How MiraCosta College Uses Study Pods to Support Student Focus

MiraCosta College using Agati Study pods for academic libraries for focused study in busy spaces

Q&A with Michelle Ohnstad, Library Manager at MiraCosta College

The POD Study Carrel has become one of the most requested pieces of furniture in academic libraries. At MiraCosta College in Southern California, it’s a staple. On the busiest days, every POD is full.

Michelle Ohnstad has managed MiraCosta’s three library facilities since 2015. She oversees spaces across the Oceanside campus, San Elijo campus, and a Community Learning Center. Her team has been an Agati partner since the main library building opened in 2003.

We spoke with Michelle about how the POD Study Carrel fits into MiraCosta’s approach to higher education furniture and why students keep asking for more.

How do students use study pods in an academic library?

“The PODs are used in our quiet study area for students who need a space to concentrate. They are filled on our busy days!”

Students at MiraCosta face a range of demands on their time and attention. Many are juggling hybrid schedules.

Michelle has seen this shift firsthand. “Students are seeking places where they can hunker down with their laptop, participate in a Zoom class, and then rush off to their next class.” The PODs give those students a home base. A place to lock in between obligations.

On MiraCosta’s busiest days, every POD is occupied. That kind of consistent demand shaped how the team thinks about University Furniture going forward.

Two Agati POD study carrels in a row beside a window at MiraCosta College's San Elijo campus library

A group of Agati study pods at MiraCosta College's San Elijo campus, used as private study spaces across the college's three libraries

Why choose the POD Study Carrel for a college library?

We love the design, the thoughtful additions (purse/backpack shelf, pop up charger) and the acoustical engineering. The students love them and we are buying more soon!

The acoustics stood out from the start. Michelle describes the experience: “In the pods, you can look up and see people around you, but when you look down acoustically it makes it easy to concentrate.”

That balance, visible but protected, is one of the reasons students gravitate to the PODs. Michelle also values how the POD makes students feel. “Students really appreciate us purchasing furniture that is comfortable, durable and has charging ports. and in the case of PODs, envelops them in a sort of safe cocoon so that they can concentrate on their work.”

What problems do study pods solve in library spaces?

It gives students options for their study sessions. We also like the side entrance to the PODs so that a student’s back isn’t facing outwards.

Options matter. “Students need quiet spaces where they can concentrate on their work, but they also want group spaces where they can work together and socialize with their peers,” Michelle explains.

The POD serves the quiet end of that spectrum. The side entrance is a small detail that makes a big difference. Students can keep a clear view of the room while they settle into a space that feels enclosed and their own. That orientation gives them command of their surroundings and a sense of shelter at the same time.

Agati study pods arranged in a clover formation around a pillar, making efficient use of library floor space

Agati study pods in a clover layout, giving a modern look to the busy college library at MiraCosta College

What charging and tech options does the POD Study Carrel offer?

We have the pop up plugs and I’m glad Agati is incorporating the USB-C now. We’ve added small whiteboards that hang over the wall so students can jot down notes. They love them, too!

Charging access is more important than many designers realize. Michelle has loaned out hundreds of laptops and mobile hotspots each semester. “There’s still a huge digital divide in this country,” she notes. When students do have their devices, they need power.

The pop-up plugs and USB-C ports in the POD Study Carrel deliver power right at the work surface, so students can plug in and keep working while the desk stays clear. The whiteboards are a MiraCosta addition, a simple customization that turns each POD into a self-contained study station. It’s a good example of how a well-designed product invites personalization.

What do students think of study pods?

We’ve done seating surveys and the students want more PODs! We will be getting some more soon.

The survey data tells a consistent story. “The students love PODs and Gee Chairs so much. They comment on them when we give surveys, and you can tell how much they value these special pieces.” The staff has even coined a term for a common sight: “two peas in a pod” for a pair of students nestled into one POD, sharing a laptop.

Michelle calls the impact plain: “It was a game changer in terms of library seating.” When MiraCosta’s main library entered a full renovation, the team made one thing clear. “We were adamant about moving all the pods and Gee Chairs that we could fit.” This shows just how central these study pods have become in the library at MiraCosta.

A student using an Agati study pod with a laptop in the MiraCosta College library

A run of Agati study pods giving a modern look to the college library at MiraCosta College

How should libraries choose study furniture for students?

“Ask students what they want or need and don’t be afraid to take risks. Look at data – survey your students, ask them what you’re doing right and what you’re doing wrong. You get a lot of surprising answers.”

Her message to architects and designers is the same. “Really listen to the end users. Listen, ask a lot of questions, and visit all kinds of spaces.” MiraCosta’s experience shows what happens when a library takes that advice seriously. Students get spaces built for focus, comfort, and real work. This makes a big difference for the students in the college library and the people running the library itself.

Bring Study Pods to Your Library

MiraCosta’s experience shows what focused study furniture can do when a library listens to its students and gives them space built for real work. If you’re planning a library refresh or a new build, the POD Study Carrel offers that same quiet focus for your space.

Explore the POD Study Carrel or Message an Expert to talk through what would work in your library.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best furniture for quiet study areas in libraries?

Study pods are among the most effective furniture for quiet study areas, because they combine an enclosed, acoustic surround with a work surface, power, and a comfortable seat. Agati’s POD Study Carrel gives each student a focused space of their own while keeping them within the larger library.

What is a study pod?

A study pod is a semi-enclosed, individual study space that surrounds a person with panels, and a work surface. Modern study pods include integrated power, and a comfortable seat. This makes a study pod a place to concentrate inside a larger shared room.

Agati’s POD Study Carrel is a study pod designed for academic and public libraries, with curved upholstered panels that form an acoustic refuge, pop-up plugs and USB-C charging at the desk, and a side entrance that keeps a clear view of the room while a student settles into focus.

Are study pods good for neurodivergent students?

Yes. The enclosed, curved design offers a calm, low-distraction space that many find supportive, which is why the Agati POD has become a popular choice for neurodivergent-friendly learning environments. Sitting inside three walls provides a sense of refuge while keeping a clear view of the room.

Can study pods support hybrid and online classes?

Yes. Students use study pods to join Zoom sessions and online classes between in-person commitments, with integrated power keeping devices charged and the acoustic surround helping them stay focused in a busy college library.

Are study pods durable enough for high-traffic libraries?

Yes. Agati builds the POD Study Carrel for years of daily use in busy public spaces, using commercial-grade materials and USA manufacturing. Durability is a core reason libraries choose the POD for high-traffic study areas.

How do study pods help students focus?

Curved, upholstered panels absorb sound and create an acoustic refuge. The side entrance lets a student have a semi-enclosed space with clear sightlines while maintaining focus on work.