Ever since Olin Library’s completion, many students have flocked to its nooks and crannies on a more regular basis. But during finals, many people venture in that may not have otherwise given the building a second look. Some students are forced in to do research for final projects, or perhaps because their roommates like to drink more than study. Whatever the reason, there tend to be some new faces in the library during the last few weeks of the semester, and these newcomers sometimes just don’t understand – or at least don’t follow – library etiquette. So here’s how it works:
Turn your cell phone off! This is no joke. It is annoying, disrupting and rude to have cell phones ringing in an environment that’s intended to facilitate concentration. Even though this should probably be self-evident, if you make a mistake and leave your phone on, do not answer it in the library. It’s bad enough to have 10 people talking on their phones in the hallway; those doors are surely not soundproofed. But as distracting as the muffled exclamations are from out in the stairway, it’s even worse when the person at the desk next to you is updating their boyfriend or girlfriend about what page they’re on.
Just because you and your friends are in one of those private study rooms does not mean that it becomes necessary to shout. Those rooms are also not soundproofed; they are designated for groups of people that need to quietly discuss academia. They aren’t there for stand-up comedy, raucous gossip sessions or guitar practice.
The library does not house mixers during finals. If you see one or eight of your friends, do not feel that it is necessary to have a long conversation, particularly if you are not the kind of person who is skilled at controlling the volume of your voice. If it’s really that important, go somewhere else. Otherwise, smile, nod and do what you came to the library to do.
If you plan to vacate the spot you’ve staked out in the library for more than 10 minutes, please take your stuff with you. Not only could your stuff get stolen by the not-so-nice population, but now the nicer people have nowhere to study. If you have to get a drink or take a quick break, fine. But if you’re going home and coming back three hours later, you cannot reserve your spot until you come back.
The holidays are upon us, folks. ‘Tis the season to be quiet and polite in the library. Please.