Oh, she features all right. The cliched “dragon lady” librarian. Madam Irma Pince.———————“A warning: If you rip, tear, shred, bend, fold, deface, disfigure, smear, smudge, throw, drop, or in any other manner damage, mistreat, or show lack of respect towards this book, the consequences will be as awful as it it within my power to make them.”—Irma Pince, written inside a library book———————

As for how the kids behave – keep in mind that most of the Japanese that you see abroad will be college age or older and thus more likely to have their stuff together. Most of the Japanese studying in public libraries in Japan will be middle and high school students so you get a mixed bag of serious study and equally serious jackassery. Most will still have a loads of different pens, however.

I am an overgrown child, and can correct you on that one: http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Irma_Pince

Did I really just link to that? I need to get out more.

Things that are 100% consistent in my experience: – usually sitting quietly on their own – the girls often sitting 正座  style on the chairs – a portable digital translator (rarely a laptop) – straight shoulders, even when leaning forward on elbows intently – no unnecessary clutter or untidiness on the desk – no fidgeting whatsoever, even the pencil/pen is held perfectly still when not writing – shoes sometimes removed and tucked neatly under desk (especially girls) – literally oblivious to the world around them (I once purposely left my kanji SRS open on my acer to try and attract an adorable girl in flowery tights walking by, but to no avail)

I just wondered if they were a bit more gregarious or if they group studied in their own country?