A Newly Interesting Space:the Libraries @ Purdue

By: Annie Eckart

Most people think of it as a place

for quiet study and productivity.

Is it? What is being rhetorically

implied by the design of the

space? There is more than meets

the eye when it comes to

libraries. Read on to find out

more… what’s up with libraries and

which one is best for you?

What is a library? And why do we care?

Siegesmund Engineering Library

Bright, fluorescent lights

Carpeted flooring to reduce noise

Individual study carrels

No wall decorations

Undistracted study!

Need to study in a group?

The Siegesmund Engineering Library provides a great group

study environment. Round tables accommodate discussion by their

inward-facing design, carpeted flooring cuts down on noise between the tables, and the chairs easily slide out on the

carpet to encourage interaction among tables.

Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Sciences Library

Convenient access to books…

Uninteresting wall paper…

No distracting windows…

Individual study carrels…

Have a major exam or project coming up?

Focused study!

Like to study in groups, but need to study on your own this time?

Group setting, yet individual

Successful individual study time!

Study and still be around people

Calming atmosphere

Life Sciences Library

This library is perfect for group study, but also for those who need a little background noise to be most productive.

The tables accommodate groups, bright lights keep everyone alert, and books are within reach.

This library also has places for individual study, but may have a few problems…

Black Cultural Center Library

The desks are spaced far apart and the floor is carpeted for noise control between groups. The tables are larger and provide for a group or individual to comfortably spread out.

Big desk size + large distance between next table = great for groups!

Hicks Undergraduate Library (UGRL)

crowded… but empty…

depending on the time of

day this area of the library

could be a prime study place

Humanities, Social Science, and Education Library (HSSE)

This library seems to have a specific and purposeful design for its space. There are group study rooms, and then places for individual study. The pictures are above eye level, but the floor is tiled. It seems that there are conflicting aspects to this seemingly well-designed space.

Do libraries have your best interests at heart? What aspects of a library’s design promote studying, and which hinder it?

Values—Individual and group study… isolation…quiet…focus… are these things good for everyone?

Design— Does it seem like there’s true design to these spaces? I think that some libraries show more thought than others. Or, is there thought put into each of them, but are they purposely trying to hinder?

Looking beyond— how can this knowledge be used? Hopefully to maximize the use of the library to best fit your needs.