New Seats Will Reduce Crowding At Hilles, Get Cliffies Off Floor

Hilles library has ordered 100 seating units to. relieve overcrowding.

The need for additional seats became apparent during last reading period, when every chair in the library was filled and students were sprawling on the floor.

Mrs. Ruth K. Porritt, head librarian, said yesterday that the architect's original plan had provided for a seating capacity of 600, but only 500 units were installed when Hilles was completed last fall, in case the other 100 would be unnecessary.

But the large numbers of students using the library exceeded expectations and brought about the decision to order more furniture, she said.

Because new study tables, chairs, and easy chairs take three to four months to be delivered, they will probably not arrive until June, Mrs. Porritt said.

Same Decor

The new units will not alter Hilles decor and will be scattered throughout the building in empty alcoves and open spaces. The new seats won't be an unanticipated financial burden for Radcliffe. Funds were allotted from the Hilles general construction budget for installing them.

Mrs. Porritt predicted that the opening of Lamont Library to Cliffies would cut down daytime use of Hilles, but would have no effect on nighttime use. "Why should girls walk all the way down to the Square when they have a library right here?", she asked.

Complaints Voiced

Complaints about overcrowding were first voiced in November but the Radcliffe Government Association requested then that several months be allowed to pass before action was taken. It was hoped that inclement weather would relieve the over-crowding.

In cooperation with the RGA request, the petition which was circulatel through the dorms at that time was withdrawn.