Library renovations will continue into 2013 before they are completed, according to the university library website.
The lack of study space, and the construction noise have got many students searching to find a quiet corner to hit the books.
“We didn’t come into the library for the first part of the year because we didn’t know where anything was,” said second-year psychology and communications student Maraki Kifle, who said she used to study at home.
Her study partner, Ashley Lawrence, also a second-year psychology student, said, “we’re trying to change that though.”
The two said they plan to do most of their exam studying in the library, and the library is working on different solutions to help them.
University librarian Margaret Haines said the welcome desk and the whiteboard next to it are the best places to get information on where to study each day.
“We’re making some classrooms available — now that classes are finished — in Southam Hall as silent study space,” she said.
“We’re trying to direct students to parts of the library where the noise is less . . . we tend to put announcements out and have something on the whiteboard about that.”
She said she encourages students to use library space after 3 p.m. when construction stops.
“We’re open 24 hours a day at the moment, so that provides [students] with longer hours of study,” she said.
But even with extra hours, space is still an issue.
Bryan Tobin, a second-year communications student, said he has difficulty finding a regular study space.
“You used to be sly enough to find your own spots by going in a certain way. You’re not able to do that anymore because everyone’s kinda following where you’re going,” he said.
Tobin said his issue is with how the renovations affect access to other library resources.
“There were books that we needed to get checked out and because they have certain areas closed off, we’re not allowed to go in to get the books,” he said.
He continues by detailing how a construction worker once fetched a book for him, although he said it shouldn’t be their job to do so.
Tobin and first-year journalism student Erica Howes said they have found a better place than the library to get in some quality study time in the River Building.
“I do most of [my studying] at the library or the journalism lounge,” Howes said.
Tobin agreed.
“It kinda gets crowded, but the resource centre . . . is not too quiet, it’s not too loud, but just enough of a background noise,” he said.
Haines said she expects the completed library to be just as great as the River Building.
“It will be double the study space. You will have a beautiful view over the quad, the new furniture,” she said.
“There will be a brand-new area for interactive and group work on the fourth floor.”
