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Brackett Library Experiencing Strong Growth in Student Usage
Nov 14, 2008Brackett Library is the new hotspot on Harding University's campus. Student usage has gone up 37 percent this fall.
Brackett Library has always benefited from a centralized location on campus, but it has not always been such a popular gathering place. After the recent additions of a Java City coffee shop and sleek, modern furniture, students flocked to the library to research, use the desktop computers and wireless laptop lab, and buy vanilla lattes while studying. Director of Brackett Library Ann Dixon says, "The appearance is much more inviting and students like the more relaxed atmosphere."
Brackett Library easily meets all of a study group's needs. The first floor features tables large enough to accommodate group projects, and quiet conversation is encouraged. To help with making handouts or posters, the multi-media center is also nearby. The second floor has four conference rooms, two of which come equipped with projectors to enhance presentation preparation.
A new library website facilitates use of all of its academic resources as the library transitions from status as a print-based provider to promoting more online access. Librarians selected creditable websites, databases and print sources for certain subjects and put them into one accessible area on the website. If students need assistance with research or finding materials, they can find the name and contact information of the librarian who oversees those specific research areas.
Electronic course reserves are available online and can be accessed anywhere. "Last year, 5,838 reserve items were accessed by students," says Dixon. The Brackett Library also offers more than 21,000 full-text academic journals through the University's subscriptions to online databases. According to Dixon, for the 2007-2008 school year, 316,797 searches were made on the 73 databases provided by the library. Students are making frequent use of this resource.
Another resource available to students is the student workers. "Service has always been our highest priority. Student workers are trained to recognize the needs of our patrons and to help when they can, but they can also bring in a librarian when the question is more complex," Dixon says.
Story: Harding University