Tips on using the Library

The semester's beginning to wind down, which means the Library's really beginning to gear up!

We see our heaviest activity at six times in the academic year, three in each semester: the beginning, midterms, and the end. Students start off being very serious about knuckling down to do their work, then that seriousness sort of peters out after the first couple of weeks. When midterms roll around, though, you can bet all the local grindstones are full to their utmost surface nasal capacity. Once that's over, relief lets them focus on other things ... until finals come along, then it's a flurry of activity, and all of our computers and study tables are occupied. It's a nicely predictable pattern and it lets us plan our bigger projects around peak times.

What that means right now is that we're preparing for the onrush, with finals only three weeks away. Although we're certainly still working on big things -- the weeding of the collection continues apace, as do our plans for reconfiguring some of the Library space, as well as planning for next Fall -- at this time of the semester, helping students keeps us on our feet all the time.

We're already seeing the demand beginning to pile up. Our computers are consistently maxing out their capacity, the printers are always going, and study tables are occupied most of the time. With that in mind, I thought I'd offer a few tips on using the Library!

Why? It's important. More than anything else, the Library is a shared resource, and although we certainly have a lot here, it's also finite. Following these tips will help make sure everyone gets a chance to use what we offer with a minimum of stress and annoyance.

Here goes ...

1) Lockers, we have them.
Sometimes people are surprised to find out that the lockers by both restrooms on the first floor are available for use. They are! You can check out a key from the Service Desk and use it all day to stash your things. It cuts down on backaches as you traipse around the Library and campus.

2) You can bring your own computers.
We offer free wireless Internet access to all Gallaudet students, staff, and faculty members. This means waiting around for a public computer to open up can be a thing of the past! Just bring in your laptops and plug them in. Which leads us to ...

3) Power outlets. Lots of them.
We have power strips underneath all our round study tables. They're always on and are available to take your laptop cords and smartphone chargers! Many of our smaller study tables have power outlets of their own, too! This, in turn leads us to ...

4) Let there be light.
Many people don't know that our smaller study tables -- like the ones that line the big windows around our first floor -- come with their own lights! You can flip them on and focus on your work without straining your eyes every time a cloud passes over the sun.

5) Nooks and crannies.
Our most heavily-used study space is also our most visible and easy to find. However, some students don't like the feeling of exposure and the distractions that come with being out in the open where you can see everything that's going on. That's okay -- just head downstairs! We have lots of quiet study space in the basement that's tucked away in little corners throughout the stacks. My personal favorite is the alcove in the 800s; big windows, nice views, comfortable chairs, and hidden by a wall of good books!

6) We understand stress.
We get it, really we do. One way you can unwind after a few hours of studying or writing is to head up to the Deaf Library Study Center. You can either check out a fun flick and watch it there, or take advantage of our cable subscription for a little while! Or maybe you just want to grab a few winks. Run up to the first floor, drop your things off at your locker, then find a couch somewhere and snooze ...

7) At least, until you're hungry.
Our vending machines offer a lot of sugary things to help give you that midafternoon jolt you need to get back to work. What? Most of you are college students. You're too young to need tofu and prune juice.

8) Make friends with the natives.
When you're going to spend a lot of time in the Library, it pays to get social with the librarians. I know -- we are a proud race and intimidating with our big brains. But consider this: if you've been in here a lot and have checked out books or asked for help, we probably already know your name and remember what you're working on based on our previous interactions. Talking with us a little bit will most likely yield some surprising dividends: avenues of investigation you haven't thought of, books you didn't know we had, or insider information on what's on the next new-book cart. We've also discovered that people feel more comfortable with asking us to buy new materials if they know us a little bit. Take advantage and help tailor the collection to your discipline a little more!

Now the last one, which I've reserved because it really unlocks a lot of the Library: The early bird gets the worm. In other words, coming in during off-peak hours will make it easier to get a computer, use the scanner, collect books and DVDs you need, and find a quiet spot to work in. It also means that the librarian on the Service Desk has more time to focus on what you need help with, which is a win all around.

Okay. Now it's time for the biggest secret. Our peak hours are:

9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Do with this information what you will. And enjoy the rest of the semester!