GCSU library adds several new features

GCSU’s Library and Instructional Technology Center is now adding wireless printing, a presentation practice room and Library Express to its list of student services.

In the fall of 2009, the library saw a need for a place where students could practice their presentations. The room also needed to have the same equipment as the classrooms students would be presenting in. Paid for by student technology fees, the new presentation practice room is located in the music and media area on the third floor of the library.

“We asked for a system that would be identical to what students would find in the classroom as far as the software on the computer, the way the projector works, the panel on the wall and everything like that,” Sonny McKenzie, a client technical support specialist, said.

Students can check out the room’s key at the circulation desk and use the room for up to two hours. The room key is considered part of the library reserve, and like most of the library’s reserve, it must be returned to the circulation desk within two hours. If the key is not returned, there is a replacement cost of $100.

Dimitri Kavelakis, a senior math major, recalled having to go off campus for group study sessions because the library was full.

“(The presentation practice room) would have helped definitely. I wish we had had it,” Kavelakis said.

While there has been talk about adding SMART Boards and projectors in other rooms, but there is nothing in the works as of right now, according to McKenzie.

Another new feature students may have noticed is wireless printing. In January, the pay-for-print system’s server was upgraded with the ability to have wireless printing. Since January, the library was busy testing the printer and creating instructions to help students download and install the driver for their computer.

When students go to use the wireless printing, they will have three printer options: HP, Lexmark or color.

“If you print to an HP printer, your print job will be at any HP printer on campus,” McKenzie said. “If you print over here, walk over there, swipe your card, it will be available.”

Yet, wireless printing is not just a new library feature; it is a campus-wide initiative. Students could pick up their print job at any pay-for-print area, such as Arts & Sciences. A print job will stay on the system for two hours.

Gabby Mobley, a freshman nursing major, has been curious to use the wireless printing.

“I think it’s a good service because sometimes when you come in here looking for a computer, you can’t always find one. So when you have your own laptop, it’s really convenient to sit at another table and be able to connect to it to print off the things you need,” Mobley said.

Within the last month, the library also opened its Library Express service to undergraduate students. Up until then, the service was only offered to graduate students as well as GCSU faculty, administration and staff. Library Express is a free service in which students can have articles in the library system sent to them electronically.

“Basically, if you have a citation of an article that you need, just fill out an interlibrary loan request and we find it,” Library Associate Faye Heal said.

In order for students to get the articles to them, they must first submit the desired article’s citation. Requests can be submitted through the library’s homepage by clicking the link for interlibrary loans under “my library accounts.” First-time users will need to create an account before submitting their requests. Requests will be delivered within two business days.

“You get a good citation and we’ll track it down,” Heal said. “We have wonderful resources here and what we don’t have here we can get for you. We want to help students get all the information they could possibly need.”

Posted by Allison Bramlett on Apr 16 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry