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Library hires monitors to enforce quiet zone rules
U N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H F LO R I DA
By Jessenia Rivera C O R R E S P O N D E N T
Due to complaints of unwanted noise and disruptive behavior, library officials have recently hired monitors to enforce quiet zones, ensure general cleanliness and help deter theft with the goal of establishing a better study environment for students. Terry Hutchings, the library operations manager, said monitors have the primary task of providing comfort and safety for all students. “Our goal is to make sure everyone has a great study environment,” Hutchings said. “We have a lot of collaboration going on, but we also have people who want quiet spaces.” According to Hutchings, the job is simple. When there’s a loud group or a noisy person disrupting the floor, monitors approach the person or group and ask them to keep it down. If the situation isn’t controlled with the gentle reminders or warnings, the next step is to notify one of the librarians and let them handle the situation from there.
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The monitors are paid minimum wage and their pay comes from general library funds. The fifth floor, also called the “Quiet Zone,” was designed to meet the needs of students who seek to avoid the noise and chatter on other floors. Some students have complained that this hasn’t been achieved. “We’ve gotten a lot of complaints,” Hutchings said. “Many people don’t realize what the floor is for.” Students are able to make complaints using postcards with QR codes that are spread throughout the library. Although unawareness is expected from new students, library officials decided to take action for the sake of those who want complete silence as they work. Carolyne Tuwei, a graduate student majoring in finance, said the need for monitors shouldn’t exist. “You can clearly see this is a quiet zone,” Tuwei said. “Why would you be noisy?”
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