There are some older residents of Georgetown that come to Lauinger library every morning to read the daily newspapers. While I don't begrudge them access to free news, it is highly annoying that they read them so loudly in a silent reading room. It's very distracting, especially when there are many other places in the library where they could go to read them. Places where their loud newspaper reading would go unnoticed. Places that aren't silent reading rooms. We even have elevators so they can get there!

I wouldn't be distracted by this if I were at Baked and Wired like I'm supposed to be, though. But I would be at Baked and Wired like I'm supposed to be if the effing self checkout machine worked. We only have one of them, so when it's broken, it's broken. I got here before seven, and the plan was to be out of here by seven. But instead I am being held hostage by the non functioning self checkout machine, and the circulation desk doesn't open until 8:30. I'll be stuck here until at least 8:45. That is, if the old person doesn't drive me insane first.

Dear Old Person in the Library,

Loudly RIPPING newspapers is NOT allowed in SILENT reading rooms! If it's not your newspaper, you shouldn't be ripping it! And if it is your newspaper, you should read it in your fucking house! Or on one of the fucking five million benches outside!

Sincerely,
Me. And every other student in here who is paying upwards of $50 000 per year to attempt to write papers or study for finals in this Silent Reading Room.