Juniors 160 Juniors Beaumont Memorial Library A Place to Study? "Noise?" "In the library?" "Surely notl" So begins a memo put out by the University ' s Beaumont Memorial Library. But one visit to the library on a busy night will provide the obvious rejoiner, "Surely so! " The library has become an increasingly popular place among students to visit. "You know you can always find someone to talk to there," says freshman John Madden. Todd Gentry, a junior, adds, 'The only reason I go to the library is to socialize. I can't study over there." The noise in the library has become such a problem that the librarians had to give out the above-mentioned memo in the spring registration line . The memo asks students to be considerate , to study quietly , and to study in the conference rooms or outside the library if they need to study as a group. Why is the library such a popular place? Senior Ron Norwood claims, 'The library is really conductive to social interaction. " He adds, with sense of humor, "We go to study, but we're easily distracted ... We have a big time there. We like to play hide-andseek. And Clark even climbs on the bookshelves when the librarian 's not looking." "That 's where all the action is," he concludes. ' Junior Mike Baskett says, "It's fun to take a study break and see your friends ." "But he adds, most of the people don' t even take books to the library. They just go to socialize. " Mike Stewart , a junior , agrees, "One of my friends always says he's going to do research in the library , and he doesn 't take any books. " Some male students claim that the library is their favorite spot for "girl-watching," especially the periodical room. Norwood says, "I periodically lift my head in the periodical room and watch the girls who periodically walk by. " Freshman Tom Hobbs adds, "You can go drag the libra ry if you 're bored. " And one student states, 'THe library is the best place to scope ." Although many find the library a good place to visit , for some the noise is annoying. Junior Mark Dillingham says , "It 's really di sturbing when you have to ask someone to please be quiet. It really bothers me , the fact that in the reading room - or you could call it the social room - there's absolutely no way to get anything accomplished. And that's unfair to those that are there to get something done." Along with several other students, he claims that the library is one of the worst places on campus to study. "It isn' t serving its purpose ," he says. Some students suggest that the library include more conference rooms. Other suggestions are making the student center more appealing as a social center and making other buildings available for study. Dillingham adds . "I think they should put mice in there to scare out all the girls and get rid of the noise Despite the noise, Norwood claims, "As long as people aren't being really loud or rambunctious, I can get a lot of studying done. 'There are enough places in the library that if you want to study, you can, " he says . "And when you 're by yourself you can get a lot done. " Baskett agrees, "1 get my best studying done in the library , but I use the back room. " Dillingham notes that when people really have to study , they don't stay downstairs. They go upstairs and use the study carrels. "But there's only one problem with the carrels," says junior Steve Gaither. "You can't see all the girls go by." - Eddie Madden
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