Thrift Library celebrated National Library Week from April 6th - 12th. This year's theme, which is set by the American Library Association, was "Drawn to the Library." If you stopped by the library you may have noticed bowls of candy and Thrift Library stickers available for visitors. There was also a large white board at the entrance to the library asking students, "What draws you to the library?" The students' responses did not disappoint!
Students come to the library to focus on school work
Unsurprisingly, the most salient theme that emerged from student responses was that they visit the library to focus. Several students responded, saying that were drawn to the library to "lock in" or "to study for a test." Our thoughts and prayers are with the students that wrote that they are drawn to the library because of their "procrastination on three weeks of homework for one class" and "a paper due in 1.4 hours." You've got this!
The library is a place for students to be around other people
Many students noted that they are drawn to the library by friends. Some plan to meet up, but others enjoy bumping into classmates without having to organize it. Students flock to the library to find "solidarity" and, in one case, "the hist/edu majors that keep this STEM major from crashing out!!!" While in the throes of college life, there is a peace that comes with being surrounded by others in the same boat.
The names of some of our student employees were also added to the board. And we get it, Thrift Library's student employees are great!
Other responses included notes about "people watching" and being drawn to the library for the "books and beautiful people." To the student that is drawn to the library by "the cute ladies," you may find some inspiration from the books in February's "Find Love in the Library" collection spotlight.
The library is a "third space" for students
Third spaces are places where people spend time that are not their homes or school/workplace. For many Anderson students, Thrift Library is a favorite third space. Students reported coming to the library because of the good vibes, convenient spaces, and the fact that it was not their dorm or classrooms.
One student is drawn to the library by "the calming environment" and another is drawn because the "vibes are soft and chill," and another because "it is not the interior design studio." Many students said that they come to the library because of the study rooms, power outlets, and whiteboards. The library also serves as a common space ideal for group work. Several students shared that they come to the library to work on group projects.
Third spaces are especially important for students experiencing dorm life. For them, they often need to leave their homes on campus in order to be alone. And sometimes you just need to get out. As one student so eloquently put it, "dorm = sadness, library = not sadness."
Students come to the library to access resources
As one could guess by visiting Thrift Library at any time of day, lots of students stop by to use the printers housed in Thrift. They also use the print books housed in the stacks. "The classic books upstairs," "weird obscure history books," and "the Christian studies books!" (another student added, "not enough of them!") all got shout-outs. Current students, faculty, and staff can suggest new library acquisitions by filling out the New Resource Request Form.
The pull to the library is spiritual
Many students mused that what was drawing them to the library was spiritual in nature. "Jesus!" was a common response (He is always the answer). One student attributed their pull to the library to "the will of God," while another was drawn by their "free choice." Finally, one student responded with "I was predestined to come here."
Students are stressed and the library is here for them
A few students took the opportunity to share their stress. With the end of the semester bearing down on us, it is not surprising that many students feel overwhelmed. A few such responses were, "nobody judges when I cry," "engi-nearing my limit," and "I basically live here at this point so it's like going back home." We are glad that Thrift feels like home, but remember to take care of yourselves!
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