A shout-out to librarians

After describing the bustling activity going on in a library, Susan Freudenheim writes, “All this activity puts to rest the memory of the library as a place where you have to ‘shush’ ” [“The Latest Chapter in L.A. Libraries,” Aug. 11].

Librarians, as lively and creative professionals, wish to distance ourselves from the “shush” stereotype aggravated by the recent emergence of the Librarian Action Figure. Also, we want to include as many people as possible, including those to whom silence is oppressive.

While I, too, do not want to be limited to the title of “shusher,” I feel there is value in quiet. It is part of the library’s history as a place of study and learning.

ANDREA N. RUBIN

San Francisco