Libraries carrying the stigma of uptight staff, zero tolerance for socialization, rules banning food and beverages, and dusty old books have become a thing of the past.

The old books are still there, minus the dust, along with a staff that is eager to help students do whatever they come to the library for, whether that is research or relaxing in a lounge or the coffee shop.

Over the last decade, some major changes have taken place inside Golda Meir Library at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. New resources such a digital collection and a 24-hour librarian chat-line have made the library more accessible and easy to use.

Additions such as The Grind coffee shop have made the library a place to take a break from schoolwork or a laid-back place for studying.

“The library has evolved as a place,” said Vanaja Menon, now in her seventh year as assistant director of libraries.

“It has become really welcoming and friendly,” Menon said. “We try to listen to the students and see what we can do to make it better and easier to use.”

Alexis Ronsmans, a junior Letters and Sciences undergraduate student, works at the library.

“I had never made it past the lobby before I was hired,” Ronsmans said. “Once, the library was just a big scary building in the middle of campus. I didn’t know about the music library, complete with CDs, LPs, musical scores and biographies of everybody’s favorite dead punk rock stars.”

The library’s goal is to be a place students enjoy coming to and benefit from its many services.

“The whole building is wireless … we’re going to have laptops available to be borrowed at no charge to the students later this semester,” said Ewa Barczyk, interim director of libraries. Barczyk has been working for the library for about 20 years.

Joni Winfield, a senior majoring in information sciences, works in the current periodicals section of the library. Winfield is returning after about 20 years out of school.

“The library has changed tremendously since I attended school,” Winfield said. “I was around back in the days where you would open the little wooden cabinet drawers with the little white cards in them.”

Winfield is thankful for the Internet and how much easier it has made using the library since her first undergraduate experience.

“When it came to finding research materials, you just looked under the subject and hoped for the best,” Winfield said. “There was little or no computer usage, and as a student, you sure didn’t have access to them.

“The ability to use the Internet has me very spoiled. The PantherCat catalogs, combined with the free computer research offered in the library, have been very important tools in my research efforts.”

Golda Meir Library intern Gretchen Peterson, a master’s of library and information science student, said that as much as libraries are changing, some constants remain.

“Many library users, especially new students, find that the library is overwhelming and have some anxiety about the library just from walking in the door,” she said. “This is where the skills of the library staff can really make a difference.”

Peterson said that the library’s professional staff provides guidance and support for students to help them make sense out of a maze of information. Peterson said that the helping role of a librarian will always remain and is one of their most important roles.

“As library resources move more towards being internet-based, this helping role will become even more necessary,” Peterson said.

Barczyk, the interim director, said that the popularity of Google and how easy it is to use has affected library operations and its Web site’s format, making them easier to navigate.

Another benefit of the internet’s ever-increasing role in the library is that it has created what Menon calls “a library without walls.” The library’s resources are available from anywhere with internet access.

However, this has not decreased the student presence in the library.

“The library itself is still a destination place,” Barczyk said. “There’s actually been an increase in students.”

Ronsmans, an undergraduate student, likes the library’s extensive media collection, which contains thousands of DVDs and tapes. Many popular movies are available, including “Kill Bill” Vols. 1 and 2.

“For materials not at the Golda Meir Library, you can order books from other Wisconsin universities and have them sent to the circulation desk,” Ronsmans said. They usually arrive within a few days.

“I’ve also learned about all the important details, like soft places to take a nap … the coffee shop, used book sales, quiet places to study, places to study with friends, tutors and magazines,” Ronsmans said. “Not to mention the library is free. We’re better than Barnes and Noble.

“When I can’t afford to buy every novel assigned, when my wireless Internet disappears into thin air, and when all I need in the world is to sit somewhere and listen to Bob Marley on head phones bigger than I can afford, I have the library,” Ronsmans said.

> Comments