12 Ways to Take Advantage of the Library

The Monster called Fear

A few friends of mine have recently mentioned their slight fear of the library. As they spoke about their fear, it was as if the many shelves of the great rooms created something of a monster, that had huge jaws and a whisperingly soft growl, creeping around the shelves only to be seen in the eeriest sections of the library, eating pages of books and people for a snack. I think you might understand why I responded a little sarcastically, being dumbfounded at why the library was something to be feared. I had not seen the library as a monster of any sort, but rather a friend and a teacher. Someone who wanted to share great knowledge with me. But as I got to thinking about it more, the vastness and the multitude of possibilities in a library can seem overwhelming. And I think that being overwhelmed and afraid can often be interchanged with each other, or at least confused. I also feel overwhelmed at times. So how does one take advantage of the resources in the library, in order to locate and conquer? Here are a few opportunities for you in the library, and a few other fun and free resources to take advantage of… Besides the millions of books, of course.

Do you want your questions answered? Look here:

• Librarians are trained in library science, who study to help people find the information they need. In the context of the college library setting, this means helping students find information on a research topic for a paper or helping students actually come up with a topic. Going to a librarian is your best bet when trying to find a piece of information in the library.
• The Library Catalog is a valuable resource, which is usually available online so that you can search for library documents while at home. Looking through a library’s catalogue allows you to search for books, articles, scholarly journals, music and other archives, along with their cited sources and location. This resource also allows you to reserve, renew and pick up your items on a later date.
• Getting lost isn’t always a bad thing. Go into the library without a destination, perhaps looking for a book to read for pleasure. Travel through the aisles of Fiction and pick up anything that appeals to you. One of the greatest advantages of a library is that it’s all free. By using your library card like a credit card you are able to access tons of information for no cost. Here are some other things you have free access to:

1. DVDs & CDs
2. Online Audio & e-books
3. Online Music & Videos
4. Online Reference Resources: magazines, newspapers, journals, encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories
5. Special Collections: photographs, paintings, maps

• Having a print source directly in front of you is another benefit to the library, as opposed to the internet that goes through mediums of information that have been passed on several times. That’s the wonderful thing about books, it’s not hard to cite the source when it is right in front of you.
• Silence is something that is almost sacred on a college campus. Few places are familiar with this word, and one of them is within the walls of the library.
• Wi-Fi is another reason that the library is great. When researching a paper, combine your print sources and your web sources to maximize your sources.
• Attend events & classes held in your library. Book readings, seminars, presentations, you name it. Pick up a schedule of events at your nearest library.