Working for the library I think I can help answer some of the questions.

Plugs
The lack of plugs is a big problem at the library, and one that we are aware of. In the last couple of years we have been trying to increase the number of outlets. But the main problem is the age of the building. When it laptops weren't around so they only installed the average amount of plugs. As I have said we have been trying to increase the number of outlets, but there is a limit due to the infrastructure of the building. For example, on the third floor, the wing which houses the laptop room is at the physical limit for wiring and nothing more can be installed. To install an outlet at every cubicle would be impossible. Bringing a power bar is the best solution for now. However, as I said, facility services is continuing to address this problem.

Silent Study Room
Regarding the silent study rooms. There are only a few left where laptops are still restricted; and although you might not notice the noise, when someone does bring a laptop in we usually do receive a number of complaints.

4th Floor Renovations
The renovations occurring on the 4th floor are for the future home of the Lyons New Media Center, and The McMaster Health Forum. I work for CAVS, which runs the Lyons New Media center, so I can give you some information on this. Currently Lyons is located at a temporary location the 3rd floor. Lyons manages the collection of audio visual and electronic materials at the library. On the 4th floor we shall have individual viewing rooms, and a media centre. I don't want to go into to much detail about the media centre, as I don't believe it has been announced yet. I will say that it will house media studios, teaching rooms, and a media lab. I don't know too much about the health forum, but they are currently located on the 4th floor.

Amount of Study Space
I have heard people comment that getting rid of the fourth floor study room will mean less places to study, this is not the case. Over the summer you might have noticed that sections of the library were rearranged in preparation for the renovations. The music section was moved to the 4th floor, the PS's were also moved within the library, the Q's, R's, S's, T's and most of Z's were moved to Thode, and we have reduced the number of books on the stacks to single copies, the extras were either sent to our storage facility, or donated to Syria. Additionally the study area that was on the 4th floor was moved to the 1st and expanded, and another silent study room was added on the 1st floor. Also many cubicles were added throughout the 4th and 3rd floor. When construction began on the 4th floor the cubicles in that study room were relocated near the group study rooms on the same floor. So although there is no longer one large room of cubicles, the number of study spaces have not decreased, and in fact have increased. Also once Lyons, CAVS, and the Health Forum have relocated, this will mean other rooms will become available and and as such the cubicles will be spread out more evenly throughout the library.

Goce what do you mean McMaster would rather spend money on wood? Do you mean the cubicles?

Anyways I hope I have answered your questions.
Ben Collins

I would love it if there was a huge building, like 4 floors, of desks and outlets. The entire building would just cubicles, study rooms, tables and outlets. That would be my heaven.

No, I'm serious. I do most of my work on campus because I'm not able to do it at home. It's a real pain in the ass to find a place to do work on campus several hours a day, every day.

Some really good places to study on campus in my opinion are:

-Health Sci Library (the History of Medicine room has comfortsble chairs, decent amount of outlets, almost always a place to sit & the "lounge/ quiet area"- again good amount of outlets)

-2nd floor MUSC- I seen in earlier post about the study area- it's pretty good, always quiet, plugs, desk space, usually somehwere to sit even during busy times of the day

-2nd floor Thode- lots of plugs, cubicles and tables and extremely quiet- like can hear a pin drop quiet & somewhat relaxing

-This was a suprise but the 1280 lounge- it just opened kinda recently is located behind the stage area of 1280, lots of tables and couches and plugs and considering its in 1280 its really quiet

aside from the 1280 lounge & history of medicine room is these places have really big windows & are somewhat open so you can see the sun and outdoors..something I personally find relaxing when I study compared to a cloistered area without windows, again this is my personal preference

If you ask me, the 2nd floor MUSC is like a zoo. If you have good headphones it's alright but it is damn loud in there. 3rd floor is good also but the benches will give you ass cramps.

Is the 1280 lounge for customers only? I've never been in there, always assumed it was.

The Bubble Tea house in MUSC basement is really quiet in the morning/early afternoon. They're open until 4 am during exam time also (or at least they were in Jan. but they were super busy so I assume they'll do it again)

And the #1 tip I can give you...
Go to Innis library, I've never heard a sound in there. Also, it's mostly graduate students that frequent it, so you won't run into a hundred people you know.

Good luck though

Originally Posted by ReDorkulateD

i used to have the perfect place to study until i found out was some sort of secret praying area

LET ME GUESS: 2nd floor at Mills near the back where some old filing cabinets and other library equipment is kept?

Some places:
- Thode, Health Sci(Recommended libraries)
- BSB random empty rooms(small rooms where they conduct lectures).. 1st floor is the best..
- Student centre
- MDCL building random empty rooms(small rooms where they conduct lectures)- try 2nd floor and up..

All I think Thode needs is moar wireless routers and better quality hanging outlets. Almost every single one of the new three plug hanging outlets installed have a broken plug slot.

On the wireless router issue, the school needs to install professional grade wireless routers and more of them. The ones currently installed look like home routers and they're constantly overloaded, making the internet slow as fook.

The problem with Thode is that it's no longer quiet. Damn cafe.

Originally Posted by maclover

Some places:
- Thode, Health Sci(Recommended libraries)
- BSB random empty rooms(small rooms where they conduct lectures).. 1st floor is the best..
- Student centre
- MDCL building random empty rooms(small rooms where they conduct lectures)- try 2nd floor and up..

I like to use empty lecture halls too. It's kind of pain though when you walk all through MDCL just to find nothing's empty.

Originally Posted by madBiologist

If you ask me, the 2nd floor MUSC is like a zoo. If you have good headphones it's alright but it is damn loud in there. 3rd floor is good also but the benches will give you ass cramps.

Is the 1280 lounge for customers only? I've never been in there, always assumed it was.

And the #1 tip I can give you...
Go to Innis library, I've never heard a sound in there. Also, it's mostly graduate students that frequent it, so you won't run into a hundred people you know.

yea 2nd floor is sometimes quiet, sometimes a zoo, in the past couple weeks whenever im there its been extremely quiet, but other times during the year its really noisy..so i guess it can be a hit or a miss for quiet study

as far as I know 1280 lounge isnt just for customers I've been there a few times just to study nd no ones told me to leave so im going to assume that anyone can go there to hangout/ study

& Innis definitely agree..its super quiet..kinda out of the way/ obscure but if your willing to find it or know where it its also a great study space

Originally Posted by mlangille

& Innis definitely agree..its super quiet..kinda out of the way/ obscure but if your willing to find it or know where it its also a great study space

...I should def try to find this library.