Some very considerate student concerned with my getting my requisite 18 hours of napping has placed a suggestion in the Suggestion Box that we designate a room where quiet prevails. This would mean no talking
AND NO LAPTOPS. The only feasible place for this in the Library would be in the side room - off of the Periodicals area (where Profs Silverman, Galler, Bush and Lane have offices). Unfortunately, this arrangement would mean that the outlets in that area could not be utilized for laptops.
In truth, I can nap just about anywhere, so I have no opinion on the matter. Let me know what you think by posting a comment to this posting. The prevailing comments will make the decision. Opportunity to comment will last until next Monday evening (Feb. 28).
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat
37 comments:
i feel that if you will be having a quiet area only, then you should increase the number of outlets all along the carrols. it's nice to know there are finally outlets in the main area, but along the sides, people still have to fight with each other over outlets...if there was an outlet for every 2 or 4 seats then it would be perfect int he library...you guys are getting there...
This is a terrible idea. Outlets are scarce in this law school to begin with. The lawschool library, which is supposed to be used for people studying, shouldn't have to accommodate people who want to nap. Sacrificing studying (with the use of laptops) for sleep is just plain stupid. I understand people want to sleep, but if they want to do it in the library, they should get earplugs so that they don't hear the minimum sound of keys clicking. This person shouldn't bother coming in to school at all if he/she is whining about the lack of sleeping space. C'mon, get a life.
First of all, we're not in pre- school, we're in Law School. If you want to take a nap... go home or nap in your car! Second, there are not enough outlets in the library as is. If someone wants to take a nap they should be allowed to check out one of the study rooms designated for one person.
This is a bad idea. It is hard enough to find a seat with a plug in the first place, let alone take away good seats for a non-laptop room. The majority of students are using laptops, and many of those who have not in the past are starting.
Also, from my vast experiences in the library, no place is quite. People are continually talking, and there will be noise anywhere you go.
Adam S. Wandt -
I actually would prefer the exact opposite be done.
I would hate to see that area of the library closed to the vast majority of us who do nearly all our work on our laptops. That would be terrible. If you want total silence put in ear plugs.
I would rather see some area of the library reserved for a proper talking area. (I know the area to the right of the entrance as you enter the library allows talking but it is a poor space for this because of the materials stored there. As such, and because it has been poorly marketed to student no one feels comfortable talking in a normal voice there) We have a proper talking area (where people speak in louder than a whisper) in the State Room but it has almost no outlets. Why don't we make the particular library space being discussed a full talking area, and make the talking area in the State Room a laptop free and silent zone since it has no outlets to speak of anyway?
- Seth Presser
I feel that the sound of pencils writing on paper is annoying. Maybe we should have a laptop only room.
Bad idea. Makes no sense whatsoever and punishes those who uses laptops.
Law students rely on their laptops to outline, write papers and review notes. There is already a lack of space in the library (especially with the construction downstairs) and this would only minimize an already scarce workspace.
A quick clarification. I was not suggesting that students would use the area for sleeping. Some folks like absolute quiet for study - which was the impetus for making the suggestion - which originally came from a student.
Now - keep the comments coming.
It seems that it's not the tapping of keyboards that is distracting, but the conversations of students being yelled half way across the library or into cell phones. The paper notices do not seem to be doing much good mid-day when there are a lot of people in the library. If everyone could actually respect those around them, then a separate quiet area apart from those designated already as "quiet areas" would not be needed.
A separate quiet area would only encourage more talking in the already existing "quiet areas". I would rather see a few more talking areas with outlets that you do not need to get a key to get into.
If we had a separate quiet area, then where would the MAJORITY of the school, who has a laptop, go to work?
If a student wants absolute quiet for studying then they should get a study room. Tell whoever suggested it...it's a bad idea
There is no good reason to ban laptops in a certain area because if the sound is on mute, they do not make noise. Also, presumably, the idea behind having a "quiet" area is to provide a good place to do work. Most people take notes while they read, so this would defeat the purpose.
There is no good reason to ban laptops in a certain area because if the sound is on mute, they do not make noise. Also, presumably, the idea behind having a "quiet" area is to provide a good place to do work. Most people take notes while they read, so this would defeat the purpose.
There is no good reason to ban laptops in a certain area because if the sound is on mute, they do not make noise. Also, presumably, the idea behind having a "quiet" area is to provide a good place to do work. Most people take notes while they read, so this would defeat the purpose.
