There is nothing worse than heading to the library and having to change floors and seats multiple times due to the obnoxious group that has taken over the study rooms and the smell of sweaty feet from the cross-country runner who decided to get comfortable and take off his shoes.
In a place where students spend restless nights studying until close, the Tomlinson library is no place for bare feet or obnoxiously loud conversations. The peaceful library was once used as a quiet place to study – but not anymore.
For many years, academic weapons used libraries to expand their knowledge. Recently, it seems that students use the library as a place for anything but studying.
There is a lack of social awareness in the library. Now the library seems to collect individuals that don’t know how to act in public. There is no reason to run around and let your shoes that have marinated all day air out.
After discussing this issue with many of my peers, we agree that Tomlinson Library is not a safe space for quiet thoughts.
Campus is burdened by large sports team study groups that invade the library with loud conversations and five minutes of studying. I’m sure what you had for lunch was very delicious, but while I’m sitting here writing my 12-page English essay, I do not want to hear it. I acknowledge that not all sports teams study in the library, and some of them are well-behaved, but for the rest of you – you know who you are.
While studying for a math final, I changed my seat three times because of these study groups. They took up more sound in my mind than my own thoughts. Unfortunately, this is a pretty typical experience.
There are rules about Tomlinson Library that feel more like a secret than anything else. Maybe it’s due to the influx of new freshmen, but as a student who has attended CMU for three years, I’ll let you guys in on it:
First floor: This area is perfect for looking for help or having small conversations with your friends while not yelling. This is where all the business gets done and is perfect for a group to complete an assignment. It is still not the place for phone calls to mom or conversations about the best frat.
Second floor: This floor is a little iffy. Most study groups and classes meet here so although it should be quieter than the first floor, a little noise is still acceptable. You can study here but do not expect complete silence.
Third floor: This space is designated for silence as a quiet study area for individuals looking to lock in. It’s three floors up for a reason, so please, for the sake of academic decency, keep your nonsense elsewhere.