Libraries have slightly different rules to the average open plan office: in particular, there's a fairly strong expectation of silence and if you can hear peopl

Libraries have slightly different rules to the average open plan office: in particular, there's a fairly strong expectation of silence and if you can hear people talking in the distance, it's relatively unlikely that the conversation directly affects your project -- so less of an urge to tune in. There are often (although, I know, not always) some kind of alcoves to hide if you don't like open-back visibility, too. (Some of the "positive" reports I've heard about open offices at, e.g., Facebook make it sound like they come with expectations of quiet that are as strong as a typical library. ...)