Reducing Noise in a College Library

Luyben, Paul D.; Cohen, L. G.; Conger, Rebecca; Gration, Selby U.

doi:10.5860/crl_42_05_470

Cited by 9 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Evidence-based studies that explore the effectiveness of noise interventions are rare, due to the subjectivity of what is perceived as "noisy" and "quiet" and the difficulty in identifying metrics by which improvement can be measured. A small number of studies measured noise in decibels using sound-level meters; examples include the studies by Paul Luyben and his coauthors in 1981 9 and by Beth Hronek in 1997. 10 While decibel tests are an exact measure of actual noise, Luyben notes that perceived noise is a better measuring stick than actual noise because machines cannot measure disruptions such as "fierce whispering," which might not be loud but can be extremely annoying.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quiet in the Library: An Evidence-Based Approach to Improving the Student Experience

McCaffrey¹,

Breen²

2016

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This article deals with the management of noise in an academic library by outlining an evidence-based approach taken over seven years by the University of Limerick in the Republic of Ireland. The objective of this study was to measure the impact on library users of noise management interventions implemented from 2007 to 2014 through retrospective analysis of LibQUAL+® survey data. The data indicate that readers' perceptions of the provision of quiet space in the library greatly improved in that period. The study provides evidence showing the effectiveness of interventions, such as the development of a noise policy, zoning, rearranging of furniture, removal of service points from reader spaces, and structural improvements. There is evidence to indicate that the creation of a separate graduate reading room may be an effective noise management intervention not previously identified in the literature. Academic libraries struggling with noise problems and those with low scores on the LibQUAL+® quiet space question may find some helpful interventions that have an underlying evidence base to indicate their effectiveness when dealing with noise and the provision of quiet space.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quiet in the Library: An Evidence-Based Approach to Improving the Student Experience

McCaffrey¹,

Breen²

2016

portal

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“…In another vein, research has demonstrated that the use of behavioral procedures reduced litter (Bacon-Prue, Blount, Pickering, & Drabman, 1980;Clark, Burgess, & Hendee, 1972;Hayes, Johnson, & Cone, 1975;Luyben, Lorini, & Chiaravalotti, 1984;O'Neil, Blanck, & Joyner, 1980) and decreased library (Luyben, Cohen, Conger, & Gration, 1981) and residence hall noise (Meyers, Artz, & Craighead, 1976).…”

Section: Community Involvement and The Environmentmentioning

confidence: 96%

Applied Behavior Analysis: Understanding and Changing Behavior in the Community—A Representative Review

Luyben

2009

Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community

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Applied behavior analysis, a psychological discipline, has been characterized as the science of behavior change (Chance, 2006). Research in applied behavior analysis has been published for approximately 40 years since the initial publication of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis in 1968. The field now encompasses a wide range of human behavior. Although much of the published research centers on problem behaviors that occur in schools and among people with disabilities, a substantial body of knowledge has emerged in community settings. This article provides a review of the behavioral community research published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis as representative of this work, including research in the areas of home and family, health, safety, community involvement and the environment, recreation and sports, crime and delinquency, and organizations. In the interest of space, research in schools and with people with disabilities has been excluded from this review.

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“…Concern over noise in academic libraries is not new (e.g., Luyben et al, 1981). Yet, new types of collaborative, technology-enhanced learning spaces can often make libraries seem noisier (McCaffrey & Breen, 2016;Yelinek & Bressler, 2013).…”

Section: Commentarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Installing Noise Activated Warning Signs in Library Quiet Spaces Does Not Appear to Reduce Actual or Perceived Noise Levels

DuBroy

2019

EBLIP

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A Review of: Lange, J., Miller-Nesbitt, A., & Severson, S. (2016). Reducing noise in the academic library: The effectiveness of installing noise meters. Library Hi Tech, 34(1), 45-63. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-04-2015-0034 Abstract Objective – To explore if installing noise activated warning signs (NoiseSigns) in library quiet spaces decreases perceived and actual noise levels. Design – Noise monitoring and user surveys (print and online). Setting – A large university in Canada. Subjects – Users of library quiet spaces where NoiseSigns have, and have not, been installed. Methods – NoiseSigns provide a visual cue informing those present when noise levels exceed a pre-determined level. In this study, researchers installed two NoiseSigns in quiet study spaces previously identified as having the “biggest noise issues” (p. 51), and set the devices to illuminate when noise levels exceeded 65 dB. User surveys investigated respondents’ perceived and desired noise levels via Likert scales before and after NoiseSigns were installed. Actual noise level measurements (via an iPad app) and headcounts were taken manually twice daily for 60 seconds during the same study phases. Additionally, the NoiseSigns recorded noise levels after they were installed. In order to account for variation in library usage over time, control data was also collected in other spaces, where NoiseSigns had not been installed. Main results – A total of 96 surveys were completed and analyzed across all study locations and time periods. One-way ANOVA tests showed there to be no significant difference in perceived noise levels after installing NoiseSigns in any of the intervention areas, in neither the short- or long-term. Respondents’ comments suggested much of the undesired noise originated from social areas adjacent to the quiet study zones or was of a type which would not set off the NoiseSigns (e.g., “people chew[ing] too loud[ly]” (p. 54)). One-way ANOVA tests also found there to be no significant difference in actual noise levels in any of the intervention areas after device installation. Data logging from the NoiseSigns themselves showed the “majority” (p. 56) of noise measurements were in the vicinity of 45-50 dB and “very rarely” (p. 56) did noise levels exceed the 65 dB threshold. Despite this, survey respondents appeared to be unhappy with noise, with mean desired noise levels being lower than those perceived. Conclusion – As a result of the study, the library now strives to have greater delineation between quiet and social spaces. They also seek to ensure doors between these areas are kept closed where possible. Additionally, the authors suggest libraries install noise activated warning signs in social spaces adjacent to quiet study zones in order to keep these spaces from becoming noisy enough to affect nearby quiet zones. Future research could look at the effect of different monitoring options (e.g., security guards, student self-monitoring) and various furniture arrangements on noise levels in the library.

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Reducing Noise in a College Library

Cited by 9 publications

References 4 publications

Quiet in the Library: An Evidence-Based Approach to Improving the Student Experience

Quiet in the Library: An Evidence-Based Approach to Improving the Student Experience

Applied Behavior Analysis: Understanding and Changing Behavior in the Community—A Representative Review

Installing Noise Activated Warning Signs in Library Quiet Spaces Does Not Appear to Reduce Actual or Perceived Noise Levels

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