Content area
Full Text
Abstract
This study assessed indoor noise at the University of Ilorin Main Library in Nigeria, using semistructured questionnaire and sound level meter. Sources, subjective rating, extent of noise disruption, and ambient daytime and night-time noise levels in the library were determined. The study revealed that noise rating and extent of disruptions were divergent. Daytime sound pressure level in the library is equally location dependent, fluctuates, and most of the measurements surpass the recommended maximum limit of 45 Decibels. It is suggested that a noise policy should be formulated for the library, in addition to acoustic upgrading and library space reclassification.
Keywords: Library, Noise, Ilorin, Empirical Assessment, Subjective Assessment
(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae omitted.)
Introduction
Certain indoor environments such as libraries require quietness and cannot tolerate any form of noise at any time of the day. This is because absolute silence is required for comprehension, skill development and proofreading. Though libraries are custodians of book and non-book materials, modern libraries play more important roles as work, study and meeting spaces, and cheap public access points to Internet and multimedia services (Markham, 2004). Hence, libraries now experience more patronage than ever before, and more physical facilities are often provided to cope with the needs of library users. Environmental factors such as ventilation, noise and physical facilities are variables that are likely to influence the use of a library (Saka et al, 2012). Noise, in particular, has a high tendency to discourage library use; in a learning environment, too little background noise can make the slightest sound noticeable thereby enhancing distraction, while too much noise leads to low concentration and annoyance (Hodgson and Moreno, 2008).
Established acceptable noise level in libraries range between 35-45 decibels (Kiely, 1997; Duggal, 2007 ; Davis and Cornwell, 2009), and library noise could also be evaluated based on perception of library users. Some research outcomes conclude that cognitive task performance such as students' concentration and librarian's consultation is hindered by background noise (Kjellberg et al., 1997; Sullivan, 2010). Findings of the research by Gordon-Hickey and Lemley (2012) indicate that the influence of background noise on cognitive activities has physiological rather than psychological origins. Therefore, students accurately self-assess their acoustic study environment needs while it is recommended that academic libraries should offer multiple...