Clare Struzziery, Staff Writer
February 9, 2024
When walking into the Putnam Library on any given weekday (excluding Wednesday) between the hours of 9:35 and 10:40 a.m., one can expect a buzzing Reading Room, students working around the stacks, and of course, the more scholarly or stressed crowd studying in the infamous Quiet Room. The library is widely regarded as the school’s social hub, particularly for Class I and II students. With the new schedule’s Community Time period, the building is busier than ever. This poses the question: is the social nature of the library a hindrance to student productivity?
The Reading Room is the center of campus for many Upper Schoolers. It’s a place to spend time with friends, play the occasional game of President, and attempt to get work done in what, for many students, is a sea of distractions. Contrary to what the name might suggest, it is sometimes very difficult to read in the reading room. “It’s just way too loud. It’s too much fun happening around you,” Noah Brauner (Class II) said. However, what creates a distraction for some students is a welcome benefit for others. “My peers encourage me to get work done and force me to be a better student,” Annie Spring (Class II) said. Though Spring’s attitude and laser focus aren’t exactly common, there are tools students can use to minimize the noise. “I tend to put headphones on to block out any noise that might distract me,” Phiona Nabagereka (Class II) said.
When even AirPods can’t mask the sound of a rowdy game of Guess Who, students flock to the Quiet Room for an atmosphere free of any distractions. For some, it’s an absolute necessity. “I can’t study at all unless I’m in the Quiet Room,” Irene Gao (Class I) said. The room’s zero-tolerance policy for noise of any kind, including the unfortunate notification or cough, is a peaceful respite from the sometimes chaotic reading room. This year, Community Time has increased the volume of students in the space, making it a challenge to secure a seat during the period. “The Quiet Room is certainly busier this year. I’ve noticed that if I want to get my favorite seat there, I have to arrive a bit earlier,” Brauner said. If the Quiet Room is full, things get a little trickier for students. “The Quiet Room tends to fill up, and then you have to struggle to find a quiet place,” Nabagereka said.
A less densely populated but still notable library study spot is the “coffee bar.” This long wooden desk provides an appreciated middle ground for many students. The coffee bar strikes a balance between the bustling Reading Room and the silent Quiet Room, offering, as the name suggests, coffee shop noise levels. This is appreciated by certain students. “I prefer the coffee bar because it’s somewhere in between,” Nabagereka said. In fact, Brauner coded most of the Nobles App at the coffee bar, specifically, in the seat closest to the Reading Room. “I like [working at] the [coffee] bar because I feel like there’s always a constant hum of background noise, which is really relaxing when I’m doing my work,” Brauner said.
Working in the Reading Room during Community Time can be distracting. Trying to focus on finishing an English paper or prepping for a Euro DBQ can feel impossible when sharing a crowded table with ten other students and hearing countless overlapping conversations. The social nature of this building does prove useful when working on a group project or studying with classmates, though. “I find it quite helpful, especially when there’s a bunch of people who can help you study the same thing,” Nabagereka said. Many students also feel totally comfortable picking up and going to the Quiet Room if and when the Reading Room proves too distracting. “It’s not like if you need to get work done, you’re missing out on the big social time,” Brauner said.
A library is typically a place to study in near-silence. At Nobles, it’s different. Though noise levels are carefully monitored by the librarians, it’s impossible to deny that the Reading Room is a social center. However, different options exist for students seeking a quieter place. Though everyone and their studying habits are different, one thing can unite nearly every Nobles student. At the end of the day, when trying to cram for a massive Physics test or daunting in-class essay, students will turn to only one location: the Quiet Room. “That’s where I can really focus, not worry about any distractions, and work productively,” Brauner said.
(Photo Credit: Avery Winder)
