Students are heading to James Branch Cabell Library as deadlines for tests, projects and papers are approaching. Complaints are being heard, however, as students’ expectations are not being met.
Aside from the cut of the Lite-All-Nite program, which allowed Cabell to stay open 24 hours for students to study, students are complaining about everything ranging from hygienic issues and noise complaints to uncomfortable temperatures.
“The library seems really dirty to me,” said Shawna Saporito, a senior biology major. “I’m avoiding the library because I don’t want to get sick, especially from touching those crusty keyboards.”
With careful inspection of the study rooms and keyboards, library visitors can easily see various amounts of trash littering the floors and tables.
Jonathan Phan, an administration office specialist, has been working at Cabell since August 2008. He said his main annoyances while working at the library are students who come to socialize and cause disturbances.
“There are different floors to avoid noises,” Phan said. “But lately, many students don’t really seem to care about the rules anymore.”
Security guards inside Cabell Library are available to check student IDs after 10 p.m. and enforce library rules.
“There are so many loud students on floors designated for quiet study,” Saporito said. “I understand we don’t want people coming into the library at night, but the noise level is unacceptable. The security officers should maintain the noise levels.”
Head librarian John Ulmschneider stated in an e-mail students can submit their suggestions to the VCU Libraries Suggestion Blog.
Ulmschneider stated the university is facing budget cuts and most of the money for renovations is going toward fixing the elevators, one of the many complaints heard from students.