Exactly, form follows function. The library in my city has been designed by someone who apparently has never been inside one itself, as "a place of communication". Completly open from basement to fourth floor and with lots of straight concrete walls, that reflect every sound, combined with a floor that it's impossible to walk quietly on. It's open 24/7 and even on the fourth floor, you're able to hear people on the ground floor or in the basement. You can even hear if someone coughs or laughs on the opposite side of the floor (easily 90 metres/ 100 yards!), it's ridiculous. And that's at the best of times, during the day, when it's packed with students, it's never anywhere near that quiet.