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Lamont Library has always been my go-to place to work — I’ve spent countless hours there, possibly even months if we’re being honest, which is slightly depressing, but we’re not unpacking that right now. I’ve oscillated between the first and third floors depending on my mental state and level of desperation. It’s one of the few places where I could find peace and tranquility to concentrate and escape the noise and chaos of campus life — or at least I used to be able to.

When I walked into Lamont this year on a fairly normal Wednesday night (assignment deadline: 11:59 p.m., my arrival time: 9:47 p.m.), I was ready to lock in and settle into my usual spot on the first floor, which had been reliably quiet for the past two years. A sanctuary. A haven.

But something had changed. Something sinister.

Instead of silence, I was met with continuous chatter. Not even the occasional whisper that you can passive-aggressively sigh at. No, these were full-volume OUTSIDE VOICES. I craned my neck to try to stare down the offending group to get them to lower their voices. But instead of shame and whispered apologies, I was met with an indifferent eye-roll, as if I were the one committing crimes against humanity.

And then I realized: this was not an isolated incident. This was not just one rogue group of freshmen. There were MULTIPLE groups of freshmen, scattered across the first floor. It was an invasion. A violation of Lamont’s sanctity.

Still holding onto hope and sheer desperation, I fled to the Farnsworth Room on the third floor — the SILENT floor, the floor so sacred that even clearing your throat feels like a felony. And there, in that hallowed space, I witnessed a freshman playing their music out loud. No earbuds. Just raw, unfiltered music assaulting everyone within a 15-foot radius.

So dear freshmen,

The basement in Lamont exists for a REASON, and that reason is YOU. Cabot Library is literally right across the Yard — a whole separate building where you can socialize. Have you ever stepped into a library before? Did you skip the part in elementary school where they explain indoor voice etiquette and how to behave in a library? Were you perhaps homeschooled by wolves?

Lamont has silent floors for a reason — why else would I trek all the way from Mather, if not for the promise of SILENCE?

Just in case you never had the chance to visit a library before arriving at one of the world’s most prestigious universities (no judgment, but also how), let me explain how good manners can make the library a pleasant place for everyone! It’s quite simple if you follow these three rules:

1. Maintain Quiet: This means using your inside voice. You know, the one you were supposed to develop in kindergarten? On silent floors, you should step outside to have conversations, even if you’re just breathing loudly. Think about acting like a library mime, or taking a vow of silence.

2. Eat/Drink in Designated Areas Only: Yes, LamCaf exists. Yes, it’s right there. No, you may not bring your Jefe’s/Felipe’s burrito bowl to the third floor. I don’t care if you’re “studying through dinner” — the person next to you should not be able to identify that you ordered extra guac. Save your three-course meal for literally anywhere else.

3. Use Earbuds: This one seems obvious, but it requires clarification nonetheless. When you choose to play audio on your device, other people should not be able to hear it. It’s a crazy concept, I know! Earbuds are not just a fashion accessory. They serve a specific purpose. That purpose is preventing me from having to hear your brainrot reels on repeat.

There’s a lot to learn at the library! You can also have fun! By using good manners, you can make sure everyone else enjoys their visit too!

I speak for the people — the tired, the stressed, the upperclassmen who remember when Lamont was a place of peace — when I kindly, firmly, and desperately BEG the freshmen to shut up in Lamont. Respectfully. But also urgently. Midterms are approaching, and I simply cannot take it any longer. The silent floors are silent for a reason.

Sincerely,

Someone Who Just Wants To Do Their Readings in Peace