It hasn’t been kept hush that there is a problem in the library when it comes to noise levels and how to handle it has been a topic of discussion in student government.
Some of the solutions up for discussion include having student government leaders monitor the library.
Senator Luis Guzman has been outspoken in senate about the issue.
He stated, “So from what I remember, yeah there’s a discussion about student government leaders,
“I know it was mentioned in cabinet that Eddie [De La Rosa] wanted some people from student government to patrol and just like having the blue shirt present.
“It’s not up to us, we as student government leaders should be role models, but we are the legislators when it comes to senate, and it should be up to the students and people who work in the library to set an example,” Guzman said.
Also up for discussion was the implementation of cadets monitoring the library, which Guzman is against.
“I mentioned police cadets, but I had this discussion with a lot of teachers and I kind of changed that mentality,” he said.
He continued, “I’m thinking that it is not the right of the students to do that. What we wanted is the district to find a solution, because it is not up to us, like we shouldn’t be sending police cadets.”
He agreed that cadet presence would make students uncomfortable and there shouldn’t be increased policing.
Guzman took it upon himself to schedule a meeting with Cerritos College President Dr. Jose Fierro to discuss how to handle the issue.
Both discussed student conduct in the library and Dr. Fierro suggested working with the people who work at the library.
The two agreed that there should be designated spots for people to study as well as for students to hang out.
Dr. Fierro stated that part of the issue has been taken into consideration.
“We are waiting for the approval to install a glass partition to minimize noise in the study areas. We have the glass and everything is here, we just haven’t received the approval from the state to be able to install it,” Fierro said.
Dr. Fierro noted that this will be the first part in working with the noise levels and it is expected to be done approximately by January 11.
“Were going to see a little bit of differentiation between the center area where a lot of the students gather and the shelf area where people sit to study, there are going to be some divisions there,” he said.
He also expressed that the shaded areas that will be built around campus will also help.
These areas will have access to Wi-Fi and accommodate about 30-40 people sitting comfortably.
Senator Diana Silveyra is also concerned about the library noise levels.
She said, “My opinion and I was discussing it with my colleague [Guzman] is that I believe to designate certain areas for activities, and certain areas where it is strictly just to study and do what you have to do, and I feel like that way maybe we can balance out the noise.”
Silveyra added that these designated areas would serve students who work in groups or gather for discussion and tend to elevate their voices in order to be heard.
“If we’re able to designate an area for that, I think we’ll be able to make the library more suitable for everyone,” Silveyra noted.
Cerritos College full time faculty librarian Paula Pereira acknowledged the noise level discussion.
“Its just the way I see it, some students are here because they want to work together in groups and they are okay making some noise and they don’t mind so much because they are with their friends”
She continues, “and they want to just stay together and talk even though we do have the study rooms that they can go to.”
Pereira noted that some students opt out of going into the study rooms because they want their friends to come over but it may cause an issue for students who are there trying to study.
“If you’re going to try and study math or history, something that requires a lot of concentration, then it’s an issue for them because they really cannot focus,” Pereira said.
According to Pereira the noise levels differ depending on the time of day or time of the semester.
As solutions for now the librarian noted that as of this week there was an addition of study desks and tables and also made mention of a decibel meter.
“This generation is bringing a lot of changes when it comes to the traditional way [to use a library],” she concluded.
