
Missoula Public Library Now Lends ‘Sound Meters’
When you live in a neighborhood long enough, you can take for granted some of the things that make your neighborhood unique. For example, almost every neighbor on my block has dogs, including my household. The sound of dogs barking is nothing new. I can usually identify which dogs are barking.
Our offices are on South Reserve Street, one of the busiest streets in town. Almost every day we hear semi-trucks, loud diesel trucks, sirens, and small cars with aggressive mufflers.
During the winter some neighborhoods are filled with the sound of snow blowers. In the summer it is lawn mowers, weed trimmers, and chainsaws. We may also hear fireworks and occasionally a concert.
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If you are curious as to just how loud your neighborhood is, you can find out with the help of the Missoula Public Library and the Missoula Police Department. In case you missed it, the library has added sound meters to its "Library of Things" that they lend out.
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According to its website, the purpose of having access to the sound meters is "to help community members plan events, avoid conflict, and find solutions to concerns surrounding ambient noise levels. MPD hopes this equipment is useful and helps avoid law enforcement action and the use of the criminal justice system to resolve noise complaints."

MPD hopes this equipment is useful and helps avoid law enforcement action and the use of the criminal justice system to resolve noise complaints.
The Missoula Public Library has won multiple impressive awards—not just in the U.S., but internationally.
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Gallery Credit: Chris Wolfe