Library Headache

Photo by: Ashley Alonzo

I don’t know about you all, but I need silence or instrumental music to be able to get inspired to write papers. Usually, the library is a great place to find that inner peace and for my muse to come down. Lately, however, trying to write papers and study there has been a nightmare. From the library workers to students coming in, they all have zero respect and consideration for those who are making an effort to get their study on.

I know that side conversations happen, that we all need a break from studying and that cellphones will ring eventually, but playing videogames and yelling at your teammate “Sup’ ma boy” from across the room is simply not acceptable in there.

It is time that we (I) remind our students (you) that the library is supposed to be like that one from the cartoon “Recess” where the old lady shushed everybody. It is a place for concentration, inner thinking and simply studying.

Here is a list of things that annoy students (not only me, if that’s what you were thinking) and how to solve them:

1. Library workers calling and training new students

Please close the doors in your offices. They are made of glass and you can still see what is going on. Even when you make an effort to speak quietly, we can hear you, so when you don’t even try to, it is worse! I completely understand that new workers need to be trained and talked to, but I discovered this super cool technique to be considered with those studying. It is called “whispering” and it is a win-win approach.

2. Student workers at the desk talking to 5268 friends

I am a Resident Assistant, so believe me when I tell you I understand it is sad and boring to sit at a desk for hours when you already did all your homework, but keep in mind that others have not. When you think you are being quiet, you might still be bothering that person sitting in the table right in front of the main desk.

By all means, say hi to your friends, be social, step out and interact with students every once in a while, after all, that is your job, too. Nevertheless, be thoughtful of the volume of your conversations as it may confuse easily distracted students.

3. Loud groups having meetings

Some classes demand for you to work in groups, and the library is in fact a great place for you to meet. However, meet in the private classrooms, they are in place for that purpose! If all of the rooms are taken and you cannot find a private space, there are plenty of other options for your group to meet. For example, the couches in front of the atrium, any study room from Bennett Hall, Brown Hall or Martin Hall, the O’Dell Lounge, an empty classroom … the list goes on.

By finding a more private space for your group to meet, even if it is within the library, everybody wins. You and your group are freer to talk louder and interact better, and simultaneously others can continue to study without any interruptions. 

4. If I can hear your music, it’s too loud

I know that all the things mentioned on this list are the reason many of you wear headphones, but keep in mind that you might also be a distraction. If your music is loud enough for the person next to you to hear it, then you need to lower the volume. I understand that you probably need to get stuff done, however, if people are talking too loud or bothering you to the point where the volume needs to be that high, then maybe you should go talk to the student at the desk and ask them to control the situation. In addition, it is not healthy for your ears!

Although it might not seem like it, this is a friendly reminder that we need to take proper care of our common spaces. This does not mean just putting the trash in its place, it means that we need to make everybody’s experience better when in a common space. It means to choose to wave instead of yelling across the library, or putting headphones on to hear that TED Talk you were assigned for class. It means to choose to be a better classmate!

Signed: a concerned, friendly, library rat.

#RespectTheLibrary