Quiet floors are quiet 95% of the time. You'll get a team or group of students, who are incredibly ignorant of their fellow students trying to study, from time to time walking by. Just hope that they won't sit down close to you. Having a quiet area and suddenly a loud bunch really can be distracting. HOWEVER! If you report this to the staff will be able to take of it. I rarely have to do that thankfully. And when I say rare I mean 1 year so far since I have reported to the staff of a loud group. This building is large and is a COMMUNITY effort to keep the rule of silence (and others) enforced.
I'd also like to point out that this is a 4 floor building and is incredibly large in size. Study areas are plentiful but on finals it does get stuffy at first but gets less stuffy each day. I can't say that there "isn't enough" spots to study as I have been at k-state for 2 years and have always found a place to sit down and study (unless your seeking to have a table/area to yourself). Entrance floor (floor 2) is the one where you will have difficulties finding a spot from time to time as again that's where the majority of students are. (makes for a nice social/study atmosphere)
*end update*
And no, having the 24/7 open study area that's also a cafe area isn't what I'd call a good substitute. The Library gives a study atmosphere and the 24/7 open study area does not. It feels more social and gives a "Time for a break" vibe more than anything.
Internet is fairly mediocre on the main entrance floor due to high traffic. Even being on the computers that have Ethernet access have difficulties. Being on other floors does improve this issue, but I shouldn't have to move where there is less internet/Wi-Fi traffic just to be able to log into canvas (K-States class portal where you can get assignments, see grades, etc.)
Great space to meet or study.
But opening at 1pm is a bit late in my opinion. I am much more understanding of Sunday opening later in the day but even then there are those who still want to come here to study as their dorms or homes are way too distracting. I don't expect 24/7 availability. Some expect that out of a university (and I can't blame them). My expectations are having availability at a proper time. 10am isn't too much to ask and closing at 7pm or even to 8pm isn't to much to ask either. But 1pm to 12am? On a sunday?
Such a beautiful building and lots of space to study. However, the fellow students bring the building to a one star review. Students are allowed to talk as loud as they see fit on all floors. Yes the 3rd floor is the "quiet zone" but even then people are too loud for me to study in peace. I understand people are allowed to study in groups but I shouldn't be able to hear another pair students having a conversation 4-5 tables away and know what they are talking about. This is a library and it should be common sense to speak as softly as you can. Students tend to use this as a hangout more than studying which causes me not to be able to focus on my actual studying.
*Update*
The Great room isn't so great with all the chairs creaking and cracking with every little movement you do. It's supposed to be the most quiet room and in order to try and follow that you have to remain absolutely still when sitting in these chairs. Outlets for electronic devices are too high up on the wall. seriously you'll have to hug the end of the table just so you can HOPE your cable reaches your laptop. Picture included.
Good place to study.
Great place to study and yet the hours are so short on convenient days to study. seriously, 5 hours on a Saturday while the Manhattan public library is open longer than that by almost double.
Staff is amazing which is whats really holding the place up with my rating. Super friendly and willing to help you with anything. They are knowledgeable about the system and really keep the place nice and tidy. Keep up the good work staff! Really appreciate it.
Edit: Pretty ironic that 10 minutes after my rating I can now hear about 3 people talking from halfway across the building on the 2nd floor while I'm studying for finals. I wish that the school that I paid $5,500 to go to school this semester would provide me a peaceful library to study. I will definitely not be returning to this school for this reason and principle alone.
Study all night or play hide and seek in the stacks... the choice is yours.
The time that Hale library is now open is better but it seems that it increases the time in the wrong spots. Granted the weekdays is when the students are active most so it would make sense to be available more on the weekdays. However, there are those who take the time on Saturday to bust through homework, including myself. Why on earth the library has had it's hours extended on Saturday by just ONE HOUR is beyond me. I understand you don't want to be open so late.
Those are my main gripes with the place and they are nuisance and yet easy to fix. Granted the library is fairly modernized but a few areas seem to be incredibly neglected and they play a big role.
Hale Library is a US Library based in Manhattan, Kansas. Hale Library is located at 137 Hale Library, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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