The Henry Madden Library at CSU Fresno is perhaps the most high profile new building in the San Joaquin Valley. It surely is has become a landmark building and destination of the Fresno State campus.
The Madden Library warrants a full detailed review, which my take sometime. However, recently a note was posted to the Library’s Facebook page that we found of interest.
The sound issue with the stairs has been a lightning rod for discussion. The metal mesh stairs cantilevering in a large volume. Architects AC Martin Partners in association with RMJM Hillier chose the metal mesh on the stair are part of a reoccurring theme, intended to evoke the qualities of Native American basket weaving. The linear stairway the runs the length of the building and is one of the primary interior features.
In some ways it takes on the qualities of a Native American percussion instrument more than the qualities of a Native American basket. Though we have word that the stairs were heavily value engineered so it was not built the way it was detailed/designed. That said, the expanded lath isn’t adhered to the frame and stringers so each time you take a step, it pushes the extruded metal down against the metal.
Perhaps it is a post justification of a flawed design that the modern library is not the whisper quiet space that it once was. However, the results from the Institute of Public Anthropology’s study of student needs for the library interior showed that students desire “loud areas”. Area that students feel free to socialize and collaborate.
So what are your thoughts? Have you spent time in the new Library? Was the sound of people walking on the stairs distracting from what you were doing? Has the Library’s design balanced aesthetics and function? What are potential solutions?
Students draw a distinction between the “noise” of group study and animated discussion and the “noise” of the staircase in much the same way someone watching television, or listening to the radio, notices the distinction between white noise and the sound of a television or radio channel. One is a sensory index to a certain type of activity and the other is a jarring distraction.
I think the library was aiming at something akin to the sound of softly falling rain with the stairway. It was intended to be calming and relaxing.
As to the general issue of sound in the library: The library has a variety of loud and quiet areas. But, in general the north side by the staircase on the second floor is the loudest area and the library becomes progressively quieter as you move away from that epicenter.
“However, today’s libraries are not like those of old. They are places to meet, work, interact, and yes, have coffee.” I assume this fb note was written by a library faculty member (i.e. an academic librarian). After working on a year-long research project with the library, I’ve come to respect the highly creative, forward-thinking attitude of its faculty. This statement contains recognition that sometimes, on some things, it’s good to change with the times – not a notion that everyone in academia accepts. The problem is that student preferences are so diverse that the library must be many things to many people. I think they’re doing a great job, in spite of the unexpected problem with the stairs.
I agree with the perspectives above. Many faculty now assign collaborative projects to students, and enforcing strict quiet throughout the library would limit students’ opportunity to work on those tasks there. Additionally, libraries already struggle to attract students who prefer to locate information online. Providing a variety of “loud”/quiet study spaces is really the only workable strategy. The noises from the stairs would probably bother me for a little while, but then the sounds fade into the background – at least until they surge with the next high-traffic period between scheduled classes. Personally, I think the erratic sound of the beeping from the (awful) compressed shelving on the ground floor would be far more annoying than the stairs.
As someone who studies in the library a few times a week I’ve came to really love the new space. The previous library had little foot traffic, was dreary and depressing and I personally only used it a handful of times for studying. The new design is welcoming and a wonderful place to go. Not surprisingly, the best seats are also the loudest, but I find the stair noise to be like white noise that helps distract from the noise of conversations, so it never bothered me. There are plenty of quiet areas and also private single rooms that seem to be pretty soundproof. I’m going to miss it once I graduate.
The stairs don’t bother me so much as the fast closing elevators that might rip someone’s arm off one day.
I’ve spent time in the new library (was the first person to be served by the Circulation/Library Services desk the day it opened). I have a few issues with the stairs but they have more to do with the sensation of walking safely than the noise. The “bounce” is a mite disconcerting if one is not surefooted on stairs to begin with.
One thing I’ve noticed however, is the lack of people browsing the stacks. Of course, that’s a component of the moveable shelving as opposed to the traditional shelving used in the old building. Personally, I miss the old stacks, but hey, that’s progress!
In a way, I’m glad to see students “complaining.” Right after the new building opened in February, the postings about it on The Collegian’s blog revolved around “it’s a waste of money; I never use it because I do all my research on line” and other moans of the same ilk. In my mind, the new “complaints” are a compliment because it means STUDENTS ARE USING THE SPACE! And, that’s wonderful.
The noise issues aren’t that big a deal and can be resolved relatively easily.
“Our goal was to create spaces that meet various learning styles and student needs.” The additon to the library is doing a good job of meeting the different styles/needs of students. As commented above, there are areas that are louder than others and have been accepted by students. Some of the loudness can be misinterpreted as students slacking off or wasting time, but in actuality they are gathering information using the tools available today. Many do not utilize the books found int the library physically, instead look for information through social networks and websites either via a cell/smart phone or computer. I feel the library’s acceptance of this atmosphere is beneficial to today’s students.
When I first visited the new library I was quite surprised that the stairs made so much noise. I later found out that it was the intention of the design to have them sound like rain, this justified it a little bit, but it didn’t quite make sense to have noisy stairs in a library (if the purpose of the library is to have a completely quiet atmosphere). I do agree though that having a mixed-volume space to work/collaborate/study is important and necessary in today’s culture.
What are libraries if they are not, y’know, libraries? With all that quiet solitude and graying librarians sticking their fingers to their mouths and going “SHHH!”? I was in the library yesterday and took a study break to surf Facebook and look up cheap computer accessories on zippee.com, but all I could hear was footsteps. Not like rain, but a parade. If I wanted that, I would go back to my apartment to listen to Mr. Upstairs clomp around. Some people are old fashioned and need absolute silence and concentration.