I referenced in an earlier blog post that I have become particularly fond of the 5th floor of the University Library in George Square. In fact I am here again as I type this. I went to check in via FourSquare and noticed the following comment from Pearson – Always Learning:
George Square Library gets the thumbs up
So I am clearly not alone in favouring this spot for some quiet, reflective study. A simple look around me also tells me this. In Week 12 (revision week) there is not a spare desk to be found. It occurs to me that there are multitudinous reasons why this space is favoured:
- it is warm (it is currently -3°C outside)
- there is no cost to entry (except of course a valid student or staff ID card)
- there is no cost to staying
- it is quiet
- it has plug sockets for your mobile devices (well, ordinarily it does)
- it has printers
- it has books
- it has lots of other people doing something very similar to yourself.
It is this last point which I think warrants emphasis. Does being surrounded by people engaged in a similar activity to you help create a sense of community (even if you are not talking to any of them)? I think it definitely helps combat any sense of isolation which is often cited as a downside to online study.
Finally, I want to mention how the sounds of the library (the hushed whispers, the crinkling of a crisp packet, the unzipping of a bag) bring to mind the sounds associated with ASMR. If I were to record these sounds (for the purpose of listening to them in a non-library environment) I should therefore utilise the binaural recording method¹.
¹ @Phil – I would love to hear the soundscape you recorded for the Library project. Where did you place the mics?
I know this blog post has no academic value. I just wanted to log my thoughts. Happy to remove before submitting if you think appropriate.
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