Bedford - concern

A library is is treated as a social event. The gateway and campus centre are available for rowdy boys wanting to watch football and girls more concerned about screaming last nights antics than actually doing work. I have had to leave the library from both 1st and 3rd floor on several occasions due to an inability to hear myself think or concentrate due to the sheer volume of noise which goes unnoticed by libraries passing the area. I know they are lecturers and do not need to tell grown people off like little children but they should to some degree penalise those who stop the library fulfilling its purpose of being study area. It's ridiculous.

Thank you for contacting me and letting me know the problems you are dealing with. Choosing your preferred study environment is essential in trying to do your best work. I completely understand your choice to work in the Silent area. I would suggest that you continue to use level 2 as it is silent. If there is any noise on this floor please report it to staff at the Customer Service desk on the ground floor

Level 1 Social Study area and the Learning Hub were specifically developed as direct responses to  the teaching needs of the University. Virtually every course of study has an element of group work that requires appropriate space for students to work together. Each student of the University has their own learning style. This style may change as an individual progresses through academia or according to the assignment in hand. Some people like to work in noisy environments. Some people need to talk as part of their learning style. As a University of adults self monitoring is a part of that progression. One person's idea of quiet or silent is quite different to another. Setting a standard of behaviour when applied across 200 individuals the environment is not going to be quiet. 

Silent Study floor: level 2 of Bedford Library is designated Silent Study floors at the request of the student community. Provision is made for group and social learning elsewhere so there is an expectation for students to choose their preferred study environment and abide by the requirements. The Silent floor is monitored by staff patrols - during staffed hours. Any student caught breaking the Silence requirement is allowed one warning after that Library sanctions come into effect. Student behaviour was a key theme at a Student Union conference. This is a university concern which is being looked at by staff, students themselves and the Student Union.