A New Room for Zoom
Introducing the Focus Room in McKeldin Library for private, productive work sessions
Library users have a new space to block out distractions and get their work done this fall. The Focus Room, located near the public computers on the 1st floor of McKeldin Library, provides relative privacy and soundproofing making it an ideal location for phone and video calls. The room features a height-adjustable desk, task light with embedded wireless charging, built-in power with outlets and USB ports, and a whiteboard. It is constructed out of materials engineered to reduce noise by 27dB, muffling sounds from the outside and preventing others from hearing the conversation taking place inside. The space is also equipped with a quiet three-fan ventilation system and HEPA filtration to filter out allergens, dust, and other harmful particles and continuously circulate fresh air.
The room can be used by 1 person at a time and can be reserved online by UMD users for up to 4 hours. The Libraries is testing this new flexible work space in McKeldin Library as a way to help meet the demand for private spaces for video conferencing and is seeking users’ feedback. Have you tried out the Focus Room? Share your thoughts with us.
Other spaces for quiet individual study are also available on floors 4, 6, and 7 of McKeldin Library for reservations in 4-hour and 8-hour increments, as well as first-come, first-served study carrels on the 3rd floor of McKeldin Library.