QCL Noise Zones - what do you think?

[wbqt83]

In 2008/9 we received feedback from students at Queen’s Campus that they weren’t happy with noise levels in the library:

•The library is one floor and noise travels
•Silent areas aren’t always being respected
•The acceptable level of noise in most areas isn’t clear

In response to this we came up with a suggestion of how we might resolve these issues and create a better working environment for all students, staff and visitors using Queen’s Campus Library. In November we shared this suggestion at the Student Users Forum and invited people to comment on the You Say We Say Forum. Following the period of consultaton these changes will be implemented from 18th January 2010 on a trial basis.

What do you think of the Noise Zones?

The map below outlines the library split into three areas:
• Group Study For group work and discussions while you study
• Quiet Study Please speak quietly and keep conversations to a minimum
• Silent Study Silent individual study only

[ddhc35]

I think the sizing of the areas is all wrong. There are more group tables in the quiet and silent study areas than there are in the group study area! Most people (myself included) choose to sit with friends, even if working individually, so it is likely that we will have to sit in the quiet/silent study area (due to lack of group tables in the group study zone) and inevitable that we will end up talking, even if it's quiet and brief. I feel the silent study area is too large and should only include the individual working areas at the back of the library and the eight group tables in the silent area should be re-classified as quiet zones.

[wbqt83]

Thanks for your feedback. We'll be taking all comments from this forum into account when we review the layout of the library and how the 'Noise Zones' are working.

[cqsm29]

I think this is a very good idea, the noise levels were far to high before and the quiet zone was too small. Even in the quiet zone the noise coming from other parts of the library was very distracting. In response to the first reply, there are many other areas around the campus that can be used for group work such as empty classrooms, accommodation, study rooms, the canteens and the rotunda, but there are not so many quiet areas especially if you do not live nearby.
Again, I think it is a great idea and working in the library over the past week has been a much better experience. Thanks.
.

[d75942]

I think that while this is a good idea there is a lack of group work space. The green zone is far too small for group work, this often results in group work happening in the orange zone, which pushes people who would do quiet group work onto the first couple of tables of the red zone. I can understand why the red zone is where it is, so the loos provide a gap to stop noise from the orange section travelling down to the red section. The red zone is too big at the moment, people are still doing group work as part of their course, wait until exams.
I suggest that the orange section is extended to the first two tables of the current red section and to stop noise travelling move the sections that have books instead of tables between what could be the new red/orange border.
This would be good at the moment but when exam season starts the red section is moved back to where it currently is.
#

Just the thoughts of someone who has seen students who were forced to work on the first table of the red section get told off for talking, even though no one was in the immediate facility, (apart from myself who was wearing headphones), and those further into the red section wouldn't be able to hear due to the air conditioning units.

[wbqt83]

Thanks for all the feedback so far. We really want to know what you think. We know you're discussing it among yourselves but we need you to tell us your thoughts so we can act on them. It is your library and your study space.

Is there a good balance of group and silent study areas in Queen’s Campus Library?
If you haven't got time to write down your views then take 30 seconds to vote on the poll here http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/2628317/

It's part of this weeks 'Quick Question' but we'll leave the poll open longer so you can keep voting for a couple of weeks.

[d73ja1]

Hi
Although I think noise zones are a great idea, I don't believe the space is being used as well as it could be. At the minute it is impossible to work on a computer wihout groups of people sat around you talking, even in the quiet area. Are there plans to create a silent area including some of the computers? I don't currently have a working laptop so writing essays has become a nightmare as the library is far too noisy, even in the so called quiet area. Either there should be a silent computer area or the quiet zone should be monitored more closely.
Thanks.

[cqxb23]

I think that the noise zones are a great idea.

I think that the sizing is about right too.

The large tables in the quiet zones make more sense than at first it would appear. It is actullay very supportive to sit working quietly with a group of friends.

The QC IRC now feels more like the main campus library, more like a 'real' library.

Well done.

J

[jsfr36]

As someone who would prefer to work in the library than at home, when I noticed the new "noise zones" at the start of this term, I thought this would be an improvement for the library, but I have so far been sorely disappointed.

It is impossible to use a computer in the library, even in the yellow zone, without having to hear other people's inane conversations, or having as I did yesterday, three people crowded round me and leaning on my chair, to talk to their friend who was sitting next to me.

As for the red zone, it seems that a sizeable minority of students simply do not understand the meaning of "silent". There is always, without failure, a group of people talking, someone on a mobile phone, people wandering up for a chat; I've even seen people talking on Skype! I've found the "silent room" no better, with people continually wandering out to chat to their friends, then coming back in, and so on. And I have never seen anyone asked to be quiet, except by other exasperated students. Additionally, it may be beneficial to have a "silent; no laptops" area, as working whilst someone is bashing away on a keyboard, or hearing that infernal "Welcome to Windows Vista" tune time after time, I find to be nigh on impossible.

I really am disappointed with the state of the library; it's yet another example of how the facilities on QC are woefully inadequate. I would have expected better from a campus which proclaims itself to be part of Durham University. Please, please, please, can we have a properly silent area to work in? Or at least stick a couple of drinks machines and sofas in the library, and turn it into a cafe; it might quieten down then.

[wbqt83]

Thanks for your feedback. I'll pass it on to the Queen's Campus Library manager and we will get back to you.