I am sure this discussion has been touched on by many others. My topic today is about the current status of seating in the library. Summer is almost over! As usual, libraries are less busy in terms of students during this time but those starting school in September will be looking for places to study.

While there are 4 other libraries on campus, students still aren’t able to find a seat in the library. I know that is a unique problem in its own and at the same time it’s a campus wide issue. What is the library doing to help students find a seat? I struggle to find a seat during regular hours but I don’t try and find one when I have to study for exams or work on my own laptop. Those are the only times when I don’t care about a seat. I would simply sit on the floor and work on things. But I find students doing this most of the time. Why do you think they do that?

I do it because I like studying in the library and any other space on campus doesn’t have the feel of a library. Libraries are a motivation in itself. Secondly, because that is how I study at home. I get lots of space to spread out my material and stretch my legs as opposed to dangling from the chair if I was sitting.

Fortunately, I have been able to make a studying plan for the upcoming year. I am going to plan ahead where and when I am going to study. At the same time I will explore what times the library isn’t greatly busy so I can drop by to for a print resources or go through materials when I have a break between classes. I have also decided to diversify and explore spaces in other libraries. Do you think this plan will work? What are your suggestions for students looking for a space? What would you have done?

Thanks for checking out this blog. We are seeking  the  advice, feedback, suggestions and commentary from students about York University Libraries buildings, collections and services. 

Where is the coolest place to study?

During summer classes it is relatively easy to find the perfect place in the library to study, complete assignments or collaborate with colleagues. Do you come to the library to study?  Why or why not? Where is your favourite place?  What do you like about it?  What could make your favourite place even better?

My favourite study space must have lots of natural sunlight along with a great view. I will need a place to put my feet up and plenty of room to spread out my working materials.  Fortunately for me I can “tune out” most noises so I don’t need to use music for white noise or seek out a truly silent area. Lastly I usually want something to drink and nibble on while working on papers and reports. I have to tell you my office in Scott Library is almost perfect. Its one shortcoming is that the windows don’t provide a panoramic view of the outdoors. Therefore the perfect place for me to work on assignments would be at one of the tables by the window in Fireside Reading Room at Frost Library, overlooking the rose garden with a cup of coffee and a handful of chocolate covered almonds. 

If you haven’t seen the Fireside Reading Room since its renovation last November, take a look at this video we created that showcases the space.