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The Louis J. Blume Library provides a variety of study environments to accommodate different user needs. Each floor has a unique noise policy tailored to its designated purpose, ranging from vibrant group study areas to silent zones for focused individual work. Please review the specific guidelines for each floor to ensure a respectful and productive experience for all library users.
1st Floor (The Learning Commons)
The Learning Commons is a vibrant group study area where collaboration and conversation are encouraged. You can speak at a normal volume while respecting others studying nearby; however, loud talking such as yelling or disruptive behavior should be avoided. Use headphones when participating in online classes or video calls, listening to music or other audio programs on computers, keeping the volume low to avoid disturbing those around you. Glass Huddle spaces are also available on this floor, offering additional collaborative study options. These spaces provide semi-private areas with some sound buffering, but please remain mindful of sound levels and respectful when using technology.
2nd (Main) Floor
The 2nd Floor is both a collaborative and individual study area that emphasizes respectful communication and focus. This floor is designed for small group work, quiet collaboration, and individual study. Although discussion is welcome, library users are asked to keep conversations at a low volume and to always use “indoor voices” while respecting others studying nearby; Loud talking such as yelling or disruptive behavior should be avoided. Moderate noise is to be expected; the 2nd Floor is not a silent floor; users seeking silent areas should use the 3rd Floor. Cell phone calls should be brief and taken in designated areas listed below to minimize disruption.
Key spaces on the 2nd Floor include:
- Art Gallery: A gathering place for art openings and other events, where moderate noise levels may occur.
- Circulation Area and Computer Workstations: Interactive areas where a moderate level of noise may occur due to the nature of assistance and use.
- Conference Room A: This room is available for group study and offers a semi-private collaborative space with closed doors. This area is not soundproof, so please continue to be mindful of sound levels and use respectful volumes when talking and using technology.
- Glass Huddle Spaces: Located on this floor, these provide semi-private areas for collaborative study. These spaces are not soundproof, so please continue to be mindful of sound levels and use respectful volumes with technology.
- Quiet Zones: Areas designated for study where low-volume conversations are allowed. Respect for others is paramount.
- Vinyl Collection and Listening Area: This area contains the vinyl collection and listening technology to use the musical offerings of Blume Library. Headphones are required in this area when listening to music, but a moderate noise level should be expected.
Library staff will monitor noise levels to ensure a productive environment for all users.
3rd Floor (Silent Study Area)
The 3rd Floor is reserved for silent study. Group conversations and loud discussions are not permitted in the designated study areas. Library users who wish to collaborate or engage in group activities are encouraged to use the 1st or 2nd Floor. Use headphones when listening to music or other audio programs on computers, keeping the volume low to avoid disturbing those around you. Cell phone conversations should be taken in the stairwells or designated areas listed below to minimize disruptions. The Rattler Success Center (RSC), located on the 3rd Floor, offers advising, tutoring, and hosts classes and learning sessions. A moderate level of noise may be expected in these specific spaces due to their activities.
Key spaces on the 3rd Floor include:
- Study Carrels: Dedicated spaces that are enclosed for private study, primarily for doctoral students. There are a handful available for reservation for all students. These areas are not soundproof, so please continue to be mindful of sound levels and use low volumes when using technology.
- Individual Study Desks: Dedicated spaces for those seeking a quieter environment to focus on individual tasks.
Cell Phone Use in the Blume Library
Cell phone conversations are permitted on the 1st Floor Learning Commons or on the Blume Library porches. Please be considerate of others by keeping conversations brief and at a low volume. Turn phones to mute or vibrate when not in use. On the 2nd and 3rd Floors, phone conversations should be taken to stairwells or other designated areas to minimize disruptions.
What to Do When Noise Is a Problem
Everyone in the library is expected to be considerate of others. If you have concerns about noise, please contact a Blume Library staff member. Staff will address the issue and may ask library users to leave the building if they do not comply with the Blume Library Noise Policy.
Alignment with the St. Mary’s University Code of Student Conduct
The Blume Library Noise Policy aligns with the St. Mary’s University Code of Student Conduct, particularly regarding Disruptive Behavior. Library users are expected to respect the rights of others to a conducive learning environment and adhere to standards of respectful and civil communication. Behaviors that disrupt the academic and collaborative environment, such as excessive noise or disregard for library policies, will not be tolerated. For more details, refer to the Code of Student Conduct at https://www.stmarytx.edu/policies/student-development/code-of-student-conduct/.
Updated August 2026