Lisa A. Laughy September 10th, 2008
Lisa Laughy – Archives Assistant
Tuesday night marked the first evening of Study Hall on the lower level of Ohrstrom Library. Students have always gathered in the evenings at Ohrstrom, and it is traditionally the busiest time of day for library staff. The added presence of a faculty adviser brings the usefulness of the space into focus, with an eye (as well as ears) focused on containing the amount of social noise generated in order to provide the uninterrupted quiet that is so essential for focused study.
Library staff have added a number of signs on the lower level as reminders of this new program, designating the space as a “Quiet Study Area”. Even though the lower level has been set aside as a quiet space, students also should be aware of the noise they generate on all levels of the library as there are many students throughout the library that come here to avoid distraction. I have enlisted the help of the Ohrstrom Library Mascot, aka the Librarian Action Figure, to provide this visual reminder as well. She has left her usual post on the main level of the library (where she keeps vigil in the office window located in the Language Reference section) to pose for this photograph. She is demonstrating her practiced (and likely patented) “Shushing Action” to remind everyone of the new Study Hall policy now in place. Come spend your evenings in Ohrstrom and enjoy the quiet.
Tags: Librarian Action Figure, Ohrstrom Library, Study Hall
Lisa Laughy September 3rd, 2008
Kevin Barry – Library Director
I am happy to announce a collaborative initiative between Ohrstrom Library and the Office of Academic Support. Effective September 9th, the ground floor of Ohrstrom Library will serve as the new host to the School’s Study Hall program. During Study Hall hours, the entire ground floor of Ohrstrom will be designated and enforced as “quiet study space”. Faculty members assisting with the evening Study Hall program will be positioned in and advising from the ground floor foyer, and students who are participants in the Study Hall program will be sharing many of the same study areas currently employed by students and faculty on a regular basis. Integrating Study Hall into Ohrstrom Library is completely logical. It fulfills the Library’s mission of creating a culture at St. Paul’s School that is conducive to engaging in productive study, one that offers just the right amount of support and resources available but without distractions in a very comfortable and attractive setting. Using a variety of library spaces – individual carrels, soft seating reading areas, and tucked-away nooks - students who are part of Study Hall will thrive in a hospitable environment designed to suit their study preferences and styles.
More details regarding specific policies governing Study Hall Hours and program offerings are forthcoming from Kate Daniels in the Office of Academic Support. Contact information: kdaniels@sps.edu 229-4840 Schoolhouse 202.
Tags: Academic Support, Ohrstrom Library, St. Paul's School, Study Hall
