As the end semester examinations draw closer, the number of students going to the library has drastically increased. This has however led to an increase in noise and other interruptions for students who want to concentrate on their books.

A section of library users is complaining about noise caused by phone calls, constant movements, discussion groups, student conversations, among others. Some students have been seen watching movies and listening to music in the library.

Rose Namusobya, a second year student of Bachelor of Journalism and Communication says she has been a victim of this vice. She told journalism@mak that sometimes the noise is too much that one can’t concentrate in the library.

Namusobya suggest library users who make noise should be punished heavily to deter others from doing the same. "For example, they can decide to give them a fine Shs.5,000 if found distracting others," she says.

Judith Kasega, a second year student doing Bachelor of Library and Information Science, suggests that this noise could be reduced by tightening the rules in the library and where need be, cameras should be installed for effective monitoring of the students during their stay in the library.

Miriam Kakai, a librarian admits that the problem of noise is growing, and is becoming persistent in the library. This, she says is because many library users fail to observe the library rules (clearly written on the walls) or they take them for granted.

She further explains that this noise is caused by unserious students who probably do not know what to do in the library. "I urge students to respect the library and follow its etiquettes in order to make the place conducive for private reading," Kakai adds.

Library users are supposed to follow rules written on the walls, including not making noise, not eating in the library, among others. We could not readily establish how strictly these rules are adhered to, and of any students have been punished for this.