Noise update

In early February, a student, unhappy with the noisy situation at the downtown library, started a Facebook group, in support of a silent library.  Many posted on the Facebook page and sent in comments to the Libraries Suggestion Box As of this morning, the FB group has 415 members.  One of them being Guylaine Beaudry, the Director of the Webster Library.  Ms. Beaudry has corresponded and met with the students.  Here is what she posted on the FB page late last week:

Message from Guylaine Beaudry, Director, Webster Library

Thank you all of you for your suggestions and comments on how to improve the quality of the study spaces in the Webster Library. The library, in collaboration with [two students] and CSU representatives serving on the Library Services Fund Committee, has taken the following two actions in response to your expressed needs. 1- As of Monday, March 18, and until the end of the semester, an extra security agent will patrol the Webster Library from 11:00 a.m. to 20:00 p.m., seven days/week, except over the Easter holiday .
2- In the library, you will soon see new signage prepared by [a student] to reinforce the message about silence in Blue Zones. We will assess these measures at the end of the semester. Please continue to use this Facebook Group page to share your thoughts!

You may also continue to send your suggestions to the Libraries’ Suggestion Box!

Elevator noise

You wrote:

Is there a way the sound on the elevators can be turned down? I understand it is probably needed for the differently baled, but it can be very distracting to anyone sitting on that side of e lib during busy times. Maybe the sound can be turned down just in busy times? Or maybe a more subtle and less jarring noise
could be used?

Thank you for your comment.  This has been addressed in previous posts.

Group study rooms not soundproof

You wrote:

Hello,

Whenever their are multiple members of groups in study rooms, they are usually very loud, and do not appreciate the fact that the rooms are not soundproof and in the library. It would be nice if the rules were clearly explained to individuals who wish to book a room please.

Thank you

Thank you for pointing this out. You are correct, the group study rooms are not soundproof.  With the upcoming renovations, the group study rooms will be improved.

Open layout

You wrote:

I really love the openness of the 3rd floor with the big section of wooden blue zone tables. I’m glad that type of space was added because the individual cubicle desks tended to induce sleeping but were often the only option in the blue zones. The wooden chairs are very comfortable for me, too.

Thank you for your comments.  You may have read that the changes that were made to the 3rd floor of the Webster Library are temporary.  I will pass your comments to the renovation planners.

I will be away from the Suggestion Box until March 11. If you would like to make any suggestions or comments, please continue to do so. I look forward to reading them all upon my return!

If you need any immediate assistance, please do not hesitate to use one of our “Ask a Librarian” services!

LB 203 booked for instruction

You wrote:

As a Masters student, I tend to spend a good chunk of time researching in the library.  Unfortunately, a chunk of my time is also spent trying to actually find a computer to work on. This is absolutely ridiculous, and almost as infuriating as the new ‘printing’ system (but that’s another issue on its own ). 

Traditionally, my one haven in the (downtown) library has been the small lab near the reserve room.  It’s quiet, out of the way, and fantastic for working for hours on end. What has happened recently is that the lab is taken up by ‘library workshops’. While I realize this was the original intention of the lab, this is completely unjustified in light of the reality of the paucity of computers. I cannot begin to tell you how infuriating it is to run around trying to find a computer, and pass by the lab, barred to regular use while four and a half students rapturedly listen to the evolution of citation styles, in a room that has over 30 computers.
In what way is this justified? When a workshop is in session, we aren’t allowed in even if the room is three-quarters empty. If we are able to block out the noise and won’t disturb, this type of monopolization should not be allowed.

I was absolutely increduled to just come from seeing the lab completely empty but locked, with the time slot 10-4 blocked off. I was told that due to there being numerous workshops, it was locked “so that the librarians won’t have the unpleasant act of kicking students out”. So for that reason, perfectly functional computers are barred from use. I find this the unfortunately typical type of response in the library- I suppose it would not occur to anyone
to simply put up a sign saying, “please note that in 1.5hours, there will be a class and you will have to leave?” This would save the librarians the burden but enable people to at least get some work done. Whose interests is this intended to be for?

I’m actually counting my lucky stars that I actually found a computer, as this is a rare find
these days. Please take this (extremely frequent) concern/frustration/injustice into consideration- we have legitimate work to do, and the location that ought to be most conducive to encouraging it, is simply not.

Thank you for your email. I have forwarded it to the Director of the Webster Library.

I understand your frustration, however, I can tell you that LB 203 *is* heavily used for instruction sessions. That’s what it is there for. Until a few years ago, it was exclusively used for that purpose. Also, staff has told me that, unfortunately, *some* students are extremely unpleasant when they are told to leave the room when it is needed for a class.

As for your suggestion to allow people to use the room while it is in use for a lecture, I think that would be highly inappropriate. It would be very disruptive to the lecturer and to the students in the class to have outsiders there. Imagine such a thing in any of your own classes? How would you feel?

Unfortunately, until the Webster Library undergoes its major renovations, students will have to look at the room’s schedule, which is posted on its door. You can also call the Information Desk at 514-848-2424-7700 to find out that room’s availability, before leaving home.

Student sets up FB page to support silence

You wrote:

Please monitor the blue zones. The amount of people constantly talking is disturbing. I simply don’t understand why people come to the library to socialize. This is the only place where I’d expect a quiet place to study. Every day I have to tell people to go talk elsewhere, and I am tired of being polite with people who disrespect the rules in place.

and

The library is so noisy. students are constantly talking to their neighbours, talking on their cell phones and making noise in the blue zones. … What should I do?

and

The Webster library at Concordia used to be a great place to study up until a few years ago; now, however, it is anything but a quiet place it is meant to be.
There are a considerable number of people that have absolutely no respect for those who are there to get a few hours studying done; not only use of cell phones and talking out loud have become completely normal, but some idiots even play songs on their computers and bang on the wall like animals. I believe this is certainly not the first complaint regarding the noise issue, and I am positive that responsible personnel are doing everything possible to solve this problem…but enough is enough.

and…

Hi,

I am an undergraduate student in Political Science. Many students don’t respect silent study zones in the library and it can be very frustrating for other students.

I do understand that the funds for staff to enforce silence in the library might be lacking, so I thought that maybe students could participate in enforcing the silent rule of the blue zones. I created a Facebook page where students could join together so as to stand for these places to remain silent while they are present.

Could it be possible for you to advertise the Facebook page and invite students to join it. If not, do you have any other strategies to enforce the library rules?

Here is a link to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/162963260518733/

If you have any request of change in order to promote it, it will be a pleasure to comply with your requests.

Thank you very much for taking this initiative.  As we continue to look for ways to improve the situation, it is good to see students also accepting some of the
responsibility in ensuring that the Libraries remain a place of serious study.