sush no more: accommodating noise in today’s library darla bressler & kathryn yelinek
TRANSCRIPT
SUSH NO MORE: ACCOMMODATING NOISE IN TODAY’S LIBRARY
Darla Bressler & Kathryn Yelinek
Why this topic?
BU Librarians noticed increased noise levels and changes in student behaviorsLibQual results in 2006 & 2009 indicated unhappiness with noise levelsPrompted research and library changes
Situation at Andruss Library
Original library design wasn’t working
So we started to make changes… Moved Reference Desk to 1st Floor Soft seating, tables, carrels in strategic
locations
… And noise levels changed
Complaints about noise on all floors are down
Librarians have noticed significant decrease in noise levels
What we learned from the research
Perfect storm of technology, changes in librarians, and changes in students has created increased noise levels
Changes in technology . . .
Cell phones/conversationsIpodsComputers/printersDatabasesSmart boards
Changes in librarians . . .
Changes in students . . .
Millennials—a new generation of students
Student expectations: “Digital natives” Multi-taskers Demand personalization/customization
Spaces to study alone OR in groups Spaces for quiet AND for talk
Ways to work with noise
Common sense No one-size-fits-all Buy-in from those involved Be willing to admit mistakes
Ways to work with noise
Zoning
Ways to work with noise
Zoning Furniture arrangement
Ways to work with noise
Zoning Furniture arrangement Written policy
Ways to work with noise
Zoning Furniture arrangement Written policy Signage
Ways to work with noise
Zoning Furniture arrangement Written policy Signage Student self-monitoring
We’re still learning
We still get complaints Do we need additional soft seating? What causes students to self-monitor? What will students want ten years from
now?
Your turn
What have you experienced in your library?
Discussion points
How has noise affected your library? Have your attempts to address the noise
issue been successful? Have you found other successful ways to
address the noise issue? What causes students to self-monitor?