What is the point of having a common area in the library if you can’t talk? I realize there’s a rule that says you should have quiet conversations, but let’s be realistic and look at several factors here.
First, a major avenue of pedestrian traffic sits adjacent to the area. People talk as they’re moving from class to class at levels much louder than the whatever conversations we have at the tables here. People push around large carts that jostle about and make noise… and let’s not forget about HEELS and the rolling suitcases going through the stone walkway.
Second, if you have trouble studying in areas with sound, the library HAS a quiet area which is NEVER full (and no, you can’t consider the stacks to be full if each table has only one student each. They comfortably seat at LEAST four). Let’s also not forget that we’ve got rows of cubicles throughout the stacks.
Third, you could also choose to work in Wood Hall, which has a quiet area AND enclosed rooms for study if you want to further insulate yourself from the rest of the world. If studying in a quiet area is SUCH a concern for you, take the time to register for a room or put yourself in an environment where (1) there is a clear silence rule and (2) a realistic expectation of quietness in the area.
When I get dirty looks from people because I talk in the common area, I realize that these are the kinds of people who I don’t want to interact with on a day-to-day basis. People who can’t learn to make concessions on such a small level just impress onto me a sense of self-interest and a lack of social consciousness (no, I’m not pulling up some civil rights argument here. I’m just talking about common courtesies to others). I make a sincere effort not to talk in the stacks because students are clearly going there to be quiet; otherwise, I choose to stay in the common area if I want to be able to talk to someone who’s at my table.
I guess I understand why Adrian goes to coffeeshops instead. People here really turn to a bunch of thin-skinned idiots around finals time. As for me, I’m just going to continue and participate in my meaningless exercise of civil disobedience and talk like I regularly do. Of course I’ll still shut up when I’m in the library (and let’s not get me started on people who talk in THERE).
Making a mountain out of a molehill,
Chris
I would just note that some people like to enjoy a reasonably quiet space (not silent, but not loud) to study that has an open atmosphere and is less populated, which is what the common area has to offer being that there are only four tables in here whereas the stacks is an enclosed area with table after table after table.
No one has suggested that people in the common area refrain from conversation, but only that they make an effort to keep the volume of their conversations down, as you would in any library.
Understandably, some people may have to make a more conscious effort than others to speak in an “inside-voice” appropriate for a library setting.
By: Rachel O'Neal on April 16, 2008
at 5:09 pm
You’re still disregarding the practical reality that the flux of traffic that travels between Wood Hall and the outside, the conversations going on at the front desk, the use of the reference librarian, and the general maintenance/upkeep of the area that requires daily travel in the walkway adjacent to the common area creates a loud and consistent atmosphere of noise in this part of the library.
Although there is a rule, I find that there is a hypocrisy that exists when people point one person out, rather than railing against every single distraction. I’m just noting a point of inconsistency here, and that the functional use of the rule is minimal. I guess I’m trying to argue a policy change here.
By: Chris on April 16, 2008
at 5:15 pm
Additionally, I don’t believe that (1) the Wood Hall area constitutes a “typical library,” or that (2) law students during finals time represent reasonable, rational people (I would consider them to be hypersensitive). Instead, I think that, during this time of year, a number of law students put themselves above others and aren’t willing to accommodate the other way around. I have talked at a normal volume, with other people at a normal volume at this part of the library, and in many instances, no one was annoyed or offended.
By: Chris on April 16, 2008
at 5:26 pm
all i got to say is that some people who work at the freakin’ library are louder than chris, so no dirty looks allowed while those guys are still on the payroll.
By: crazy_delicious on April 16, 2008
at 10:04 pm
I go to coffeeshops ‘coz I like my caffeine fix to be a constant during finals. School can get pretty bitter, though, so the change of scene is also welcome. Maybe some people revel in the stress. Not my thing, but others’ mileages may vary.
By: ekiben on April 19, 2008
at 10:55 am