1. SUSH NO MORE: ACCOMMODATING NOISE IN TODAY’S LIBRARY Darla Bressler & Kathryn Yelinek

2. Why this topic?  BU Librarians noticed increased noise levels and changes in student behaviors  LibQual results in 2006 & 2009 indicated unhappiness with noise levels  Prompted research and library changes

3. Situation at Andruss Library  Original library design wasn’t working

4. So we started to make changes…  Moved Reference Desk to 1 st Floor  Soft seating, tables, carrels in strategic locations

5. … And noise levels changed  Complaints about noise on all floors are down  Librarians have noticed significant decrease in noise levels

6. What we learned from the research  Perfect storm of technology, changes in librarians, and changes in students has created increased noise levels

7. Changes in technology...  Cell phones/conversations  Ipods  Computers/printers  Databases  Smart boards

8. Changes in librarians...  Efforts to change stereotypical image  Efforts to become more adaptive and patron- friendly

9. Changes in students...  Millennials—a new generation of students  Student expectations:  “Digital natives”  Multi-taskers  Demand personalization/customization Spaces to study alone OR in groups Spaces for quiet AND for talk

10. Ways to work with noise  Common sense  No one-size-fits-all  Buy-in from those involved  Be willing to admit mistakes

11. Ways to work with noise  Zoning

12. Ways to work with noise  Zoning  Furniture arrangement

13. Ways to work with noise  Zoning  Furniture arrangement  Written policy

14. Ways to work with noise  Zoning  Furniture arrangement  Written policy  Signage

15. Ways to work with noise  Zoning  Furniture arrangement  Written policy  Signage  Student self-monitoring

16. We’re still learning  We still get complaints  Do we need additional soft seating?  What causes students to self-monitor?  What will students want ten years from now?

17. Your turn  What have you experienced in your library?

18. Discussion points  How has noise affected your library?  Have your attempts to address the noise issue been successful?  Have you found other successful ways to address the noise issue?  What causes students to self-monitor?