Penn State Libraries Enjoy Increase in Usage
Many may assume that due to technology’s quick and steady rise, library attendance is headed for a swoon. In fact, it’s been widely documented that numerous public libraries across the country have been forced to shorten hours of operation or close down completely. Thankfully, this is not the case at Penn State’s University Park libraries. “Our gate counts are increasing,” says Emily Rimland, information literacy librarian at University Park. “More students are coming to the library than ever.” In fact, over the last year University Park libraries have hosted over 3.3 million visitors.
Photo courtesy of Penn State Live
How can this be? With so many other ways to acquire information, libraries should no doubt feel at least some of the repercussions of all of the exciting developments going on outside the bookbinding. “Students are probably using the library space differently,” says Rimland. “I think we’ve done a good job of adapting to our students’ needs.”
University Park libraries have been able to bring its attendance levels to new highs thanks to inviting study areas, a vast array of new technologies, as well as older invaluable resources that only a library can provide. “I still think the library is the most productive place to get work done,” says Chris Wulderk (senior, Engineering). “I’ve used everything from the private study rooms for group work, to working in the stacks when I need to get a ton of solo work done. It’s the only place I can really focus. I spend a lot of time in there.”
The library will always be a safe haven for hard-working students looking to complete their studies. But it is important to notice that the Pattee and Paterno Library still has clout in housing group projects and study. “Even if I don’t have a group project, I’ll use the quiet library space and computer labs to study with my friends,” says Yasmine Harris, senior, political science. “It’s good to look up from my books and see familiar faces, it really takes the edge off.”
The Pattee and Paterno Library has always been a home to a myriad of different computer labs. With more coming next semester, the library has launched flat screen displays on the ground floor showing how many computers are available in different locations around the library. “We’ve gotten a lot of good feedback,” says Rimland. “Students seem really excited about it.”
It is interesting to see that the latest and greatest initiatives are not the only things that get students excited as the Pattee and Paterno Library is the home of many items that can’t be found anywhere else. “I’ve had to use the microfilm machine on various occasions for research projects,” says Anthony Pell (junior, Business). “Where else are you going to find a microfilm in this town? Nowhere. The librarian was really helpful in teaching me how to use the machine, now I just walk in and hop right to it whenever I need a historical document.”
The microfilm machine, dated as it may be, is something that will be around for the foreseeable future, however it is clear that the library is seeing much of their growth on the Internet. Something that keeps students coming back to the library website is the deep selection of academic journals featuring an absolutely massive number of articles.
Anne Behler and her colleagues in Library Learning Services conduct library instruction sessions for first-year students. (photo courtesy of Penn State Live)
This resource is key for students conducting research projects and papers. It has become clear that the Internet is not the safest place to find reliable sources, but at http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/databases.html it’s okay believe what you’re reading. “The academic journal database is a total life saver,” says Kevin Jacobson, senior, advertising. “It saves me a lot of time. Rather than combing through library books for hours looking for the perfect quotation, I can just enter my subject into the search bar and hundreds of articles and essays pop up a second later. It is fantastic.”
The library’s online resources don’t end there though, as Penn State Mobile is the latest initiative that brings the benefits of the library to students, wherever they may be. A campus map, faculty and staff directory, bus tracker and computer lab availability are some of the highlights available to users. However, the Library section may be the most beneficial, as it packs a powerful punch in a small package. “You can search the library, check hours and we now have mobile optimized databases too,” says Rimland.
All in all, Penn State libraries are equipping students with the necessary tools to achieve greatness both in the classroom and with outside endeavors. So far Penn State’s libraries have done an excellent job of keeping up with a rapidly changing technological environment, and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
By Pete Cardoso, Teaching and Learning with Technology communications intern
