Secret to Finding a Quiet Place in the Library

On a sunny day, you hear the click-clack-click or the clump-clump-clump of someone's stylish shoes going across the terrazzo. On a rainy day, you hear the squishing squeaking sound of sneakers or rain boots. It seems like every few minutes the telephone is ringing and you hear "Blagg-Huey Library Information Desk this is Pleasant Voice, how may I help you?" Not to mention, there always seems to a group of students sitting at a table talking. You also notice the voice of a library staff person in the reference area helping a student with the databases at the workstation next to you. You are really glad the library staff members are so helpful because you may need help later, but this day with mid-term papers, projects, and tests approaching you wished it was quieter and wonder, "Where should I go?"

The First Floor - Try the carrels on the left side of the library along the walls. Most of the carrels are near windows and have a nice view of the campus greenery. Remember, you can check out a laptop at the Circulation Desk.

The Second Floor - Stay away from the rotunda. Although it is aesthetically pleasing, all the noises from the 1^st floor go straight up the rotunda. The carrels along the walls provide a quieter spot. You and a few of your quieter friends could reserve one of the larger group study rooms.

The Third Floor - The 3^rd floor is by far the quietest place in the library but we have designated half the area as library's official "Quiet Area." There are individual study rooms in this area as well. There are absolutely no study groups or cell phones allowed in this area.

Please remember to speak to a library staff person if it gets too noisy on any floor even if this means asking the staff person to lower his or her voice. You probably will not find a TWU library staff member that will shush people with an index figure over his or her mouth like the stereotypical librarian, but he or she will ask other library users to lower their voices when you ask.

--Annita Owens