FFB is one of my favorite places to do work. Some of my fondest memories over the past few years has been doing work with friends on FFB. The work load at Dartmouth is rigorous, having a social and relaxed space to do work helps mitigate the stress that accompanies a normal academic term. It also creates a collaborative space to work on group projects and learn with others.

Without FFB, people who need to do group work must resort to other places in the library that are typically designated quiet spaces. This interferes with the study habits of students who prefer to work without distraction. 

While it may have made sense to close one of the most social spots in the library when COVID cases were high, numbers have dropped significantly since the start of the term. Additionally, masking efforts in class, dining halls, and the rest of the library have been diligent. Because of this I believe opening FFB no longer poses a significant COVID risk.