There are not many things to look forward to during finals week-meals, sleep and hygiene become a lost priority; energy drinks are engulfed; student’s minds are pushed to the limits. 

UNC Wilmington students in Randall Library Monday morning found their studies accompanied by a piercing drilling coming from minor construction projects on the first floor.  According to various tweets from UNCW students, the drilling started around 10 a.m. 

A construction crew was working to install compact shelving in the Learning Commons for the library’s reference section, according to the Randall Library website.  Reference books were stacked in various places on the first floor, most notably in the area in front of TAC and next to the Technology Enhanced Collaboration Space, where the drilling was taking place. 

Students working at tables and computers shared their study space with the cluttered reference collection and the work crew.  In that area, the noise level was loud, shrill and constant.

The noise level was less severe the further from the actual drilling site.  Students outside the drilling area were only subjected to a dull sound, while students studying on the second floor were further spared from the noise.   

Shannon O’Toole, a sophomore, and Allison Smith, a junior, were studying at a table beside the TECS.  Both girls had earphones in, but O’Toole said the sound completely drowned out her music.  Both girls said it was extremely hard to concentrate.  The lack of available tables in the library forced them into the corner where the construction was taking place, said Smith. 

The construction could not wait due to end-of-year constraints, according to Sherrill Matson, Business Officer for Randall Library.  Scheduling with contractors also forced the construction to take place on the first day of finals, causing an inconvenience for students studying in the library.

According to Matson, the construction would be finished by the end of the day and is a part of the library’s efforts to further improve Randall Library.  The website also cites an improved circulation area and renovated study rooms as further projects scheduled in the near future.