As an undergrad I did my best to avoid visiting my nemesis, the dreaded Harold B Lee Library. I put off library trips as long as possible and when I did venture inside, I kept my visits brief. On such visits, I usually experienced great frustration in two areas: searching the library catalog online and searching the actual book shelves. I always had trouble finding useful resources in my online search because the library site is not very user-friendly, and I always had even more trouble locating any potentially useful resources on the shelves because, well, they were never where they were supposed to be. Inevitably, the book I most wanted to check out was not on its designated shelf--even though the computer said it was checked in and available. Additionally, I found it difficult to study in the library because most of the chairs are hard and food is not allowed. (Now I realize that experts say you should not sit in soft chairs or eat while you study, but when I have I ever listened experts?) Also, I get just a little nervous every time I walk through the library security scanners. Also, I can never find a computer in the library. Also, when I do find a computer, it is next to someone who smells weird or is talking on their cell phone. Also I have no sense of direction and since the library is really big, I get lost there sometimes. Also, the library is cold, and therefore depressing to me.
However, in my first semester of graduate school, the HBLL has been phenomenally useful. Every time I go there, I find not only the book I am looking for, but several other books excellent books on the nearby shelves. I usually leave with two bags full of treasures, AND because I'm a graduate student, I get to keep them for three whole months. So I have forgiven the HBLL for the previous years of torture, and we are becoming very good friends. (I even spent a few hours studying there a few weeks ago, and discovered that on a Saturday afternoon, during a football game, the library is quite empty and nice to be in.)
My current stack of library fun (minus three volumes which were hidden in my room):
So, now that I'm friends with the library, research papers are much easier. Between the library and Google Scholar (love it), I'm pretty well set.
So, now that I'm friends with the library, research papers are much easier. Between the library and Google Scholar (love it), I'm pretty well set.
2 comments:
I am so vitally offended by your library sentiments. However much I avoided HBLL during my undergrad years...
I LOVE RESEARCH!! (I know, sometimes I sicken myself!)
When Blake was working on his masters at Ball State, he ended up with, I swear, most of the library checked out and sitting in piles around our tiny apartment. They had this deal where you could check things out for an ENTIRE YEAR. He was in book love, I tell you! Finally I was able to convince him to move them to his campus office. When it came time to graduate and actually turn everything in, I helped him, and it took us about an hour and a bazillion trips between his office and the car and the car and the library. I think by then he had about 300 books checked out. Good heavens!
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