Posts from — October 2009

I think that the Tibetan monks exhibition is real neat for people to see and I really like the art that they create, but why include an art practice that sounds like repeated automated grasshoppers and involves random tings and long bursts of high pitch sounds in the library where people go to study, much less around midterm time. I was sitting in the only seat available with a computer when the monks were doing their art, and i had my ipod up really loud and the sound still haunted me, and i was also sharing the same expressions as the people around me when it sounds like they were doing some construction or a little kid repeatedly taking two serrated sticks and rubbing them together with no end to make a sand design while people are trying to drown out the noise and focus on the books in front of them. I brought this to an employee’s attention sitting at one of the desks close to the sand sculpture, and they just blatantly said that i should go upstairs. My point being that this Tibetan idea should have been placed in a more appropriate setting

Thank you for your comment. This event was sponosred by students, MSA, and they really wanted to have it in Ellis Library because of the central location and heavy traffic. We were concerned about the effect that this event would have on patrons, but we do regularly have events in the Colonnade and believe that these events are an important contribution to the discovery and learning that happens at MU, and in all of our libraries.

The first floor of Ellis Library, except for the Current Peridocial Reading Room, is not a quiet study space. We allow students to meet in groups, talk and their cell phone and socialize in this area. If you need completely quiet study space,  the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor are available. There are some computers on the 2nd floor, and you can check out a laptop and take to any floor that you like. We feel that these accomodations are reasonable, so that the 1st floor can occasionally used for a public event.

But we do appreciate your comments, because we do think carefully about using this space for events.  So it is good to have your feedbac,.