Chicago Tribune | Welcome to campus; have an iPod
This article in today’s Chicago Tribune caught my eye because of one particular phrase. A DePaul University student is quoted as follows:
“I don’t have to leave my room,” said Emily McDermott, a freshman who said her room is usually littered with pizza boxes. “I can get everything in my room on the Internet. I don’t have to go to the library, I can have food delivered, I can talk to people online.”
It’s the mention of libraries that I think is interesting. Is this student typical? Do students really not bother coming to the library anymore because so much of what they think they need is available online? I am doubtful of this. I think this is true for some, but certainly not for all, or even for most. It is quite interesting for me to see the heavy use of my library by those who use online resources. Sure, circulation statistics are down, but use of the physical space is still pretty high. Students come to the library even if they are doing their research online.
The real problem, I think, is in communicating to students about the wealth of resources available online as well as offline. I think that if libraries did a better job of highlighting the two together, more use would be made of both. Most students I interact with are overwhelmed by what the library offers. They don’t know where to start. Once they know about what is available to answer their research needs, they use it.
One time about a year ago, I overheard a student tour guide tell parents and prospective students who were trouping through the library: “The library has x number of books, x number of periodicals, but actually, everything in the library is available online, so you don’t even need to come here.” I about choked.
