Tag Archives: Uncategorized

Special Collections and Access to Library Materials

I think a lot about how libraries are perceived these days.  I have met students who see libraries as wonderful welcoming places, and others who find libraries intimidating and institutional.  It’s not just students who feel that way about libraries–a scholar and librarian writes in the Chronicle of Higher Education that he, had an encounter with a special collections librarian that made him feel unwelcome.  I should say here, I’m pretty unsympathetic to his dilemma, descending as he did on a private library of unique items, and expecting to be able to page through the books right off.  However, I think it’s interesting fodder for conversation.

In fact, I think the most interesting part of that column is the comments section–it contains a lively discussion about what librarians and patrons want from Special Collections.  I think that many of the same points can be made about libraries generally.  It can frequently be difficult to balance what patrons desire with what is necessary to keep the library functioning well, and to provide access to information.

So, how do you feel about libraries?  How do you feel about Atkins in particular?  Now that people are using the library 24/7, it seems busier than ever.  I think at least some of you are here because you like it.

Or am I wrong?

Weekend Pop Culture Library References

Well I work in a library now, so I can’t help but notice references to librarians, libraries, etc in my everyday life.

NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell me had not one but two library-based riffs this weekend:

a question about really old library fines,
and
in their Limerick Quiz (second question):

And Doonesbury features an archivist and an important primary source.

Wordle, Reference Desk Help

A representation of what you all asked for from our reference librarians, in the space of one week in March.  (with the help of  www.wordle.net).
Anything look familiar?



Wordle: Reference Desk


And here’s a wordle that includes what the reference librarians did, not just what they were asked:


Wordle: Reference Desk 2

					

		
		
	


	

	

				

			
						

				A Quiet Zone Experiment
			

								


				

			
On the Third Floor of Atkins, which is now a Quiet Zone, you can now find some of these:








Both skeptics and supporters of self-policing in the library will soon have information about whether it’s a feasible way to try to keep Quiet in the QZ.
Skeptics seem to be of the mind that 1)  UNCC students are incapable of policing themselves, and 2)  that it’s somehow the job of library staff to make sure people keep quiet all the time, in all areas of the library.  These cell citation pads are scattered in the Third Floor Quiet Zone as a way of giving license to self-police.  And maybe, to add a little humor to the stress of trying to find a place to study in the run-up to final exams and research papers.


So, let me know if you use one.  Or if you receive one.

					

		
		
	


	

				

			
						

				Struggle for Quiet in the Library
			

								


				

			
Not everyone in Atkins expects absolute silence.  Some of you are actively searching for spaces that are “just noisy enough” to allow you to focus.  Spaces that are too quiet freak some people out, and don’t allow them to concentrate.


Then there are those of you who want quiet quiet quiet.  And when people are talking on their cell phones, or to each other, you get frustrated and move in search of new, genuinely quiet spaces.  


Some of you want people who are noisy in the library to be “punished” somehow.  I am struggling to figure out what that would even look like, in a context where we are all over the age of 18 and so, nominally, all grown-ups here.


When you encounter unwanted noise, is it in the “official” Quiet Zones?  Does asking people to be quiet ever work?  If you are trying to do quiet work on the first or second floor, why is that?


I am not trying to blame the victim here, I’m trying to figure out where the balance lies among all of the different ways that people (legitimately) do work, are quiet, make noise.


Should we be encouraging more self-policing?  More peer pressure to keep Quiet Areas quiet?  Is the Struggle for Quiet as big a deal as the suggestion box entries imply, or is this a vocal minority?


Help me out, here.

					

		
		
	


	

				

			
						

				Spring Break Library
			

								


				

			
UNCC has a lot of students who stick around for Spring Break.  I saw many of them in the library yesterday.  Lots of people doing work:  paper writing, test prep, tutoring, collaborative study.  A few relaxing, watching videos, checking out DVDs from the Green Box on the 2nd floor.


Why are you in the library over Spring Break?  Is this a chance to get work done before everyone else comes back?  Do you like the library better or worse with less people in it?

					

		
		
	


	

				

			
						

				When do you learn how to use the Atkins Library?
			

								


				

			
I have, at best, a hazy feel for how UNCC students come to Atkins.  My impression is that many are brought to the library, both in real space and in cyber-space, by their professors.


But when was the first time, for you?  Was it freshman-year composition class?  Was it a liberal studies class?  Did you hear about the library during new student (freshman or transfer) orientation?


And then, what did that first time look like?  Was it the only time you were told about the library?  Did/do you hear about the library and its resources from friends?  Family?  Co-workers?  Who do you trust to steer you towards the resources you need to do what you need to do at UNCC.


These questions are assuming that you were, in fact, told about the library.  Were you?


If you don’t use the library, where do you get the information that you need to do your assignments, write papers, pass your classes?