Since the start of the month the library has been divided into noise zones. The silent area on -1 has remained, becoming a ‘red’ zone; floor 0 has been divided into ‘green’ areas where discussion is allowed, and ‘orange’ areas where whispering is allowed only if absolutely necessary.

Claire Vereecken, team leader of the library's Front Office, is happy with how things are going. It took her a fair few conversations with students, she says, to explain the background to the noise zones and what it is hoped they will achieve, “but it turned out most of them viewed the zones favorably”. In addition some 210 people completed the survey about the trial, she says; roughly three-quarters of respondents indicated they thought the zones were a good solution.

Next week Vereecken plans to share her findings with the users of the library; she wants to publish a flyer of sorts. According to the team leader, the zoning is set to stay as it now is, and next week Thursday she will be holding a meeting with representatives of Ector Hoogstad Architects (the building's designer) and Real Estate Management (DH). Because, as she says, there is still scope for managing the noise better. “The zones alone don't seem to be quite effective enough. So we'd like to get some acoustic help, perhaps by installing panels.”

For example, many people now feel the new green zones, where conversation is not restricted, are too noisy, Vereecken has noticed. “Of course, the noise is now more concentrated than it used to be, so I can see why this criticism has arisen.” The noise that drifts into the library from, say, the canteen and the more public zone on floor 1 continues to present a challenge. “We are doing what we can in the library, but unfortunately we have no control over the immediate vicinity.”

The library, as well as the rest of the university, will be closed the upcoming four days due to Good Friday and Easter. Take note: as from next Tuesday the library will only be accesible for TU/e students for three weeks, because of the upcoming exam period. You will be asked to show your TU/e student pass.