No Rest for the Weary

Well it's about that time again... I'm in need of a study break, so here goes.

I think it's time for a little lesson in library etiquette. Now, I'm currently sitting in the aptly named "Grand Reading Room" in the main library on campus (Gorgeous- if you haven't checked it out, you should), and it's come to my attention in the past few weeks that there is a definite need for some tutorials in library etiquette on this campus. I feel that at this point, I am more than qualified to be addressing these issues, if for no other reason that my one source of entertainment between the hours of 8 and 5 most weekdays is the general migration from one library to another. I, therefore, have no qualms about pointing out some obvious infractions to the universally accepted code of etiquette.

1. Group study rooms are for, just that GROUP study. Now, I like studying within the confines of a room as opposed to out in the middle of the library where I will inevitably become distracted as much as the next person, but I will refrain from using any space labeled "group study" unless I have an entourage that consists of at least one other person. It doesn't make sense to take up an entire study room, often consisting of a 12-person conference table, if you are the only one in the room. Even if one's backpack, in itself, feels like carrying around another person, it in fact does not constitute another person, and therefore does not give you free reign to monopolize a group study room.

2. As I have already pointed out, the main library on campus is gorgeous, and often, a much nicer option than Prior. However, what gives with all the tour groups coming through here? It can be pretty distracting to hear people talking about the features of the "quiet" study room you are occupying, while you're trying your hardest to not be ADD for once and get something accomplished. I mean, what do you say on a tour like that? "And here are the sad, pathetic medical students still studying here on a Friday afternoon after everyone's already left for the weekend. We pity their poor souls..." With the tour groups, inevitably comes the annoying kids that for some reason people find it necessary to drag along with them to tour the library. Now, I don't know about you, but an 11-floor library full of books wasn't exactly my idea of fun when I was 5 years old. Nowhere in the name William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library is there mention of the words playground or daycare...

3. Perhaps the most important rule of library etiquette is the distance rule. It reads, "If one enters a space within a library where others are already positioned and studying, it is expected that he/she will claim a spot that is greater than or equal to at least one table's length away from said studiers in order not to disturb them and/or make them claustrophobic by your presence within their personal space bubble." Case and point- 2 days ago, 2 of us were studying together at a table in a library where we were, literally, the only ones in the entire library. Another student came up the stairs and proceeded to sit at the table directly next to us. Mind you, there were at least 50 other tables on that floor. And the icing on the cake is that she sat at the chair that put here closest to our table- about an arms length away from us. What nerve! We must just be that cool that people want to sit so close to us.

4. Lastly, just because you work in the library, you are not immune to the code of etiquette. Yesterday, in the main library, we were studying on the 4th floor, and for a solid 40 minutes, we had to put up with the obnoxiously whiny and extremely loud voice of a woman that carried all the way up from the ground floor. 1 by 1, the people sitting near us in the library started to put on headphones, but unfortunately, that did not really help the fact that we could still hear her entire conversation. I could've sworn she was screaming. Come to find out, she is actually the girl that works at one of the information desks! Some brave soul finally approached her, and the quiet was restored to the library after she realized that we had been unwillingly eavesdropping on her entire conversation for the past 40 minutes.

That about covers it...

I can't believe I just typed 5 paragraphs ranting about the use of libraries. My life is truly complete now...

Thanks for reading...