I am frustrated by library users (presumably UW Law students) taking phone calls and Zoom calls in common areas of the library that are not soundproofed.
I am frustrated by library users (presumably UW Law students) taking phone calls and Zoom calls in common areas of the library that are not soundproofed. I end up being distracted by others talking on a regular basis. I frequently see students take phone calls right at natural light tables and carrels on L1. People often take phone calls or Zoom calls in the L1 student lounge, sometimes without even bothering to use headphones, meaning I can hear both the student in the library and the person they're talking on the phone or on Zoom. I wish that students had better etiquette and understood that libraries are supposed to be quiet spaces, but since they don't seem to know this basic etiquette, could the law library staff work on educating library users on where to take phone calls and Zoom calls (in soundproofed or private spaces in the library or OUTSIDE the library) and enforcing noise reduction policies? Signage, an email blast, and personal outreach could help.
Answer
We're so sorry to hear this! We can't really control the volume of your fellow law students. And while we could post signs, they tend to get ignored.
As a reminder to everyone--most areas of the Law Library are intended to be quiet. Only the Reference Area and Student Lounge on L1 and the RSO Commons/study rooms are intended to be collaborative spaces where folks can attend class virtually, meet with others, and take phone calls. Please respect your fellow studiers and keep your voice and computer sounds to a minimum in all open spaces in the Law Library.
Other options:
- Head over to the Info Desk and ask for some free earplugs or check out some headphones
- Respectfully ask the other student to move to a collaborative space
- Move yourself to a quieter library area--there are a couple of single-user study rooms in the RSO Commons with closing doors ("L2 Collaborative Commons Individual Study Rooms"). The L1 carrels back in the Classified Stacks near call number A tend to be well-insulated from sound. And the L2 carrels along the back wall are also typically very quiet.
- If it's really bad, chat with a librarian on duty and we will send out a staff member to talk to the person