Q. Dear SFU Burnaby Library,
Why are there no quiet areas to study in the library? Everywhere one goes, all one hears is chatter.
Why did you convert the 5th floor quiet study area into a group study area? I know it’s “supposed” to be for silent studying, but who ever designed that room should realize that now it’s easier to talk to people, beside you and in front of you. Just take a look sometime, and you’ll see people chatting in there-You’ve made it easy.
Why would the library spend money taking away what was a very good space for studying silently? Before there were study carrolls, now there is just a conference room, albeit what looks like a nice looking one. That room has now become another group study area, like the so many others you have in thelibrary. It’s horrible!
The library should be silent in some areas. I find it very difficult to learn. I am a SFU scholarship student and am now seriously considering switching universities, because there isn’t anywhere I can go to quietly, silently learn at SFU Burnaby.
I take learning very seriously. I just hoped that the SFU did, too.
Sincerely,
Soon-to-be former SFU student.
A. Thanks for your feedback. I can’t say that I’ve had the same experience that “everywhere one goes, all one hears is chatter.” At various times of the day in my travels through the Bennett Library I’ve experienced quiet areas on floors 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7. I’ve no doubt that some talk does occur in these areas but it’s just not been my experience.
The room which you describe is the only “silent” study area in the Bennett Library and it certainly was not our intent to make it a group study area. The area previous was dark and dingy and grossly underutilized. As the signage states, it is currently still being renovated but when completed it will be signed to best assure that no talking under any circumstances is to take place there. I’ve just gone by the room again (4 pm on a Thursday) and the 5 people in the room are not talking.
It is unfortunate that you are considering switching universities based on the circumstances here. I do hope that you reconsider. I can tell you that from conversations with colleagues from other academic libraries here in the lower mainland, noise levels is an issue at all of them.
We do take learning very seriously but unfortunately we cannot police noise levels in all areas of the library. Short of bringing the carrels back to the silent study room, I’d be happy to discuss other options with you as to how we can improve the room so that it has the best shot at being what it is intended to be. Please feel free to contact me about this.
Best regards,
Todd M. Mundle
Associate University Librarian