A student walks into the library right after 5th period, stressed out from a heavy homework load. They go into the library with a productive, focused mindset, ready to get to work. They struggle to navigate through large groups of high school students, trying to find a place to sit. No spots are available, and so they resort to the two small study rooms that serve as quiet working spaces. They finally make it to the study rooms, only to learn they are packed with students. They feel a wave of frustration wash over them as they realize their quiet place to focus has become a lively spot of conversation and distraction.
The library serves as a research hub, study space, collaboration area and a place for students to socialize. Unfortunately, it is often challenging to maintain quiet in such a highly active area of campus.
“The library during breaks and after school is a place where students socialize, and then during the periods, there are classes and study halls, so we’re trying to be two places, and that’s tricky,” librarian Lee Gardner said.
This mix of activities reflects the library’s role as both a learning space and a social hub. Students and staff alike are aware that the noise level in the library fluctuates throughout the day.
“The quietest times are during advisory and morning periods… the busiest and craziest are during and after lunch,” Assistant librarian Diane LeBeau said.
The library’s air conditioning also attracts students year-round, as they seek a cool indoor reprieve from the hot Florida weather.
“During breaks, it can be super loud as people go there to just talk and hang out… It’s like an air-conditioned place to escape when it’s hot outside,” sophomore Max Menard said.
Librarians realize that often students aren’t trying to be loud. but when the students start to gather, that’s where the loud noise tends to build up.
“They’re just excited to see their friends” LeBeau said. “I honestly don’t think they’re coming in to be loud, they’re just being kids.”
Gardner explains that quiet talking is permitted, but when students’ voices interrupt and distract students who want to focus, that’s when the volume needs to be lowered.
“When it slips from that to just a place to hang out… that’s when it stops being ‘library talking’ and conflicts with people who want to focus,” Gardner said.
Students and staff have brainstormed ways to separate social and study activities. Gardner shares that another idea would be separating the library in which one area is for games and talking and the other strictly for studying.
“A student lounge, maybe a place where people and their friends can go and talk openly and just have fun. And the library can just be for studying,” said Senior Sreyas Achanta.
Library staff have also shared ideas for redesigning spaces to better accommodate both study and collaboration. Both librarians explained that when the volume distracts working students, then the library’s purpose becomes undermined, shifting from a focused study environment to a less effective space for learning and productivity.
“Sometimes, especially during lunch, it can be pretty loud when students are trying to study for a test or a quiz… but also people are just trying to have that conversation with their friends,” Achanta said.
Staff also mention how architecture and space influence student behavior. The library’s architecture is meant to support a quiet atmosphere; however, the acoustics can inadvertently increase the volume, amplifying softer voices.
“Students want to study and get their work done, but in between classes, they’re going to come in here and want to talk and converse with one another,” LeBeau said. “There definitely has to be a separate space for that.”
Gardner shares that students talk like they would outside, yet they choose the library as the space to do it. She explains that students might socialize outside if they were used to it.
“If students could sit outside in groups and hang out, I’m not sure why they wouldn’t do that rather than trying to do it in the library,” Gardner said.
With input from students and faculty alike, Trinity continues to explore ways to meet the needs of all students. Suggestions range from a divided library with dedicated study and social spaces to the development of other areas for students to socialize.
“An alternative space would definitely benefit Trinity … students currently use the library as a place to socialize, where it’s supposed to be quiet,” sophomore Zayn Cara said.
