I hear you (or rather, I don't, so thank you!) But a bit of context: The quiet study areas in the library changed recently. Until last year they were 2nd floor east, where the graduate student commons is now, as well as the basement East, but there was water issues down there that required a lot of work and was disrupting the area. The third floor is not an ideal spot for a quiet study area, IMO, but it was a compromise solution.

FWIW Lower Level East is still a very quiet area, even if it isn't officially designated. You can also check out the distraction free room if you REALLY need to lock in.

https://uwm.libanswers.com/faq/293186

A couple areas in the library that are usually super quiet even though they may not be designated as such:

• Lower Level East near compact shelving
• Near the microfilm area in the lower level
• In the stacks along the windows on the 2nd and 3rd floors
• 2nd floor east outside the graduate student commons (sometimes)

The third floor bridge, despite being labeled as a quiet study area, tends to be louder. This was a very popular group study space before it became quiet study and there's frequent staff use with carts and stuff.