Depending on the day, the library either provides a great study experience or a frustrating experience for me. This might be because I define libraries as a study space, a working space and a printing space—not primarily as an information gathering space with books, microfilms and newspapers. How well I use the space is dictated by the design and the desk spaces at Boise State's library aren't suited well for all of my belongings. These include a phone, full sized laptop, oversized textbook, notebook, at least two charging plug outlets and maybe a drink from Starbucks. Most days I find myself conflicted about whether it would be just as distracting and difficult to study at home or at the library.
Perhaps you can relate to my experience below:
1. 1st floor
Surprisingly, as a 21st century student, I come to the library to study and not to read. I also don't come to the library to be seen. It isn't that I am ashamed to be seen studying, but I want to get away from everyone and not socialize or be startled by loud noises. So the first floor is automatically bypassed because there is little to no privacy and it's unpredictable.
2. 2nd floor
This is the floor that my library has put a lot of work into as far as creating co-working spaces and bringing in better chairs, bigger tables and just thinking about the space in general. But it is the most popular floor, which means it is loud and crowded. Even if I found a spot I liked, I most likely would be able to touch or hear the person next to me. Which again, is what I am avoiding.
3. 3rd and 4th floor
This leaves the abandoned, 80's style floors that have the smallest and smelliest study rooms. It has desks with not enough space or plug outlets. On these floors everyone knows the best areas and are praying to find one of the coveted spots with a plug outlet, good desk space, no smelly lunches nearby and maybe a window. You usually get one out of four.
If I was to ask for a library revamp I would ask for the same effort that was put into the second floor is put into the third and fourth. This way everyone could have access to good resources. Sure, the library isn't always filled to the brim with students having to study in hallways or on the floor purely because of a lack of space, but that doesn't mean we don't need more and better desks, chairs and outlets.
In fact, can we please get rid of the small desks? It is hard to fit my laptop and textbook in this space. I have to do an awkward juggle when taking notes on my computer or even notebook.
A visual of my frustrating desk experience on 3rd floor of the library.
Sometimes I discuss with friends that when the library was built, obviously patrons used far less personal devices and peripherals. But today, we all need the bigger tables for our stuff. If I had to pick a size, around two to three feet of personal space would be ideal at each desk to keep from dropping your drink at the edge of all your study materials. Sometimes even safety is at risk when you see a long extension cord stretching across an aisle to the nearest desk. Picture that every desk in the library that did not have easy access to an outlet disappeared. There would be a lot less desks in the library.
This is the footprint I usually make in my study space.
All the bookshelves in the library make me feel claustrophobic, they create narrow rows and I feel like they own the space more than I do. What bookshelves do well is isolate me from everyone else in the room. There has to be a better way. Today these bookshelves with 100 times more books than I will ever read feel like they prevent me from using the space as I want to. Maybe cubicles or pods would be a better use of space to provide the studying privacy I need.
Photo taken from YouTube video of Albertsons Library, Boise State University
The most disastrous thing about my library is not the space. It's the hours. The library needs to be open 24 hours, 7 days a week. On my campus students have no 24/7 study space where the lights stay on and it's considered relatively safe. But the 21st century student expects to be able to study well into the middle of the night and get on with life and socialization (maybe) during the day.
Libraries will continue to serve a very important function in our lives at school. But they need to adapt as we do. They can not be allowed to stay in the same function or design they did 20 or 30 years ago.
If you believe that Boise State's library doesn't serve your needs quite fully, I invite you to log onto your library's website and start emailing the librarians about your needs. Convince your friends to do the same. It's time student input brought about some immediate change.
