Observation 1

For my first observation, I went to the UL and observed people on the second floor. One of the initial norms that I saw about the UL is for people to remain quiet. In the UL, people do not speak in loud tones. Any communication that is done in the UL is through hushed tones, and people that do not follow that norm are immediately met with either harsh glares or annoyed glances. People who chose to listen to music in the UL follow the norm of remaining quiet by bringing in headphones and keep their music at a level so that it does not disturb the silence. Another norm I noticed was the presence of groups in the study rooms. Unlike rooms in Davis library, where often times one person will facilitate a group study room, the study rooms in the UL are generally facilitated by more than one person. The groups will often times stay in there for long periods of time, and only to be filled by another group awaiting to use the room. Other behaviors that I observed was the comfort at which students take to the UL. Many students will nap in the UL or just take a moment to sit down and relax on their computers. The space is relaxed and not as serious as the other libraries on campus. Students in the UL will study, as well as nap or casually read.