The academic library I visited was Grafton Library which is the library for Mary Baldwin University, my alma mater, which is located in Staunton, Va. I used this library significantly throughout my years at Mary Baldwin, and it was a great library. I always used their online resources and there were plenty to use. Even as a graduate, I can use their library and one of the librarians at Grafton, David Black, told me the library is open to the public.
While navigating the website for the library, I was able to see what the library offers, who the staff are, and search their GLYDYS toolbar for the library’s catalog. There is a research tab that allows the users to look through JSTOR, EBSCO Allsearch, Project Muse, Academic Video online, ScienceDirect, and other databases. There is also subject guides that help students navigate through different databases to help them get the resources they need for whatever subject they’re taking. There are also research tools that help students find journals, Research FAQs and citation help as well.
Another useful tab on the website is the spaces tab and it mentions the different areas and spaces that students may use to study that are located within the library. There is a group study room on the Mezzanine floor that students can go to. There is a computer lab with 24 computers that is used for instruction but is also available to students when there aren’t any classes happening. There is a meeting room called the Reigner room that is located on the Mezzanine floor as well, and again, it can be used by any student as long as it’s not being used by other departments and classes.
The library collection is really great, especially their journal resources. Not only do they have a lot of academic eBooks, books, journals, and other materials for students, but they have regular novels that students and alumni can check out and they kind of remind me of a public library as well as an academic library.Academic libraries are so important to students and studies show that “students who use the library in some way achieve higher levels of academic success (e.g., GPA, course grades, retention) than students who did not use the library” (Rubin & Rubin, 2020). The Grafton Library is a great resource for the students at Mary Baldwin, and for alumni, like me, who continue to use it for research and other school necessities. I really enjoyed visiting the Grafton library, and it was nice to talk about a library that helped me so much in my academic journey.
References
Mary Baldwin University Martha S. Grafton Library. https://libguides.marybaldwin.edu/home-new
Rubin, R. E., & Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science. American Library Association.
Like you, I’ve noticed that a lot of academic and school libraries are really just like public libraries but they serve a smaller, more specific group of people. All three types tend to have fiction, non-fiction, reference, and periodicals sections. But the collection in the school and academic libraries is more selective and tailored to the audience. It’s great that Mary Baldwin’s librarians have created a collection that supports the whole student, not just their academics.
Hi Brittany,
This looks like such a beautiful library. I love that they offer a little of everything for the students, alumni, and the public. One of my close friends actually went to Mary Baldwin as well.