Library encourages student use of new amenities

The library recently installed four new flat-paneled television screens, funded by student technology fees, in four different study rooms.

“We wanted to make a more collaborative learning environment,” said Kell Carpenter, the library’s technical assistant. “(The televisions) are less intrusive and leave more room for groups.”

According to Carpenter, the flat-paneled televisions are an upgrade from the previous televisions that occupied the study rooms.

Two of the four televisions also include media equipment, such as VCR, DVD and record players. The equipment was added as a means to utilize the various media the library offers to students, such as VHS tapes and vinyl records.

Students can also plug their laptops up to the new televisions for use as external monitors, offering a much more collaborative group working environment.

Faye Heal, the interim coordinator of Access Services, proposed the upgrade.

“We thought it was important to utilize the space and offer more resources to students and the Student Technology Fees Committee agreed,” Heal said.

The television upgrades are just the first step in making the library a more appealing place for students.

“We want to encourage people to come here not because they have to, but because there are a lot of resources available to them,” Carpenter said.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Library and Instructional Technology Center, the LITC and Access Services have concluded that students are generally unaware of most of the services they offer. In addition to the computer labs, multimedia editing lab, study rooms, and book, periodical and newspaper checkout, the LITC offers inexpensive faxing and laminating as well as access to services such as GIL Express, Interlibrary Loan, and Library Express. These services allow Georgia College students to request media, and library staff will locate it for them either from Georgia College’s own library or other libraries in the state or country, free of charge.

Additionally, there are 13 laptops available for checkout at Access Services and the Instructional Technology Center offers technology equipment checkout as well, including iPads, digital cameras, voice recorders and more.

Sophomore psychology major Brent Osborne works in the LITC and, contrary to the LITC’s recent survey results, said he sees a steady stream of students checking out equipment.

“We really try to let people know the services we offer,” Osborne said. “We even went out on the shuttles one day with some of the equipment and showed students how it worked while telling them about the checkout procedure.”

The LITC plans to continue to gauge how to promote their lesser-known services.