{"id":1558,"date":"2019-04-08T19:40:27","date_gmt":"2019-04-08T19:40:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/?p=1558"},"modified":"2019-04-08T19:40:29","modified_gmt":"2019-04-08T19:40:29","slug":"listening-to-lib","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/writing-project-3\/listening-to-lib\/","title":{"rendered":"Listening to Lib"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/lh11a73fQJaeQ9uVAHutzQ-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1560\" width=\"433\" height=\"325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/lh11a73fQJaeQ9uVAHutzQ-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/lh11a73fQJaeQ9uVAHutzQ-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/lh11a73fQJaeQ9uVAHutzQ-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 433px) 100vw, 433px\" \/><figcaption>E.H. Little Library<br><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Abstract<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The E.H. Little library at Davidson College is almost always filled with the chatter of students, whether it be a group of rowdy friends \u201cworking\u201d on a Sunday evening or a pair of pre-meds preparing for their most recent biology test. I attempted to capture the Sunday night culture of the Davidson Library through three different soundscape recordings. The first recording demonstrates a low stress environment of the Sunday afternoon library crowd. The second file reveals the library as a \u201cno stress\u201d environment later that evening. The third and final recording exhibits a high-stress atmosphere of the space in the early hours of the next morning. This project reveals the deeper cultural and social dynamics of Davidson College specifically through an analysis of sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Listening to Lib<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A library is one of the few spaces in which a person typically notices the level of sound that surrounds them. Often when encompassed by a group of people, the presence of any sound simply fades into the background, becoming a consistent and unnoticeable noise: \u201cnoises are the sounds we have learned to ignore\u201d (Schafer 95). In a library on the other hand, when an individual is overly boisterous or louder than the current constant background noise, this becomes especially apparent. With the common social system in place in libraries, implicit noises are expected: the rustling of pages, typing of keyboards, and hushed whisperings of collaborative students. In this generally quiet soundscape, there is also an explicit context that becomes noticeable, as sounds that do not include these implicit noises become much more apparent. When one is mindful and takes time to analyze and decipher these sounds, a great deal can be uncovered about the space. <br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Libs-Sun-2pm.m4a\"><\/audio><figcaption>Lib at 2:30pm on Sunday <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At 2:30 PM on a Sunday afternoon in Libs, not much activity can be heard. As I was seated on the southern side of the first floor, in between the staircase and the men\u2019s restroom, the undecipherable noise of busy students was perceptible. While it sounded as if there were only a dozen or so people in the library, there were upwards of 40 students. As Schafer mentions, it is \u201cless easy to formulate an exact impression of a soundscape than of a landscape&#8230;the microphone samples details&#8230;it gives the close-up but nothing corresponding to the aerial photography\u201d (Schafer 7). Sometimes noise can be deceptive in that it sounds like one thing, but in reality it is another. Low, pervasive chatter was evident, though most Davidson students were focused on their work. Individuals are typically in the library at this time because they have enough of a workload that they need to arrive early in the afternoon, but not <em>so<\/em> stressed because they still have several hours before their midnight deadlines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around 0:07 seconds into the recording, the crinkling bag of a mid-afternoon snack can be heard from afar. After a late night out at F on a Saturday, most students partake in bruch at Commons from around 11:00 AM-12:00 PM\u2014so by the early afternoon, it is time for another bite. Were it later in the evening, the crinkling sound of this bag might not have been noticeable; however, due to the social system evident at Davidson, not many students are eager to study this early in the afternoon, so the library was practically empty. If the weather is sunny and temperate, most people are away, working\/playing outdoors on the lawn or socializing with friends in the student union. Later in the recording at 0:23, the faint laughter of a girl can be heard in the distance, most likely taking a break from her studies to joke with friends. This may seem as if the girl has very little work to complete, however, due to the rigorous classes at Davidson, one familiar with the culture of the campus could reasonably assume that she has a great deal of academic tasks at hand\u2014but simply took a quick study break. Finally, at 0:35 a double-cough sequence can be observed; it is flu season here in Davidson, and due to the strenuous academics and lack of sleep for most college students, getting sick is no rare occurrence. <br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Lib-Sun-8_15pm.m4a\"><\/audio><figcaption>Lib at 8:15pm on Sunday<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next recording of the Davidson Library took place at 8:15 PM. During this hour, a plethora of sounds can be detected, but most are drowned out by overpowering chatter. At this time of night, the Lib turns into more of a social space, rather than a study space. By 8:00 PM, all athletes are out of practice and AT sessions have ended. This fact ensures that large groups of students (mainly athletes) gather at tables and tend to be more boisterous and rowdy. Immediately when the recording starts, fits of laughter can be heard over the loud and steady discussions. I know this was an athlete, because this particular laugh I recognize as belonging to Caroline Mohler, a Davidson volleyball player. At 0:09 the rapid turn of a page can be heard, but only because the owner of the book was sitting at my very table. At such a busy time in the library, this implicit sound would usually be drowned out by the louder surroundings. Since the book was located so close to the recording device however, its pages could be deciphered easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At 0:12 the clank of a bottle dropping into the delivery hatch of the