I just took my daughter on college visits to six different schools in New England. All the tours showcased, among other things, their library. For five of the schools the floor on which we entered was a hub of activity -- not quiet at all. The tour guides said that as you descend (or ascend depending the the libraries construction) each floor becomes progressively quieter by policy with the last floor being silent work only. The sixth school was quiet on the entry floor (whispers only) and had other floors on which active conversation was allowed.

Just thought it was important to point out that colleges and universities (at least the ones we saw) allow for and enforce space for a range of volume. Of course multiple floors of a building make these kinds of policies possible to enforce.

Jackie