In Depth

Students Want a Hybrid of Conflicting Library Settings

Most students are against the newly imposed silence in the library, although reactions range from appreciative to apathetic to indignant. Other students believe the new silence policy will not last, because enforcement of the new rule has proved difficult. Those in favor of the new policy value the opportunity to study without distractions. Many students against the new policy also find a quiet study environment appealing, but believe that either soft talking should be allowed or there should be an alternative place for group study. Other grievances among students are the lack of an alternative social space and cluster deans disciplining students in the library. Frederick Grace ’10 said, “You might as well have one place in the library where people can…get away from all the distractions.” “They should find an alternative for large studying groups before imposing the silent rule,” said Jake Roberts ’11, expressing a common view among students. Emily Cokorinos ’08 said, “Every library should have a silent study place. I have no problem with Garver being kept silent.” Others believe that socializing should be allowed in the library. “I think you should be able to go and just hang out,” said Sarah Onorato ’11. “I like the fact that they make [the library] only for studying, because there are other places to socialize,” said Jessica Blake ’10. Many students, however, are concerned with the loss of the campus’s weeknight social hub. “If they say we can’t hang out in the library, they should give us some other feasible option,” said Kelly Fox ’08. A few students expressed environmental concerns regarding the new signs and notices about the new policies. “They waste too much paper giving out those notes, which is inefficient,” said Kim Kuoch ’09. While many students stand firmly on each side of the issue, other students are indifferent, either because they don’t use the library or they don’t believe the strictness will last. “I don’t think it will be enforced well,” said Benjamin Kagen ’08, who called the new rules “irrational.” Kiara Breton ’09 said, “The new rules don’t do anything…they probably enforced it for about the first two weeks of school, but now I go there during Conference and talk [without being disciplined].”