new vending machine can be heard, along with the constant buzzing that ensues with most machines. It is located between the main staircase and the men\u2019s restroom. This new vending machine is well-used because it\u2019s stocked with a healthy variety of drinks and was purchased in the new library remodel. A bit later, at 0:18 the opening and closing of the library door is audible. So many students are coming and going at this hour that the squeaky door hinges become a keynote sound. Shafer defines a keynote sound as \u201cthe anchor or fundamental tone and although the material may modulate around it, often obscuring its importance, it is in reference to this point that everything else takes on its special meaning\u201d (Schafer 9). It can be difficult to study sometimes because whenever this sound is made, most people look up to see if it is their own friend walking in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At 0:26, an exasperated sigh can be heard, most likely the result of a stressed student trying to complete their work, however the loud surroundings make it challenging for he\/she to focus on their work. During 0:33, a female can be heard saying the word \u201cSaturday\u201d and discussing her weekend plans with her friends. Even on Sunday evenings, Davidson students are eager to blast through their busy week and get back to having fun on the weekend. At 0:42 a sneeze can be detected, again demonstrating the flu season and never-ending cycle of illnesses that plague the Davidson student body. At 0:48 a girl can be heard asking, \u201cIs the baseball team out of town?\u201d because at this college, it is a tradition for athletes to support one another. In this particular instance, it was a volleyball player asking about the baseball team because she wanted to encourage her friends as they competed. <br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Lib-Sun-11_40pm-.m4a\"><\/audio><figcaption>Lib at 11:40pm on Sunday<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The noise level in Lib is noticeably quieter on Sunday nights by about 11:40 PM. There are much fewer people, and those who are actually present are usually so focused on their work that there is not much discussion going on. In this particular recording, muffled voices of only three people can be heard; however, there were about seven individuals I observed dispersed throughout the library at this time. At 0:12, the noise of a man\u2019s sniffle is apparent\u2014perhaps an indication of pollen allergies due the recent seasonal bloom of the North Carolina blossoms. The spring in Davidson, NC can be a period that is filled with sniffles and sneezes for students with allergies, especially for those coming from different areas with less dramatic seasons. Later at 0:19, a student jokes about his essay being \u201cso good\u201d as his colleagues respond with a quiet snicker. What cannot be heard, however, is how he quietly stated how he had started the seven page essay just an hour prior, and that it was \u201cabsolutely terrible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I found it interesting how, at this time, the front door was not a keynote sound because people were less keen on arriving at the library at such a late hour. There was also much less talking, not only because there were fewer people at this time, but because students were feeling more stress and in need of focusing on their work. One thing that was more apparent at this hour, were the sniffles and sneezes. Due to the fact that the overall noise level of the library was lower, these explicit noises stood out more. As Schafer points out, \u201cOnly a total appreciation of the acoustic environment can give us the resources for improving the orchestration of the world soundscape\u201d (Schafer 4). In the instances when it seems as if there is no sound at all, or no meaning behind this sound, one must focus hard because there is always some clue behind the noise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The soundscape of a library\u2014a space that I always thought to simply be a quiet place to study\u2014has so much more information hidden behind the soft, yet constant din. By walking into the library and simply listening closely, one can actually determine the time of day, the season, and even the general health of the campus. I chose first floor Lib because of the stark contrast of the space depending on the time of day. I believe that the architects of the Davidson College Library realized this because the Lib was strategically planned accordingly: there are very few books located on the first floor, all spaces for studying are tables that can account for up to four students, and there are loud copy machines and printers in the space. The designers had foresight that this would be the best place to work on group activities with others. This is not the ideal space to seek peace and quiet to work on an individual essay or test. However, first floor Lib is the perfect place to collaborate with others in an area where one is free to talk at a normal volume. This project has helped me better understand how Davidson College intended the E.H. Little Library to be used\u2014and it actually is in alignment with how I, and other students, actually do utilize the space. <br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Works Cited<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Schafer, R. Murray. The Soundscape, Sound Studies Reader. Edited by Jonathan Sterne, Taylor and Francis, 2012.<br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Abstract The E.H. Little library at Davidson College is almost always filled with the chatter of students, whether it be a group of rowdy friends \u201cworking\u201d on a Sunday evening or a pair of pre-meds preparing for their most recent biology test. I attempted to capture the Sunday night culture of the Davidson Library through [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[33],"class_list":["post-1558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-writing-project-3","tag-wri-project-3","entry","has-post-thumbnail"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1558","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1558"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1558\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1646,"href":"https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1558\/revisions\/1646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1558"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1558"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wri-101k-s19.andrewrippeon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1558"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}