One nice thing about our library building is that there are lots of nooks and crannies, especially on the upper and lower levels, where peace and quiet generally reign. The main level is designed primarily for collaborative work. The upper and lower levels usually are more quiet. If the atmosphere where you are working is particularly loud, you might try searching out a quieter area. Of course, if someone is being really loud or obnoxious, especially in an otherwise quiet area, please report the situation to library staff. We really do want the library to be a comfortable workspace for everyone.

In recent years, many college libraries, including Middlebury’s, have been conceived as much for collaborative uses as for individual study use, and balancing those uses can be a challenge. Another consideration is that the library is essentially the office for 70+ staff, and we do sometimes have group gatherings to either celebrate new arrivals, departures of long-time staff, or to celebrate achievements. Again, it’s all about balance.