Tightening the stacks

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Cupertino, CA

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Written by Julian Laguisma

Friday, 30 October 2009 06:24

For many, it's a "classroom away from the classroom". In an academically competitive school such as MVHS, the library has become one of the hubs of intellectual and social life. But now the librarians are putting their foot down.

In an effort to drive away use of the library as a social scene and emphasize its use as a place of study, library management has instated policies. The most notable and recent sign in policy makes students sign in confirmation sheet that verifies that people in the library are not cutting class.

Ostensibly, this seems to be an abuse of power by the library faculty. Many argue that as students they should be allowed inside regardless of their intentions. In addition, they argue, the library is the only place to get the peace and quiet students sometimes need to work.

That's where students are wrong. There are a myriad of alternatives outside of libraries and classrooms, virtually anywhere on campus, where students can find an area to study that suits their specific needs.

According to Library Specialist Jodi Mitchell, suggested alternatives that are more accepting towards social interaction, than the library. The newly opened cafeteria in particular is a place where people can find an environment where they can work as well as socialize at will.

"The library is meant to be an orderly, attractive, quiet place of study [and] a courteous and respectful area" Mitchell said. Dozens of teenagers chatting away on their cellphones and conversing candidly does not reinforce this image.

As for locking students out of the library during tutorial. As harsh as this may seem, there is a rationale behind the policy. If you need a book, computer, or the internet—any resource that can be found only in the library, then the library is the place to be. However, if you don't need one of said resources, there are many other places you can spend your tutorial. Teachers are not mandated to stay in their classrooms during tutorial just to listen to music by themselves. So make a teacher's day special—spend tutorial in their room.

Our school is a gigantic area that accommodates approximately 3000 students with plenty of room to spare. It makes no sense to try and crowd a quarter of that population into one building built for 150. So take advantage of that space and find a new place to relocate your study group. Let APUSH kids read Bailey in peace.

Comments (1)

|Registered |2009-11-10 06:50:14 Richard Yu

The Cafeteria is NOT a place conducive to study whatsoever. During open first when the library is closed, I've been forced to go to the cafeteria, where a myriad of strange individuals talk loudly and play music loudly, making me unable to focus on whatever I'm attempting to do. More than once I've had to go and very tell them to STFU or GTFO.

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