STUDENTS PLAY KEY ROLE IN LIBRARY PLANNING
Thanks to the suggestions of Central University Libraries’ student advisory council, popular SMU library services such as round-the-clock study hours, gourmet coffee machines and a wireless outdoor courtyard were initiated.
The group was formed in 1999 and meets monthly with library staff to discuss library services. Students volunteer to become members.
“They provide a ready and willing volunteer base to participate in library planning,serve on space planning groups and help with the strategic planning process,” says CUL Dean and Director Gillian M.McCombs.“Students from this group have ended up working here as support staff and librarians.”
The student lounge with vending machines, suggestion boxes, longer borrowing periods for media materials and the relocation of media from the Norwick Center for Digital Services to the Fondren Library Center circulation desk also were inspired by the council’s suggestions.
Council members use the libraries in different ways – history major Shelby Justl recently checked out 30 books as resources for a paper. Business major Jessica Robinson rarely checks out books but relies on electronic resources at the Business Information Center. Anthropology major Ben Wells often studies at Fondren at 3 a.m. But all have ideas for library staff.
At a recent meeting, student council members asked that library staff consider “no cell phone zones” in the library, create nearby nighttime parking places and purchase comfortable furniture conducive to long hours of studying. Others suggested placing recycling bins near every printer and adding stand-up computer terminals in high-traffic areas to free terminals for other users.
Students of the generation known for relying on debit cards instead of cash had one other request:“Could we create an emergency fund for printing?”
Most had been stranded at the library printer short on time and cash.They were glad to hear from Tim Silcox, director of public services, that the reference desk saves leftover printer cards and makes them available for emergencies.
