In the UK, Reference libraries (exclusively non fiction and/or local studies material) are usually areas for silent study. The normal, fiction/non-fiction/children's libraries tolerate a certain amount of noise but will shush people if they get too noisy, or ask them to leave. I still shush people in that 'librarian' tone of shush when they talk during choir rehearsal... old habits die hard!

Oh and Spaw - I know exactly what you mean... I spent many a happy Saturday cruising around the bookshelves in W H Smiths (Newsagent/bookstore/Stationers), letting one rip surreptitiously and looking sternly at the person next to me, wrinkling my nose and stepping away.... Ah... innocent fun!

LTS