5 Reasons to Visit Your Campus Library
This article was originally published in 2024 as a resource for college freshmen through the Mitchell Institute.
During my freshman year of college, I got a work study job at the campus library. What started as a place to make some money quickly became one of my most used resources. I had no idea how much libraries have to offer. Libraries are more than just a quiet place to study—they are a building full of free resources just for you! Here are 5 things to look out for at your local campus library:
1. Textbooks
Your library often has textbooks for your classes available to check out for a short period of time. You may even find older versions of the textbook available in the stacks, as well as other books that might be required reading. Even if they do not have the book, you may want to ask a librarian for help getting it from another library. All campus libraries are part of a network that spans across the country, and they may just be able to send you a book from California to Maine for free!
2. More than books
Books are not the only things that are available for you at your campus library! Many libraries have an assortment of other resources that you can check out, such as cameras, CDs, DVDs, anatomy models, and more. Some libraries will have things you might not expect, like a sewing machine or 3D printer. Campus libraries will also have computers and printers present should you not have one available to you at home or in your dorm. Make sure you see what yours has to offer.
3. Research Resources
Your librarians do more than check out books. Have you ever heard of JSTOR, keyword searching, boolean operators, or wildcards? Your librarian has! They are skilled experts at finding the exact information you need to complete a paper or project. You can schedule one-on-one time with a librarian to walk you through the best way to access credible sources and teach you research skills that you can use for the rest of your life.
4. A study zone for everyone
Campus libraries typically have areas designated to different noise levels. Need a spot to study with a friend? They have a table where you can chat freely. Need a quiet box of solitude and silence to cram for an exam? They have that too! Libraries often have rooms you can reserve as well, in case you are interested in hosting a study group or need a space to have a virtual interview.
5. All of it is free!
The absolute best part about your library is that it is all free. The textbooks, the camera access, the book that is being flown across the country… every bit of it is no cost to you. College is already a huge expense, and it can be hard to feel good about buying every little thing off your class requirements list, especially if you know you will only use it once and never again. Check out your library, and when you leave campus, check out your local library too. You might be surprised what you can find there.