Green Library remains overcrowded

Natalie Alatriste/Staff Writer
news@fiusm.com

Like many students, Michelle Chavez roams the floors of the Green Library, trying to find a place to study.

A lot of times, she ends up sitting on the floor and waiting for a space to open up nearby.

“Finding space is a nuisance in general,” said Chavez, a senior majoring in advertising. “I won’t let myself roam for more than 15 minutes. I usually can’t waste that kind of time.”

Whether they go in groups or on their own, University students struggle to find a table, cubicle or even just an outlet to plug their laptops. The problem begins with the easy access to the University and its resources.

The University, like all state universities, is open to the public; anyone can set foot on campus and go into buildings, buy a sandwich at Subway and use the computers in the library.

The library staff have noticed that students from private institutions — mostly online schools — are encouraged to do their schoolwork in the University, leaving actual FIU students without space.

Unfortunately, the University can’t do anything about it, said to Anne Prestamo, the dean of libraries.

“We have designation as a federal depository library, which requires all of our doors to be open to the public,” she said.

Prestamo said that the staff is surveying and collecting data about the library space in general. Once the staff understands the extent of the problem, they can put a stop to overcrowding in both the shelving space and table space, she confirmed.

In a faculty senate meeting in early October, Associate Librarian Patricia Pereira-Pujol brought up the issue.

“Because we are a public institution, our resources can be used by people that are not FIU students or faculty,” said Pereira-Pujol.

Students are concerned with the library overcrowding because they’re the ones paying tuition to use the resources and facilities, yet they can’t because there is always a space issue.

Elaine Cordova, a sophomore majoring in public relations, feels frustrated that she can never find a place to study.

“I usually come alone, but when I do meet up with people, it’s an even bigger struggle to find a space for us all,” she said. “It’s not cool if people from other schools are finding spots when I pay tuition.”

Although it is more convenient to walk straight to the library and study after class, the problem has caused students to giving up on trying to find space in the library to study on campus.

“I’ve given up on trying to find space,” said Isis Perez, a freshman majoring in biology. “I’ve resorted to staying home to study.”