Transparency Item: The Perspectives section of the Graphic is comprised of articles based on opinion. This is the opinion and perspective of the writer.
I have struggled with the familiar yet disappointing experiences with study rooms in the Payson Library one too many times.
I have a vivid memory of trying to study for a midterm last semester. The rooms on both sides of me were filled with four or more students.
The students in both rooms seemed to be working on a group project of some sort, and I could hear yelling, laughing and debating.
Although this behavior distracted my studies, I do not think it is because people should not do group work in the study rooms.
I believe the purpose of study rooms should be to do group work and independent study free of distractions.
Among many other inconveniences, I find that the study rooms fail at their purpose: to provide an environment to study and collaborate.
Using a study room begins with attempting to book a room. In my experience, study rooms are typically completely booked a day in advance.
After struggling to book a room, students must check in or else their reservations will be canceled.
Once canceled, the reservation time will now be listed as available. This allows someone to book the room that was previously reserved, according to Pepperdine Libraries.
After I have booked, checked in and entered my room, I become frustrated from hearing the conversations, meetings and music coming from other rooms in the hall.
The purpose of study rooms is to provide an environment for group work, according to Pepperdine Libraries. I think it makes sense that students would use these spaces to make reasonable levels of noise.
Unfortunately, I have found the study rooms become an extremely disturbing environment because noise easily filters through rooms. A place made to be distraction-free is now full of distractions.
I think solutions to this problem include expanding the library to include more study rooms, staggering study rooms around the multiple corners of the library to lower noise levels, giving more check-in options and soundproofing study rooms.
Many colleges such as Liberty University utilize a three-floor noise level system in their libraries. Liberty has established floor distinctions as collaborative, quiet and deep quiet.
The first level is for unlimited noise, used for group work.
The second level is an intermediate noise level; students can intermittently chat in low tones, but it is mostly independent study.
The third level is a noise-free zone; no talking is allowed.
Sectioning Payson Library into sections similar to these would improve noise level distinctions and reduce the number of study rooms needed.
Perhaps the top floor of the library could be split into an intermediate noise level and a noise-free zone level. Currently, study rooms are bundled together, sharing walls and facing one another with a glass door. I think this exacerbates high levels of noise within the study room areas.
I think study rooms could be spread out throughout noise level sections, maintaining the noise rules. Not only would this decrease noise problems in the study rooms, I think it could improve the noise level in the entire library itself.
Along with high noise levels, I have found the study room check-in process to be inconvenient.
Pulling out my laptop during class before my time slot is time-consuming and inconvenient. Navigating through my email to the check-in website is a hassle because my inbox is often crowded.
Alternative check-in options such as in-person or text message sign-ins in addition to the standard email check-in would make check-in an easier and more accurate process.
This could lead to less confusion about who has booked the study room, which is also a frequent problem I have experienced.
Pepperdine could also consider adding Framery pods, which can be found on many campuses such as Baylor University. Framery pods are rooms with sound-dampening qualities that allow group work within a communal study space.
In their current state, I find the Payson Library study rooms are an inconvenience. Most days, I choose to study in the communal library spaces or outside of the library because it is not worth the booking hassle and distracting environment.
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Contact Caitlin Murray via email: caitlin.murray@pepperdine.edu or by Instagram: @caitlin_murray36
