Library Installs Soundproof Group Study Rooms
The library will open new non-reservable study rooms on the third floor in October as part of its Library Renewal project, intended to be used by groups of three to six students to work together. In addition to the new rooms, the library refurbished the fireplace lounge area on the third floor this summer.
The study rooms were designed by an Ann Beha architectural firm in Boston, which has been working on the Library Renewal for the past five years. The new spaces and refurbishment of the third floor correspond with the Library Commons and classroom on the Ground floor. Beha began her career in working with communities to preserve their historic buildings, much like the Academy’s library. Her firm has also designed spaces for several college campuses such as the music building at the University of Pennsylvania, the Carl A. Fields Center at Princeton University, Saieh Hall for Economics at the University of Chicago and a new student life and performance center at the New England Conservatory of Music.
“These will be accommodations not found in other spaces for student access on campus, so I think it is a great addition and will be used productively.”
According to head librarian Gail Scanlon, the wall mounted monitors should be installed this week and the lighting next week. The tables and chairs should arrive by early October.
“Unfortunately the project has taken longer than I had hoped, but the rooms will be great additions to the library when they are completed,” she said.
The rooms, which are walled with both glass and whiteboard, have already stirred excitement within the student body. Upper Menat Bahnsay has heard about the rooms and is awaiting their opening so that she can use them with her friends.
“I think it's very important to have a space for creative, collaborative, perhaps loud, work that will not disrupt anyone else in the library,” she said. “The modern architectural feel will spark motivation and creativity, as opposed to sitting at a table together, making sure to stay quiet.”
Upper Will Soltas agreed. “As an upper who'll be spending a lot more time working and researching, these rooms won't only be a great resource to people who need to work in groups, but it'll also keep the upper levels of the library, where students often work alone, much quieter,” he said.
While the rooms only partially dampen sound, library proctors are hoping they will help minimize the noise that sometimes occurs on third floor where groups tend to meet for projects. Library proctor and senior Grace Pratt feels that many students will take advantage of the new space because they are on a first come, first serve basis.
“I think it was a good idea because even if they aren't completely soundproof, they still provide a great area for group study,” she said. “I will definitely use them with my friends.”
Likewise, upper Alyssa Kuwana was excited to use the rooms when they open. “This will be really cool because the library can get really loud sometimes,” she said. “Hopefully it will quiet down the third floor so that you don’t have to go to the basement to get a place to study. It is also great because the glass walls will allow the natural light to enter into the room which is something you don’t get in the basement.”
Senior Caroline Davis hoped this will allow her and her friends to study together without bothering other people. “We're normally pretty loud in the library so this will make it easier,” she said. “They also look really cool!”
Senior Olivia Liponis said she knows people will use the rooms because the library is a convenient place to study. However, she is worried that the same groups of people will monopolize the rooms.
“As a library proctor, I'm also concerned that the walls will give people a false sense of privacy,” she said. “I hope the noise coming from the group study rooms isn't loud enough to affect the quiet studying atmosphere of the library, especially for students in the surrounding carrells. I do think the addition of the rooms is an improvement to the library, and I can't wait to see our community take full advantage of them.”
Several students have noticed the utility of the rooms. Senior Liam Breen pointed out that students will also use the space to do quiet research for papers. “I think people will probably end up using them for history classes because it's more convenient than meeting in the basement,” he said.
Meanwhil, senior Alex Papadakis pointed out the unique addition of whiteboards and TVs for projecting. “These will be accommodations not found in other spaces for student access on campus, so I think it is a great addition and will be used productively,” she said.
In addition to group studying, the space will offer a place for smaller clubs or boards of clubs to meet and make plans.
However, upper Tim Han pointed out that since they are non-reservable, it would be difficult for a club to decide to meet there weekly.
“But it'll be really exciting to be able to use the new rooms for the club boards I am on, like Exeter Business Club, because we are just a handful of people looking for a place to speak without disrupting others,” Han said.