Reporting Trip: Main Library

As a part of my reporting on how the pandemic has affected student life at the University of Georgia, I visited the Main Library. I wanted to see if students are able to have the same access and ability to study at the library as before the pandemic. The Main Library is one of the more popular places on campus for students to study or take part in Zoom classes. Located on North Campus, the Main Library is open seven days a week and has undergone several changes to remain open during the pandemic.

Some of these changes include a mask mandate, as well as sanitation stations located in multiple areas on each floor. Many tables and chairs have been moved around or removed from the building entirely to promote social distancing. Also, a limited number of people are allowed in study rooms and in the elevators.

One of the biggest changes has been in the role of security within the library. According to senior security assistant Jae Choi, her job is completely different due to the pandemic.

“We are basically the mask police,” Choi said. “Now, we have to tell people to keep their masks on and follow the policies.”

While these policies have been put into place, the Main Library has still seen a reduced number in students and patrons. Choi feels as though people in the library may partially be to blame.

“Maybe students are not comfortable being in the library because of a lot of these non-maskers,” Choi said.

Due to decreased class attendance and the addition of these new policies, it is hard to believe students are able to have the same learning and studying experience in the library now, as they were before the pandemic.