"It's (John Deaver Drinko Library) bright and cheery. I really do think the students like it. Lots of students have their favorite machines and favorite study rooms." -- Monica Brooks, associate director of technology services 

Students can take advantage of Net access, 24-hour study area, books

by CHRISTINA REDEKOPP
Life! editor

The newly-built concrete and glass structure between Old Main and Corbly Hall offers a place to study for some and a haven for others. 

The John Deaver Drinko Library is not even a year old, but students have already identified which study room is their favorite or which terminal they prefer to use, said Monica Brooks, associate director of technology services and planning at the John Deaver Drinko Library. 

"It’s bright and cheery. I really do think the students like it," Brooks said. "Lots of students have their favorite machines and favorite study rooms." At least 250 computers are available that are Internet accessible in the library. "They can do a lot with them including multi-media," Brooks said. 

"We have a little over 100 different databases," Brooks said. "We have inter-library loan. That opens doors. You’re not limited to this library." 

Personal or group study rooms are available on a first-come first-serve basis, she said. Three presentation room`s are used to conduct 250 instructional classes per year. Many teachers bring their students to the classes including Univer-sity 101 and English 101 classes. 

Brooks said the computer center being open 24 hours during the fall and spring semesters is something many students take advantage of. 

"One of my students camped out there during dead week," Brooks said. 

She said an important thing incoming students should know is to go to the fourth floor of the library to activate their e-mail accounts. 

Old with the New

The James E. Morrow Library may have had most of its materials removed from it when the Drinko Library was completed last October but the old library is far from forgotten. 

Brooks said the Morrow library is fully functional. Government documents are stored there as well as older periodical titles. 

"People are preferring it because it’s a lot quieter than this library," Brooks said. "It’s going to be renovated soon. It’s still a very pleasant place to be." 

One question that may arise is why there are empty shelves at the Drinko Library. Brooks said room has to be left free for new materials every year. 

"What we brought to this collection is the current circulation collection," Brooks said. 

The Drinko Library has the last five years of current periodical titles. 

"We do have a nice materials budget that’s increasing," Brooks said. "We’re going to be adding materials every year." 

The Drinko Library has designated areas for photocopies, overhead scanners, printers and color printers and scanners. 

More than 200 laptop ports and nearly 800 ports are provided throughout the building. More than 250 workstations and notebook computers are available. 

Also, for late night snackers pastries, coffee and other drinks are offered at the library’s cafe. 
 
 

back