Baruch College Students Voice Their Complaints

Up the marbled steps, and through the dark, narrow security turnstiles, lead to the bright, open-spaced library at Baruch College. Near the Reference Center are laptop machines allowing students to checkout computers. Directly in front of the entrance is a white, curved staircase leading to the floors above. In each corner of the room, there are setups for computers, books, and check-out stations.

However, Baruch College students are still unsatisfied with the library.

Angelica, a senior at Baruch College, said, “I want the fourth and fifth floor to have better air because it feels really stuffy up there.”

Unlike the third floor, the fourth and fifth floors have windows to keep out noise for those who studying. The third floor is often identified as a “social floor” or “playground.” It is difficult for students to have both quiet and fresh air.

Another student giving his last name Turan, wants more tables and chairs, especially during the Spring semesters because there are “no spots free at all.” He also mentions that the great number of books appears overwhelming, hinting that the bookshelves occupy a lot of space.

Another student, Shemontee Chowdhury, said the library “feels dead” because the interior is “simple but unattractive.” She commented on the dullness of the library and suggests that the library should have brighter colors to make studying more enjoyable.

In response to these students’ complaints, Librarian-Professor of Library Science Stephen Francoeur, said that the library is planning to use “compact shelving,” which allows bookshelves to be compressed to fit more desks and tables.

Francoeur further mentioned that the library received recommendations from architectural firms that looked at the library’s interior structure and had set cameras to observe what resources students use. Therefore, the library will be remodeling for the first time since 1994. The furniture will be “updated” to more group “friendly” tables and space.

Also, the library is “redoing the heating and air conditioning on the fourth and fifth floor,” according to Francoeur. The fourth floor just finished and the technicians are currently attending to the fifth floor.

Sure enough, the Baruch College library is not only visually pleasing, but also working to create a setting that is comfortable and suitable for the students.