Following a relaxing Spring Break, students came back to school and entered into a new process at one of the school’s most popular social hubs: the library, formally known as the ILC. While students were previously allowed to freely utilize the library during their lunch or study hall periods to complete work, a new set of rules have instilled a more user-friendly atmosphere for those seeking quiet areas of research and study.

“It’s more just trying to manage the attendance,” librarian Barbara Mason said.

In order to create an area promoting academic studies, students who are not part of a study hall class held in the ILC need to obtain a pass signed by a teacher to enter the library space. Officials from the attendance office and library staff used this week to implement this new system, and hope it will better enhance services to students.

“It’s not ideal, but we want to offer the most to our students and [the rules] will better organize study spaces,” Mason said.

Study spaces are not only found in the general computer area, but also in private group rooms and the Makerspace. Group rooms are present to allow students working in a group setting to effectively collaborate on a project in a secluded atmosphere so as not to disturb others in the library. On the flip side, the Makerspace is designed to promote creativity and design among students and teachers alike. Many of these spaces were abused in the past and used for the wrong purposes. Therefore, regulations needed to be implemented to offer a better quality space for those interested in learning.

“I understand why they set up the new rules,” freshman Allison Beckman said. “People were always goofing off in the Makerspace and mistreating its equipment. But for those like me wanting to do work, it is much harder and repetitive to be asking a teacher everyday for a pass.”

“Sources from the library will be better understood and appreciated because of [the new policy],” Mason said. “ It now accommodates to those needing to do research and study in a quiet, studious environment.”

Despite its new limitations to students, ACHS’s new policy put into action this week by the ILC and administration is fueled with a hopeful mindset of improving student services.