I would imagine that the people in the picture are students. Maybe they have some time to kill before a class, or maybe some are even skipping class. Only a few of them look like they're studying and if they were serious about their work, they'd probably sit at a table, rather than in a soft, comfortable chair. Since there are a couple of people reaidng newspapers, it makes me think it might be the morning. You can tell they're in a library by the magazine rack on the right and the card catalog, way in the back. And while these students might be conscientious morning people, there doesn't seem to be much studying going on. -Amy Wan
Young men, sitting/slouching in chairs and at tables, waiting for something, resting. It is a place to rest and they probably don't know each other because they are not communicating with one another. They are in some waiting room; a safe environment; can't tell time of day because it is indoors with no windows in site. -Sharon O'Brien
All male students, "modern" furniture from the '70's (?), probably in a library (an old card catalog?). Probably an all male college or predominantly male department. -Steven A. Bluhm
Students studying in the library, at a college. -Linda Akutsu
Reading newspapers in the library in order to be able to have articulate
conversations about current
events and to be more aware of what goes on in the world. They do not know
each other. It is a college library not open to the broader community, must
have a library card or be a student. -Kim Kessaris
Since there are so many people who are obviously not studying (because that would probably require sitting at a table or at least having more room), I think that all of these people are stopping at the library to waste time between classes, or taking a break from studying in the library to do some non-academic reading. It's probably the middle of the day, and judging from what they are wearing, it's winter. -Anne Maloney