Need Help? Ask a Librarian.

Photo Taken at SUNY Brockport Library. Photo Credit: Siomara Germain

Freshmen students are sometimes surprised to find out that their college library is not like their high school library.

Wendy Prince, evening library supervisor at Drake Memorial Library at SUNY Brockport, says that students should know that “whatever they want is within their reach” because the library has a lot of databases to help the students.

There are some students on campus who doesn’t know where the library is located. Of this, Prince said, “Stop breaking my heart.” She believes these students does not know where the library is located because it is not located in the central field of campus. “We’re off to the side. I also blame those train tracks in the pathway.”

There are many things that students can do at the library. Prince said, “There are casual readings and movies over the weekend. It’s just something that we encourage the students to do. Something other than drinking.”

According to Prince, there are a lot of computer labs at the library and some students do not seem to be aware of the amount of computers the library has. For the students who are not aware of the resources that the department provides, they should know the library is personalized. Prince said, “The library is not all about the academics. There are some relaxed materials. We provide IPads, books, laptops, phone chargers, and much more.”

However, students should also be aware that if they do not return checked out materials from the library, such as a book, they will be charged. Prince said, “Every book is an automatic $100. If you have a library fine, you can’t register for classes.”

Librarians also help students with their research. “It allows us to show off what the library has and what we can do because people underestimate the job of a librarian. They think I just sit around and read books all day when I do the complete opposite.”

The library may be overwhelming at first, but with the help of librarians, it won’t be among the things that you have to worry about in college.