Newly Renovated Study Room Reopens in Downtown Campus

After over two months of renovation, the First Study Room in Downtown Campus of Soochow University officially reopened on November 24^th. The remodeling project had solved many previous problems of the study room, such as the noise of library users’ whisper, the potential danger posed by strangers’ access to the room, unpleasant smell caused by poor ventilation, etc.

The renovated study room is divided into three zones, which are Quiet Reading Area, General Reading Area and Multi-function Discussion Area respectively. To offer a completely quiet learning environment for students, the use of any calculators and laptops in Quiet Reading Area is prohibited. In the Multi-function Discussion Area, each seat is equipped with an outlet and has Internet access, and users may talk with each other in a low voice. Also, to lower interference of whisper between areas, the walls are furnished with soundproofing materials. As for the security issue, anyone entering or exiting the study room must scan his or her student ID card at the card reader.

Some other renovations were also aimed at increasing convenience and comfort for students. For example, nearby restrooms were replaced by a pantry and a copy room to solve the stink problem from the toilets due to poor ventilation. From now on, anyone who wants to use the restroom should go down to the first floor. Additionally, carbon dioxide detectors and air purifiers were also installed in the study room to improve the air quality.      

Ming-Xia Lee, a complier in Public Service Division, said that the school administration had put a lot of effort into every detail of the entire process including the initial evaluation, public hearings, tendering, etc., in the hope of providing a better reading environment to students, who would comply with the rules and cherish these facilities and resources when using them.