Randall Library is a dynamic resource and university community center that offers a wide range of services, materials, and environments.  Students and other researchers expect to find a place for quiet concentration and study, and the library has an obligation to ensure they have it.  At the same time, as more courses involve group work, the library provides spaces appropriate to group learning.  The library is also a teaching space, where librarians, staff and teaching faculty must talk to assist users in finding and understanding the information resources the library provides.  As a community center, the library hosts art receptions, where a certain amount of noise must be expected.  The technology provided by the library, from computers and printers to video and photocopiers, inevitably produces noise.   

The library has established several zones to accommodate all these uses of the building.  The following list documents the noise level that should be expected in each area. 

 A special note concerning cell phones:

The library recognizes the need for its users to stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues.  Cell phones are allowed in the building, except in areas designated below and by "no cell phone" signs.  However, upon entering the building, please set your phone to ring in "silent" mode. 

First Floor: 

The service desks (Circulation, Reference, Reserve) must provide assistance to users, and so a moderate level of noise should be expected. 

 The carrels and tables around the Reference Collection and behind the Microform Reading Room (beside the Bound Periodicals) are areas designated for study.  Noise should be kept to a minimum and cell phone use is not allowed. 

The lounge area and tables near the current periodicals and recreational reading collections are designated for minimal noise, but cell phones may be used. 

The library workstations (Catalog and Internet Areas) are active learning areas.  A moderate amount of noise is to be expected.  Cell phone use should be kept to a minimum.  For users who need a quieter environment for computing, laptops are available for use in the building by UNCW students, faculty and staff.  Ask at the Circulation Desk for a laptop.  See the ITSD Laptop Checkout Program web page for additional information. 

The main aisle of the first floor may be moderately noisy, especially when classes are changing or when tours and receptions are in progress. 

The Group Study Rooms are not sound proof.  Talking in moderate levels is permitted. 

The Instructional Services Classroom is a teaching area.  Talking in moderate levels is expected; however, cell phone use is not allowed. 

Second Floor: 

The Quiet Room is the area designated for total quiet.  No talking and no cell phone use is allowed.   

The carrels beyond the Graduate Computer Lab (behind the General Collection L-N section) are designated for quiet study.  Noise should be kept to a minimum and cell phone use is not allowed. 

The carrels, desks and tables on the remainder of the second floor are designated for minimal noise, and cell phones may be used. 

The Group Study Rooms are not sound proof.  Talking in moderate levels is permitted. 

What to do when noise is a problem:  

Everyone in the library should be considerate of those around them.  If you are being disturbed in an area designated as "minimal noise" remind the person that the area is intended for quiet study.  If this does not resolve the problem, please contact a staff member. 

If someone asks you to be quiet, please comply or move to one of the areas designated for moderate noise.  

Questions about this policy maybe addressed to Sue Cody, Associate University Librarian for Public Services.

Last updated: August 7, 2001.
Last Update: December 12, 2005