Library Spots for Voice & Video Calls – Part 1: Ground Floor & “All Floors”

We all depend on each other to maintain a good study environment, which means no voice or video calls in open public areas.  But, what to do when you want or need to make a call?

The Library has several phone-friendly spots, indoors and outdoors.   This is the first of two posts on Library Spots for Voice & Video Calls.

Comfortable & Close to G/F Entry
Photo of the HKUST Modeling Space The Modelling Space

This room is designated for 3-D printing and scanning, but it’s also a good place to make a voice or video call.  Just go in and shut the door! 🙂

Location: G/F , near the entry (floor plan)

Pro: Convenient on entering via G/F, or if you’re studying close to there. Chairs and tables available. Electrical outlets available.

Con: Inconvenient if you’re not nearby. If someone is scanning, no privacy. If a print job is running, there may be ambient noise.

Overall: A quick and convenient place for a call


Indoors, Bright and Comfortable

Photo of HKUST Library Garden Foyer The Foyer to the G/F Garden

Location: Back of G/F near Lift C

Pro:  Bright & has some views. Has soft seating and some tables. Some electricity available.

Con: Lacks privacy. People coming & going from the Garden or Lift C or getting back issues of newspapers. Popular spot with some for study.

Overall: Nice place if you can get a seat.


Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Photo of HKUST Library Garden The Library Garden

The garden is designed for relaxing, studying, and chatting, or making voice or video calls.

Location: Back of G/F, near lift C (floor plan)

Pro: Lots of fresh air. Abundant tables and benches. Electricity available. When the weather cooperates, it’s lovely.

Con: Weather dependent! In the start of fall semester & in the end of the spring semester, it can be too hot & humid. In early spring semester, can be too chilly or foggy.

Overall: A great place to voice or video call when it’s not too hot or wet.


Traditional But Ugly

Photo of HKUST Library back stairwell - picture of grey empty stair well with metal balustrades, tile stairs, and concrete walls The interior back stairwells of Library, near lift B are a common place people head to.

Location: All floors of the Library

Pro: Easy to find and get to.

Con: Signal is poor and the ambience is rather depressing. No electricity. Lacks privacy. No place to sit except on the stairs (yuck).

Overall: OK for a quick call to arrange a better place to talk.

Blue double doors set in a tile wall with a landline phone Lobby of Lift B

Location: All floors of the Library

Pro: Easy to find and get to.

Con: Signal is so-so. Ambience is poor: lots of guys walking to the men’s room and people entering and exiting the lift.  No electricity. No place to sit. No privacy.

Overall: OK for a quick call to arrange a better place to talk.


Traditional and Very Ugly

Photo inside a restroom in HKUST Library Inside the Restrooms

Location: All floors of the Library

Pro: Easy to find and get to.

Con: Signal is so-so. Ambience is poor: lots of people coming in and out to use the toilets. Sounds of water in sink or flushing may disturb the call.  No place to sit (except on a toilet). No privacy.

Overall: Avoid. There’s many nicer places in the Library to  have a voice or video call.

 


In the next post in this series, we will look at places on LG1, LG3, and LG4 to make calls!

Victoria Caplan
Head (Research & Learning Support)
lbcaplan@ust.hk

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