There's the "talking area" down in the basement by the state room. Cell phone use is only permitted in that area. So isn't the rest of the library basically supposed to be one big quiet area already? Of this means virtually quiet, not absolute quiet. The nominal noise of computer keys clicking, pens pushing against paper, pages turning, bags being unzipped, and people talking in library voices...that's life. We all have little pet peeves that bother and distract us, we don't all get a designated room where such conduct is prohibited. If you're trying to study outside the little talking area and somebody's having a conversation in a normal, non-library volume, ask them to keep it down, which I believe they're required to. There's a shortage of laptop outlets as it is. Bad idea.
Bad Idea -
Maybe this person should just drop out of law school. I am at my law office as I speak and all I hear is typing. There is no way to avoid it in our profession.
I think this is a fantastic idea! when I'm trying to read, the tapping of keyboards can be really annoying. I also agree that more quiet space in general in the library is a good idea.
This is another in a series of terrible, terrible ideas.
The absolute worst idea though? Moving *all* of the tables to the new talking area. Has it occured to anyone that people who are actually using the library to do research might need a table - or at least more room than a cubicle - so that they could spread out their research?
If you're really looking for a way to make the library better though - i've got two words: new chairs. The current chairs that we have are absolutely awful. All of the "green" ones need to be replaced immediately before they fall apart and send more people to the chiropractor. And while the "blue" ones are acceptable, they're certainly far from comfortable.
What is wrong with everyone? What is wrong with a place reserved for students who want to nap? Perhaps not everyone would use it, but not everyone uses a laptop in the library either, does that mean we shouldnt accomodate laptop users? Or at least provide better and more comfortable chairs on the second floor...there is NO place where the students can just sit or lie down and be comfortable...
I think that is a crazy idea, there are barely enough outlets as it is...if there are a few people who need absolute quiet and cant even take the sound of typing in order to study, then how do they make it through exams? even the writing room has noises. If there are people who need absolute quiet they can get a study room, and if the study rooms are taken there are always PLENTY in the Axin Library. PLEASE DONT TAKE AWAY OUR OUTLETS.
I think it is a great idea. There needs to place where it is laptop free - where people can study, absent the clicking of keys. Maybe it's just me, but the majority of time I'm in the libary, I see people using their laptops for surfing the internet, checking their email, or talking on AIM. Sorry if we have to sacrifice a few outlets.
If you cannot handle the clicking of a keyboard, study in your car. Give me a break. And exactly how would this "silent area" be enforced? Nobody's quiet in the quiet areas, so why would a silent area be any different? We all have our favorite little areas in the library, and mine happens to be the proposed silent area. I dare someone to tell me that I can't study there because I use a laptop.
Designating an “only-naps-no-laptops-area” is a particularly silly idea, but it probably arises because the administration hasn't seen the need (or doesn't have the financial wherewithal) to make some _very_ needed capital improvements to the law school facility as a whole.
Indeed, much of the facilities of this law school that we students utilize is in lousy shape. To wit: Have you sat at one of the tables/chairs in the lounge area near the financial aid office lately? Is that furniture made up of rejections from a Goodwill donation center in a college town? And how about the two large, filthy and disgusting lecture halls—205 and 238 (I think those are the numbers)? Those could hardly be in _worse_ shape. The student lounge, the bathrooms, the chairs in the computer labs—I could go on, but simply put, many of the places we law students spend our time look and feel pretty darn lousy.
Certainly, upgrades that have taken place such as the new library study rooms (note that library staff are at times humorously over-protective about signing them out) and new library carpeting are laudable steps, but we need better tables (with—Gd-forbid!—the occasional lamp for those of us who need might want to read the footnotes without straining our eyes). In my opinion, this is about improving the psychological feeling that one is actually learning and studying on the grounds (and specifically, the library) of a respected educational institution. And that happens when the administration uses some of our ever-increasing tuition to make us a little prouder to go to Hofstra University School of Law.
Just in case you're still considering the idea - my vote is to absolutely NOT accomodate the napping room suggestion. This is absolutely absurd given the severe lack of electrical outlets already.
A suggestion, however, is that you re-allow students to use the study rooms in the basement that have been reserved for groups. First off, most students give you another student's ID just to secure the room with no intention of using it for group meeting purposes. Second, most of these rooms currently sit empty for the evening hours while some of us are struggling to find outlets, quiet places to study or nap as the case may be, or to just get a little privacy in the library. I understand the need to accomodate groups...but your new policy is a wholly inefficient of use of scare resources.
