Getting out of the Noise

I always struggle with students on cell phones in the library. The library today should be more accommodating I think to myself. We now allow food and drink (within reason); we have group study rooms, collaboration at the computers is a growing trend, so why not cell phones.

Then I think of that one student in the back of the library. He's come here to get away from the noisy kids, or the distracting gaming roommate.

The library to that student is the one quiet place to come to study for that big test that will make or break his grade.

That student needs to not overhear what's for dinner, that student needs to not overhear what happened last weekend.

That student needs a sanctuary! This is why I tell people to silence their cell phone calls.

Is the library louder than it was 5 years ago. Yes, the very nature of libraries is changing and the need for collaboration has grown, so it is already a little too noisy for some and that is unfortunate.

However, each student who uses the library can and should control their cell phone conversations for the need of that student how came here to get out of the noise.

Lynn