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?