try to ensure there is no shouting etcetera, as many people use the library for reading or study and appreciate the quiet. It should also be noted that libraries are not always the quiet places they once were. At Masterton Library we often have musical performances or shows by storytellers, and while these shouldn’t necessitate any visits from noise control, they can get quite loud.

Some people have a fear of libraries stemming from a negative experience they have had with a librarian in the past. Unfortunately we do sometimes have to tell people things they don’t want to hear, such as an item not being available or there being a fine on their card. There is no excuse however for this not being done in a respectful and non-judgemental manner, and you should also expect this in response to any question you need to ask a member of staff.
The thing we as librarians most need to convey to the public is that we are here to help them, indeed it’s a major part of our job profiles. This no chore however, in fact it is very satisfying to give someone the book or information they want. It adds variety to our days and gives us a chance to use our knowledge and experience. Nobody should feel any trepidation about asking a member of staff for assistance, whether it be asking for the key to the toilet, or for the definition of Logizomechanophobia (answer - fear of computers).
It is a natural human instinct to be wary of the unfamiliar. We all feel some degree of anxiety when faced with something new or different, and for many people the library is a place and a system they are unfamiliar with. For some it can graduate to the level of a phobia. For others it may not be that bad but may make them reluctant to ask for help, and if they can’t find what they want themselves, they leave the library unsatisfied. A challenge for librarians is therefore to recognise that what seems logical and everyday to us, can seem quite foreign and even daunting to those outside the profession. The challenge for those not comfortable with libraries is to put aside these anxieties and past perceptions and venture into the library. I hope it is one you take up as there’s so much on offer.

Jon Adams
Community Outreach Librarian
Masterton District Library