Be considerate, Everyone wants a quiet place to study!

By Susheila Naidoo and Eric Mchunu

Noise in the UKZN libraries is a constant source of concern for library staff and students. Literature suggests that students are more likely to follow quiet policies when there is an authority figure or a monitoring presence in the library (Bedwell and Banks, 2013; Bird and Puglisi, 1984). It has been said that the monitoring figure need not necessarily be a staff member. In their article on library design, Foster and Gibbons (2007) found that students “taught” each other the sometimes implicit rules about the spaces they were in “through an occasional verbal warning” or “gave them ‘the stare’ or glare that communicates‘ be quiet!’. However, given budgetary concerns and current staffing levels which do not allow for a dedicated monitoring presence, we believe that we all can assist with the noise debacle at the UKZN libraries.

Handy tips when faced with disturbance in the library:

• Drop a subtle, audible hint about being quiet. Instead of raising your voice at the person or group that is loud, make a gesture that will help them get the point that what they are doing is not appreciated. If people are constantly chatting while you are looking for a book, try clearing your throat or coughing softly.
• Try not to ‘shush’ noisy people loudly in a way that would seem condescending. This might
  
  make them want to continue being loud because you tried to embarrass them.
•   Ask students to be quiet. If someone is truly disturbing you with their noise just go up to them and kindly, in a calm voice, ask them to lower their voice. Sometimes just bringing it to their attention that they are being disruptive is all it will take to make them change their behaviour.

  

Try using one of these examples:

“I’m sorry to trouble you, but would you mind keeping it down a bit?”
“Hi. I hate to be that person that complains, but I have a big test tomorrow that I’m trying to study for and I’d really appreciate it if you could tone it down a bit. Thanks!”
“Would you mind moving to a different location? This is a quiet workspace. Thank you!”

•  Use nonverbal methods to get people to keep their voices down. Most people understand that libraries are meant to be quiet places. A meaningful glance in their direction should give them a hint that a lack of silence is not appreciated in such an environment.
•  Don’t glare at them or make a mean face. This will only make the situation worse
• Getting help: call on library staff for help with the noise. UKZN Library staff will be more than happy to assist you in these areas.

Some suggestions to counteract the noise.

•  If you have noise-blocking headphones, do not be afraid to use them. An mp3 player could also be helpful, but keep the sound down so you do not accidentally ruin someone else's time at the library. Make sure you keep the volume to a very low level.
• Utilize a private study space. UKZN libraries have group study rooms you can reserve for discussion and study carrels for private study. If the main part of the library is too noisy, try using one of these rooms so that you can have your discussions and have a quiet space to study.
•  Avoiding a scene in the library. Try not to be rude when you ask someone to be quiet. While it can be very tempting at moments, remember that rudeness will not help to get anything done and will only create conflict. Remember the person you're trying to calm down will probably react to the perceived mistreatment by mistreating you, things will probably only get louder.
• Move to a quieter location. If someone is being disruptive, try moving locations. If you pack up your things and move further away from them, they may notice and start being more quiet. Either way, you will be further away from the noise and able to concentrate better.
• In conclusion, we need to consider that when the UKZN libraries were built more than 40 years
  
  ago noise issues were not a problem, and the enrollment size was not large enough to contribute   to high levels of noise. We believe that all of us can be instrumental in making the UKZN libraries a conducive place to study.  

References

Foster, N.F. & Gibbons, S. eds. 2007. Studying Students: The Undergraduate Research Project at the University of Rochester Chicago: ALA.

Bedwell, L. & Banks, C. 2013. Seeing through the eyes of students: Participant observation in an academic library. Partnership: The Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research, 8, 1.

Bird, C.P. and Puglisi, D.D. 1984. Noise reduction in an undergraduate library. Journal of Academic Librarianship 10(5), 272-277.
Lange, J., Miller-Nesbitt, A. & Severson, S. 2016. Reducing noise in the academic library: the effectiveness of installing noise meters. Library Hi Tech, 34, 45-