Rowan University does not have a library. Actually, we do, it’s just unusable. As a result, students who would typically get intense study and assignments done are left without a clear place to migrate. 

It is almost impossible to get a seat in most academic buildings or the Chamberlain Student Center in the middle of the day. I usually have to do a lap a couple of times or find a more niche area of the building. It’s like the egregious Rowan parking situation, but instead of trying to park my Nissan Rogue in one of the commuter lots, I am parking myself, my tea, and my laptop near an outlet. 

Though I am a commuter and I can find quiet places in my house to study, I prefer to get things done on campus. I get more work done on campus because when there are other people also working, I am motivated to work diligently. In my room at home, I can get distracted by my phone, my TV, my dog, my parents, and my at home responsibilities. 

Unless I am done with classes or I have a large break in the day, I am on campus. Usually from 10 a.m. to when I am done with classes, which vary each day. Some days I am done at 3:15 p.m., and others I am on campus until 7:45 p.m. 

The hidden cost that I find of this is that areas that used to be mixed-use for departmental events or simply general sitting areas are now library-esque replacements with little to no chatter or community around them. With the exception of this being the fifteen minutes when classes are changing. If you do get a seat, it is quiet. There is no room for casual conversations with everyone pretending to be in the library. 

It is great that everyone is focused on their work. But everyone is zeroed in on their textbooks, computers, and phones with their noise-cancelling headphones and a no-nonsense attitude. Places that could have been a good hangout or goof-off spot are now mirroring libraries. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love the vibe of a library, be it local, university, or even the mini ones at curbs. I am at my local library about once a week; I am the library’s biggest advocate. But Rowan’s library renovation has pushed all the serious studiers to the louder, livelier areas of campus, which is to the detriment of all students. Some days, I want to goof off, scroll on my cell phone, and play the New York Times sudoku, and other times I have things I need to get done before my next class. 

A side effect of this, I noticed, is that it’s hard to find anyone who wants to interview for student interest or student feature stories for The Whit. Everyone keeps to themselves with headphones on, so I typically have to try and approach friend groups, which can be hit or miss, or the straggler waiting outside their classroom, putting away their AirPods. No matter how well the conversation goes, it feels like I’m inconveniencing them. 

Maybe it’s a larger issue that everyone constantly has their headphones in. But I think it’s a side effect of the library being closed, as the whole campus has turned into a sanctuary in response.