Aww. Poor baby needs a quiet space.At least Ernster kitty can easily nap anywhere.
I have never understood those who need "absolute insane quiet." Laptops are a part of modern life... if a little clicking makes you that crazy, you're going to have a serious problem in any office and certainly won't be taking tests on laptop, (which will become more and more the standard).
Outlets are a serious issue.
In truth, the library is a place of research. People are more than welcome to study there, but that's not it's foremost function. You can study at home in complete silence, but you can't research at home, or at least not always as effectively.
I've wandered the library just trying to find any place to sit where I can plug in my laptop (a necessary tool I would not consider leaving at home). So the idea of reducing that seating is unacceptable. I am sorry this person or persons desire something that cannot at present be practically provided. Perhaps one day, our 30K per student per year will be differently allocated. In the meantime, I think the Cons outweigh the pros.
I do not agree with the suggestion of a napping section. If there is to be a true "quiet" section, it should be in that room, but there is no reason not to allow laptops. In addition, for some reason, the section where the tables used to be is now louder than it was last semester. That is something that should be changed.
This is not a good idea. If the library is not quiet enough, there are many places on campus and off where a quieter situation may be found. We need to use our laptops, and we need every available outlet.
Plugs in the library are as rare and valuable as water in the desert. If there was a plug-free area that could be designated for the total silence zone... then fine. Please, please, please don't make us more thirsty for precious plugs.
BOO- BAD IDEA. If you want absolute quiet your at the wrong school.
We need more outlets! That goes for not only in the main speaking areas, but also all around the stinkin' library. Having to walk around, peering under the desks to see if there is a rare outlet is a much bigger concern than having an absolutely quiet place to study. One can easily go into an empty classroom after classes are done anyway right? (unless security kicks you out). And lighting can definitely be much improved, lights or lamps at each desk would be nice especially if we're going to be reading for so many hours. Come on, is a new carpet and a few more outlets all the improvements made with our crazy high tuition and fees? Let's make our school a little more nice and attractive for prospectives too.
This is a terrible idea! We need out OUTLETS and our quiet areas. The proposed area for the "nap room" is one of the few somewhat quiet places left in the library. People don't seem to know the meaning of quiet in the library to begin with, taking away our outlets and our one somewhat quiet area would just be cruel.
1. this is a stupid idea
2. if you actually study anytime but the day before the final exam you need serious help.
3. Now that I know people actually read the suggestion box how about starting some place that would actually benefit students like:
designating a parking area?
Maybe create a student lounge with furniture that doesnt cost $5 and feel as uncomffortable as possible?
I know I know...hand out the registration books not during finals and give people some time to look it over before registration begins.
Perhaps and I know this is a stretch offer classes that kids want as opposed to the current regime that thinks its in its best interest to alienate the student body.
etc.
oops one more biggie can anyone say
COMPETANT OCS
start their and then yo ucan talk
I think that a place with outlets should be utilized for those with laptops. I understand that it is annoying to those without, but it is equally annoying when you have a ton of work to do ON your laptop and cannot find a free outlet anywhere. If the library really wants to do this, then they need to add more outlets throughout the rest of the library.
Also, I agree that this is Law School and no one should be concerned about appeasing those who want to nap - If you want to nap, GO HOME and do so. If you want to WORK, go to the library!!!
NO WAY.
We just got the outlets in that room fixed (it only took a year) and it's the perfect place to study (too bad the library doesn't have more, smaller rooms like this).
Besides, it's never *that* quiet anyway, especially if Eric Lane is on the phone . . .
I cannot tell you how THRILLED I am to have been pronounced an "evil genius" (although, I must concede that there really was a suggestion in the Suggestion Box about a quiet area.) Keep those comments coming. All thoughts/suggestions on this idea (or any other) are great - please refrain from hissing at your colleagues, though. I hate having to fluff out my virtual fur.
Oh, and any mention of napping referred to MY NAPPING in the Library - not you.
i doubt you're going to be able to enforce a "no laptop" rule if the "no talking" rule doesn't even work... someone should let the professors know (specifically in the area you were suggesting to make the "napping area") that when they talk on speaker phone in their offices the whole world can hear about how the construction is going on their new summer home...
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