December 2007 Archives

The Elusive User: Changing Use Patterns in Academic Libraries 1995 to 2004 Charles Martell has data that is a bit out of date and not that surprising: cost of journals WAY UP and electronic use UP (exceptions: circulation in Ivy League libraries has gone UP, reference transactions at Columbia UP). There is a great final quote in the conclusion, from another reference, "Among the most critical [frontiers for librarians to explore] are those that facilitate interaction between the virtual user and the library professional." I believe this is a great endorsement for all the Web 2.0, chat, and other related efforts of librarians.

If you are someone who feels guilty about playing Guitar Hero at ALA Conventions, then you may also wonder what role video games could have in an academic library. In many cases, as in most public libraries, the goal is to get students into the library with programming involving video games. But from the latest State of the Libraries by our Dean, we have plenty of students using the library so that isn't a high priority goal.

But what about a study break? Something to reduce stress during finals and other study time the students are spending in the library. Three separate articles from the Collegian Magazine today all evoked the need for this.

About winter break "[I'm] taking a well deserved rest from ... all-nighters in the library"

The entire article Students' study habits go beyond coffee craze about studying in the library

And finally Study: Americans shying from books (with a precious quote from our own Steven Herb) about the lack of reading for pleasure.

All of these cried out to me that students see the library as a place of stress, an almost necessary evil of studying. We have a responsibility to help students find a way to manage their stress and a video game study break could be a great start.