I know that the first floor of TML is not intended to be a quiet floor. However, the noise level is frequently beyond what I think is appropriate for a library. People feel free to hold extensive conversations in loud voices (sometimes related to studying and sometimes not) and talk on cell phones, and the staffs' voices at the circulation desk are often very loud as well. I have been a frequent user of this library for 3 years, and the noise level has become a much bigger problem during this school year than it was in previous years. Is there anything that can be done?
From: Lyons

Dear Mr Hardy,

Thank you very much for your comments. We all have noticed that the noise level on the first floor tends to be high at times. This is due to a combination of factors, the coffee place, allowing library users
to eat food in the library which encourages group congregation and other things. We have also noticed that the number of library users has increased a lot this school year. So more people, more noise. The
library has really tried hard to be user friendly, hence allowing food and the coffee place, but these gestures unfortunately come at a price and one of them is the noise.

As far as staff being loud at the desk, I am really sorry to hear that and would like to ensure you that we will try as much as possible to control our noise level. I would also like to remind you that we do
have a quiet study room up on the second floor plus we have nine study rooms above
Special Collections that you can use. Lastly, please do not hesitate to let a staff member
know whenever you are in the library and the noise level is too high for your comfort.

Irene Lubker
Research Librarian, User Services
Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences