(Mar 6/23) I am frustrated with the noise level in the library, which has significantly increased over the past few weeks. Despite the librarys quiet policy, it has become difficult to concentrate due to noise from group discussions, loud phone calls, and eating. This is affecting my academic performance and that of other students who also require a quiet environment to study effectively. I suggest the library management implement stricter measures, such as designated areas for group discussions or noisy activities, or hiring more security personnel to enforce the rules. Please address this issue promptly to maintain a conducive environment for studying and research.

(Feb 7/23) There should be an online-live chat or something where we can report if people in study areas are being inappropriate / loud. SO many times there are people who are extremely loud in the quiet areas which isnt fair for the many students who choose to sit in quiet areas to study.

(Feb 10/22) Hello, I wanted to know if there were any private 1-person conference rooms on campus (to hold meetings and such). When discussing sensitive research data, I want to ensure the privacy of participants in research studies but dont have a place to hold Zoom meetings with professors.

(May 4/19) I was very disappointed to see today that the Health Science Library will be closed every weekend (along with every other library on campus) over the summer. I find this to fall embarrassingly far below the standard of services expected at a world- leading medical school. It is well known that medical students and residents do not follow the traditional University calendar and often have many exams (ALL Royal College exams, MCCQE etc) taking place during the summer months. As such, the Health Science Libray plays a vital role to medical learners at McMaster, as residents and medical students continue to study, learn, teach, and work. I would also underscore this fact by highlighting that there are NO other dedicated study spaces at any of the other major teaching hospitals across the city. As such, the library has remained the only place for medical students and residents to study, collaborate, and advance their clinical knowledge. A quick online review demonstrates that this thrifty approach is unique to McMaster. In fact, there is no other medical school in CANADA that closes its health sciences library on weekends (this includes a review of all 14 English language medical schools health science libraries). This is for good reason - the medical community including medical students, residents, and faculty depend on the library as a space to work year round. In an era where our medical school has received some of the largest philanthropic donations in Canadian history, I find it puzzling that the very heart of any univerisy, its libraries, would be a place the University would try to pinch a few pennies. I wonder if the medical school/students, PARO resident representatives, or Post Graduate Medical Education, were consulted when this decision was made?

(Apr 15/19) Hi! The Grad study room in Mills has some great high desks at the windows, but not enough high chairs to fill them - might it be possible to get a couple more?

(Mar 24/19) This year I have noticed an increase in 2 issues that have made Thode more and more unfriendly to study in. Number 1 There has been a huge increase in the lack of respect for the quiet study areas and staff are less and less responsive to complaints. Number 2 There has been an explosion in the number of people vaping inside the library. It was bad enough when people were doing it outside despite McMasters status as a non-smoking campus but for it to now have spread to inside a university building makes it look like the new rule only made things worst

(Mar 19/19) There is an awful buzzing noise in Mills Commons which makes it quite distracting/annoying when Im trying to get work done there. The buzzings been going on for a couple of weeks and gives me a headache Im there for long - could you kindly look into remedying the situation?

(Feb 4/19) Hi, I have noticed that multiple people continue to vape (smoke) in the middle of the library, especially all over second floor. It smells gross and I really would rather not breath that in. Please put signs or something saying no vaping or actually enforce the rules. thanks

(Nov 18/18) Hi! I have noticed that all other libraries have somewhere to report loud noise in quiet spaces. The health science library does not have this option. I find that the group study rooms near the silent study space do not have very good noise cancelling abilities and groups are often very very loud while they are using them. I was wondering why the health science library does not have a noise reporting system like the other libraries do.

(Apr 26/18) Thank you so much for providing a small and comfortable working space to focus on studies and learning. All the attention provided by the librarians towards the students is truly appreciated. McMaster is a better place with Innis library.

(Oct 26/17) The Health Science Library is great, and people love studying here, but recently (particularly during midterms) it has gotten to be very full all the time. The problem is, many students are coming early, and then taking very long breaks while leaving their books/notes on a desk for hours at a time, while there are students working on the floor because they cant find a desk. It might be useful for staff to go around at random times to check and make sure that people arent saving their spots for extended periods of time.

(Sep 18/17) The water bottle fill station/ drinking fountain on the lower level of HSL has very poor pressure. It took me 3 minutes to fill my water bottle. A possible reason for this could be that the filter is clogged/needs to be replaced.

(Apr 20/17) Emphasize the the Reading Pavilion is a group study space (as listed on the map on the website) rather than silent study. Most people are not aware of this and get upset at people using the space for group work as they are talking.

(Mar 20/17) Having Group study rooms in the basement of thode effectively defeats the entire purpose of the basement environment, which is supposed to be a quiet study area with no talking. When multiple groups get together in the rooms and talk/laugh very loudly it is disruptive to the outside environment, even though they may not realize it. Unfortunately, the only solutions I can think of that involves keeping these rooms as group study rooms is to properly and professionally sound proof the rooms to allow minimal sound to escape. Or, staff can conduct patrols to keep the noise down, however, this solution would waste staff time and resources. Quiet study is the main reason I come to thode instead of other libraries, but its becoming difficult with the level of noise in the basement. Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

(Dec 8/16) can we please get standing desks installed somewhere as it improves health and studying

(Mar 31/16) I am consistently surprised by how dirty HSL is, regardless of the time of day. I find garbage on the floor, hair in the cubicles, spilt drinks, used toilet paper on the bathroom floor. Its just disgusting. Students are of course part of the problem. Maybe posters in the cubicles reminding people to pick up after themselves would be helpful. But I am very doubtful that HSL is being cleaned regularly, especially the cubicles and washrooms.

(Mar 21/16) Spaces that are labelled silent study such as the sixth floor are not being used by students in this way. There should be a better way to monitor this such as putting cameras or something to ensure that students are using this space appropriately.

(Mar 16/16) I love the new arrangement of bookshelves in the Reserve Room (2nd floor behind main desk)! I think moving some of the couches/armchairs from the Reading Pav to the new space, or some desks/tables would be an excellent use of the space. Thanks!

(Mar 2/16) The second floor on thode gets really loud, especially during exam time. I understand its a busy time of year, but sometimes there are people that crowd in big groups and talk really loud right beside people that are clearly trying to study. It makes it really hard to concentrate, even while wearing ear plugs

(Feb 24/16) I really love the new online room booking and was wondering if it will be permanent? It makes room booking and staying organized so much easier. Please keep it!

(Feb 13/16) I would like to thank the maintenance staff, administration and contractors responsible for getting the water pressure for the bottle refill station on the lower floor study area back up to normal. This is tremendously convenient and deeply appreciated.

(Apr 10/15) The 6th floor at mills has varying temperatures; It is getting unreasonably hot for some reason. I asked around, and people feel the same. Its been like this for the past couple of days that Ive come here. If something can be done to maintain a normal room temperature, that would be nice. Thank you.

(Dec 18/14) Love the Basement study space however can you add some comfy chairs like the ones in Mills to the study space, cause sometimes it is nice to get comfy when studying.

(Dec 3/14) Ive noticed recently that there are not enough chairs on the second floor of Thode library. I was looking for a place to study, and, while there were perhaps a couple dozen empty desks, there was not a single unoccupied chair in the room. I know people tend to move chairs around without returning them, but it definitely seemed like there were not enough chairs to cover all the work areas.

(Nov 18/14) It is unfortunate how many students are disrespectful of the 6th floor silent zone. Every time I use this space I have to tell students to stop talking, which is frustrating because this shouldnt be happening. I have used the quiet@mcmaster email before, however, I wonder if a more effective approach would be to have someone patrol the floor every hour as my email isnt always responded to immediately. Its frustrating to have to ask this. I am baffled by how many students do not respect the quiet zone. I was going to also suggest more posters about how it is the quiet zone, but Im not sure how helpful that would be considering that I have often asked students sitting next to the giant SILENT ZONE letters to stop talking. Any help with this matter would be greatly appreciated!

(Oct 9/14) Hello, I am curious if anybody has noticed a subtle vibration running through the lower floor of Health Sciences Library. I am trying to determine if there is actually a vibration or if I am suffering from a kinaesthetic hallucination possibly brought on by some kind of environmental factor. Its not quite people in the air conditioning, but neither is it particularly conducive to my studies. Thank you for your assistance.

(Sep 23/14) Noise restrictions are not respected in this library too often by a minority of students. However, this minority is enough to spoil the quiet. It is a huge pain to set up computer/book/paper/etc in a good spot, only to have someone else come into the proximity 10 minutes later when they clearly should have stayed downstairs. Too often do people come up with food/chums and begin with raucous laughter... even if they chose to whisper things would be much better. I know levels of respect seem to have declined over the years (I remember Thode having dead silence before in areas), but the noise restrictions must be made more apparent AND enforced somehow. With a new batch every year, they are either ignorant to the rules (unlikely due to the many signs posted) or just flat out selfish. I know its not fun for a librarian to play bad cop, but the message is not received by some who feel it is their right to act however they wish. The idea of a group study space/lounge/cafe on the first floor is great, and these people should be redirected there -- by official staff. I dont see what would be wrong with someone on duty to take a walk around every so often and remind people of the expectations. People would get the message after a while and the problem would improve significantly over time. Thode librarys 2nd floor in particular is a wonderful space: - open space - natural light - an interesting floor layout where you have enough privacy and still feel the energy of fellows around you doing work - comfortable seating/temperature/desk space - good coffee just downstairs Thank you for taking the time to read my comment.

(Jun 10/14) Why on earth would McMaster build QUIET STUDY ROOMS beside offices? Students, faculty members and staff cant study quietly in these spaces which are signed out when they are built within the zones of offices where people talk loudly! (eg. Study room in MILLS 310/B and C

(May 24/14) Its become a joke how disruptive the environment has become in certain parts of Mills (the second floor is referred to as Club Mills). This seems to be a growing trend: noisy students being allowed to talk, eat, watch videos on computers that are meant to be used for education, and do anything but study in the libraries. Now Thode has a study space in place of its periodicals that will no doubt become a conversation floor in a similar way. This must stop. Something must be done. I am a graduate student and thankfully do not have to put up with this kind of thing, having a quiet study space with respectful student colleagues around me. But, I remember being in even less tense environments than are becoming more ubiquitous now, as an undergrad. Back then, it was a quiet study room with a couple of trouble- makers. Even though I couldnt focus due to the out-of-place noise, being young and timid (as other studious individuals may be) I didnt have the chutzpah to ask for respectful silence. It was awful, and a lot of time and concentration was lost due to this nonsense. And now, the situation is very clearly worse. Please, staff and management of the libraries: do something. Make it a campaign for study. Study should be encouraged and supported. Loud fun times should be looked down upon in the library; noise and disruption should be quelled or expelled. I who has been and those who now are fed up with being pushed out by disrespectful, entitled individuals eagerly await a response, and more eagerly await swift action. Solving this wouldnt cost money, it would only take guts and resolve to preserve and indeed revive a positive, studious environment that those who truly belong in a place of learning deserve and should expect. Kindest regards, especially to those who serve within the libraries and may also be frustrated with this not so recent trend.

Follow-up Comments:

Thank you for the information, it is helpful. After some thought and more investigation, it seems that the issue may not be only about availability or designation of study space. Rather, its how the space is being used. The study spaces are being used as social spaces, not for collaborative work. In fact, the socialization that is happening is damaging to collaborative work, which is the intended benefactor of the space in the first place. The establishment of the quiet@mcmaster.ca email address was an excellent idea. Perhaps in addition, more postings could be made around quiet areas to encourage the self-policing and use of the email address. Would it be possible to look at ways of creating a culture in the libraries to encourage students to be vocal and active (in a respectful, co-operative way of course) about keeping things quiet around them? Going along with the above, there may be a need for heightened awareness of social space locations, as well. Perhaps this could be part of what is done to preserve the right environment of study spaces. Do students know where to go to hang out? Are there enough spaces for this, and are they accessible enough? Of course these latter two issues (availability and accessibility of social space) are outside the scope of the libraries responsibilities, but the first issue (awareness of social spaces and their locations) is something that could be a part of a quiet study space campaign. Thank you again for the information, and for posting my original comment and the response to it! (2014-06-12)

(Apr 17/14) Can we get more plugs for cubicles in Mills (especially 4th and 6th floor)? Sometimes its really difficult trying to find a seat with a plug nearby and we are forced to find somewhere else to study

(Mar 3/14) One concern I have is the lack of adequate 100% silent study space in most of McMasters libraries. Mills 6th floor is designed to be totally quiet, yet there are two elevators that are constantly making that annoying noise that signals when the elevator arrives at the floor. Is there any way to disable that noise on the 6th floor? Because of the floor layout, there really is no space up there that would be free of this nuisance.

(Feb 19/14) The lighting on the lower level of HSL servicing the cubicles does not seem to be bright enough. Unless you sit close to the window you are forced to stare at an extremely bright computer screen and if you are using a hardcopy there is nothing you can do. One row of lights also tends to turn off periodically. When the lights are due for servicing a would suggest addressing this. Thanks.

(Feb 13/14) I understand there are floors in Mills library that are for silent study but these are often times really full making it hard to find a place to sit. This results in having to sit on other floors where talking is allowed which is okay but yelling and speaking excessively loud should not be permitted. Is there any way to moderate this? Its really hard to study when you can hear peoples conversations 4 tables away!

(Feb 8/14) Many of the power outlets at the cubicles on the second floor of the student center to not work. I am not sure who maintains these but it should be of concern to upkeep the limited study spaces that we do have. Thanks

(Jan 15/14) Are there any study spaces that are COMPLETELY quiet? I like studying on the 4th Mills Library in the quiet study area, however the sign says low conversation is allowed -- low conversation often equals people talking non stop for long periods of time. It would just be helpful to have a completely quiet zone for those who need it. Im hoping this is possible.. and not too much to ask seeing as it is a library! Thank you!!

(Dec 11/13) In the basement, there should be power bars at every set of desks, not only the select few. The majority of people utilizing this study space use their computers, which results in significant crowding around those few desks that do have power bars.

(Sep 30/13) The 6th floor of mills study is suppose to be a quiet studying place, but people tend to come up here with their friends and treat it like a place to hang out and talk. There are signs, but nothing is ever reinforced. Whats the point of having a silent study, if its actually a silent study but a hang out space?

(Sep 19/13) hi, I have always studied on the third floor and it seems as if the desks have been shifted. Half the study desks by the bay window do not have plugs any more and others have plugs right by the chair instead of centered between the two desks. I had a very uncomfortable moment with someone trying to crawl thru to plug in her laptop like right under my desk. If someone could please look into if the desk can be shifted back Thanks

(Aug 26/13) I think that the No smelly food or meals in the library rule needs to be better enforced. Ive seen the signs around the library, however I dont think they are effective. I was studying in the Reading Pavilion when an older woman (didnt look like a student) came in to have her lunch. She proceeded to open up and eat a can of sardines. The smell was distracting to say the least, and it lingered in the air for some time afterwards. As a student, I have no problem with people eating lunches in the library, and although it should be common sense not to eat such odorous food in a public space dedicated to quiet study, the reality is that some individuals remain oblivious to the way others are affected.