By Paige Quiggins

1. Talking in study areas

People head to the upper levels and back hallways of the library to get away from this. There are rooms for group meetings. Think about it: If you were trying to study for a difficult exam, would you really want to listen to someone spitting game or clowning around when they could go elsewhere?

2. Chatting on your cell

Come on, we all know that libraries are made to create a quiet study environment. Trust me—no one cares how wasted you got last night. Piecing your night back together can wait until later. If you can’t wait, go outside. And please, keep your phone on silent or vibrate. Hearing “Baby Got Back” play over and over again, like a broken record, gets really old, really fast.

3. Screeching headphones

If music helps you concentrate, fine. Cranking up the volume on your iPod headset only amplifies the sound in the opposite direction, by using your ears as a megaphone. Try to keep the volume at a level that doesn’t have the whole table Jammin’ to Bob Marley. If you insist on ruining your hearing, at least have the decency to invest in studio-quality, soundproof headphones. Those cost around $200.

4. Skype or video chatting

This is totally rude, especially in the periodicals section, where people are trying to read dense material. Foreign lovers can wait until you get home to chat.

5. Using Facebook,Twitter, or Myspace at peak hours

It’s not cool to sit in the library computer lab and leisurely chat about your random weekend hookups, or browse through pictures of sexy singles when there is a wait. Having to wait 20 minutes to print out a paper because Joe Blow wants to holler at his net flings is rather aggravating.

6. Making yourself way too comfortable

When the library is crowded, and you are using a 12-foot table with eight or more chairs, please do not take up half of the table. It’s all right to spread out a little, but don’t clutter. Personal space is needed, when you can give it. It’s a tad uncomfortable when someone sits right next to you at an empty table for 15, perhaps even a little creepy.

7. Eating chips

Crunch. Rattle. Crunch. Eating Doritos and Cheetos in the library is a no-no. There’s this thing called the Tulip Tree Cafe. It’s a lot louder than you think. It’s also equally gross to find the orange-powdered trail of fingerprints.

8. Printing tons of pages during crunch time

It’s just a little bit inconsiderate to choose to print your thesis or class handouts during crunch time. Some people may be trying to print out something right before class that would only take a few seconds.

9. Tearing pages out of your notebook or binder

Rip. Clank. Clank. Rip. Crunch. Loose-leaf paper costs about $1. Invest in some. Can you not wait until you get home to throw the paper away? Or better yet, recycle it.

10. Leaving your waste for others to enjoy

This is just sheer laziness. You can’t walk 10 feet to get to the trash can or recycling bin? Not to mention, it’s unsanitary and gross to leave your half-eaten sushi on the desk.