Library a terrible study location

The Wells Library is recognized as a top-tier collegiate library, and its collections are known throughout the United States. However, if you’ve visited lately, you know it can be one of the most unproductive places on campus. Let me remind you why.\nFirst, the Wells is a vogue montage, with higher standards than Milan’s fashion week. When Uggs, Burberry scarves, and gelled hair are the norm, time is consumed just preparing to attend. Last Tuesday night, a group whom I presume to be fashion design majors condescendingly surveyed my attire as I entered the lobby. Judging by their expressions, my old Nike sneakers and Velcro Timex didn’t make the cut.\nFurthermore, the resounding blare of power-washers and construction permeates all floors, from eight to five. It’s hard to think of a louder place. In fact, it’s hard to think. Fifteen fraternity pledges are blasting their iPods at the table next to me, and my desk neighbor is texting an essay to her boyfriend, which I know is longer than the W131 assignment she is supposed to be writing. To escape the amalgamated sound of keypads and “In Da Club,” I journeyed to the stacks in hopes of accomplishing something. That’s right, I boldly ascended the East Tower stairs to join the curve setters, innovative thinkers and grad students.\nInstead, I found a community of homeless men roaming the aisles, accompanied by their plastic bags, knapsacks and water bottles. One would have thought that the Commons Café had converted to a soup kitchen. “How did they pass the fashion inspection?” I think. Taken aback, I hesitantly found a desk amidst the Slavic Collection and began to grind. I love the Wells and its smell of old books, but some nights it can be a tough place to study.