10 Replies to “First Library Visit: Academic Library J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Parham Library”
Tiffany,
When I first read your post and your mention of a “library of things” I did not understand what you meant. I had to reread at least twice and click on the link you provided before I understood. “Library of Things” is a clever phrase they’ve come up with over there at Reynolds! It is obvious that the librarians there were mindful of their students’ needs when they developed this system of checking out headphones, laptops, calculators, chargers and DVDs.
I love that there is a stationary cycle in the library! I did not see that at any of my library visits. I wonder if it is frequently used?
I can not believe that there is no restroom in the library! It completely surprised me when I read that in your post. That is certainly one area of potential improvement for the library in the future.
Thanks for the feedback. I put “library of things” in quotes so maybe that will make it clearer. I thought that was a neat idea too! And yes, I think they looked at student needs when coming up with the category and what would be available. Some of those items are pricy! I did not see anyone on the stationary cycle when I went but it was in the morning and not very busy. I thought it was a great idea too. Get a little exercise while you read something. It was by the windows overlooking the wooded area too, so great view! They did have signs about restroom being located outside of the 2nd floor but yes, that surprised me too, that there was not one in the library. I think they should but that is just me. It is definitely a library that caters to its clientele, students though.
Tiffany,
My first visit was also an academic library. I like that you bring up from the Rubin and Rubin text that JSRRC sets up its space for student success and collaboration. This is something I noticed during my academic library visit as well. I may be a little biased as I was a peer tutor in college, but tutoring centers are so important to helping students to succeed in college. Not only does it help the student that requested the tutoring, but it can further solidify content for the tutor as well. It really does make sense that academic libraries are homes to these tutoring centers.
Amy, I remember from your academic library post you were a peer tutor. I do think tutoring centers are so important to helping students succeed in college. And JSRCC definitely emphasizes it. And yes, I definitely saw spaces for collaborate and study in my visit and I think that’s also important for students to have those spaces.
Your description of the JSRCC campus library mirrored my experience visiting a community college library in my town. Like you, I noticed details that support the idea that community colleges are spaces for teaching and learning without the emphasis on research expected at large universities. I appreciate this difference since I believe the students that attend these institutions may require different supports or have different interests. I am also struck by the availability of “things” that are provided by libraries now. A library is a wonderful place indeed where you can borrow a calculator or headphones if you need them!
Jennifer, I definitely did see where JSRCC Parham campus was very student service focused. I really liked the model. And yes, I love the library of things! Especially for students who are low income and possibly trying to save by going to community college, being able to use things at the library has to be a great resource. Especially if it is an item that will be used in only one class. The calculators are very expensive. I like how libraries are responding to that need.
The Parham Library at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College sounds really interesting! I love that the “Library of Things” features all very practical items for students. The majority of LoT I have seen feature more hobby-like equipment, which I don’t feel would reach as large of an audience at a community college versus a public library where the library use is much more casual overall.
Another other thing I enjoyed about this library included the quote that is featured from the Richmond Times Dispatch. Additionally, I was inspired by the design of their website, from the front page event calendar and their Maker Space web page layout. I am in the process of building the library website for my school, and this webpage helped me consider what I need to have included.
Your description of the atmosphere that this library is creating with the “emphasis on tutoring, periodicals, many computers, many chairs, tables, etc. that are designed for study/work” reminds me of my own community college library experience (Tidewater Community College). When I was attending, I was commuting to the Virginia Beach campus from Norfolk and working on the other side of Virginia Beach, so it was imperative that the library space was conducive to studying for long periods of time in between classes and work.
I was disappointed to hear about the restroom situation! One of the biggest factors in choosing a study space for myself is having access to a restroom. I wonder if this has to do with the age of the building, or if it was an intentional choice of some sort?
Thank you for sharing your observations of this library with us!
-Allison
The JSRCC Parham Library definitely seemed to be setup for students. I was impressed at all the work spaces and collaborative spaces. The bike still impresses me. I am not sure what was up with the bathroom situation. They did have signs in quite a few places, saying that the bathroom was outside the library on the second floor. It seemed odd to me.
I love reading academic library blog posts because they feel familiar to me. Although each academic library is very different, they are united by their mission of serving college students. The library that I work in also has a “library of things” (Beyond Books for us) as well as the stationary bike desks. I think that things like this are so helpful to college students who are not only looking for a place to study, but also looking for a safe haven away from their dorms or between classes.
The bathroom situation is definitely not ideal. However, in the first community college I attended, they also had a similar issue that was a result of the building’s age. It was a two story building and women’s restrooms were on one floor and men’s on the other. Not the most convenient setup, but we made do as I’m sure these students do.
Oh, that is so neat that you have Beyond Books and the stationary bikes! I thought the stationary bike was such a great idea to read while you were “biking.” I do think it is very helpful that there are so many spaces to study and collaborative areas. I am not sure why the bathroom is set up like that. Thinking maybe it was due to addon but am not sure how the buildings came about. It was just odd to me.
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Tiffany,
When I first read your post and your mention of a “library of things” I did not understand what you meant. I had to reread at least twice and click on the link you provided before I understood. “Library of Things” is a clever phrase they’ve come up with over there at Reynolds! It is obvious that the librarians there were mindful of their students’ needs when they developed this system of checking out headphones, laptops, calculators, chargers and DVDs.
I love that there is a stationary cycle in the library! I did not see that at any of my library visits. I wonder if it is frequently used?
I can not believe that there is no restroom in the library! It completely surprised me when I read that in your post. That is certainly one area of potential improvement for the library in the future.
Thanks for the feedback. I put “library of things” in quotes so maybe that will make it clearer. I thought that was a neat idea too! And yes, I think they looked at student needs when coming up with the category and what would be available. Some of those items are pricy! I did not see anyone on the stationary cycle when I went but it was in the morning and not very busy. I thought it was a great idea too. Get a little exercise while you read something. It was by the windows overlooking the wooded area too, so great view! They did have signs about restroom being located outside of the 2nd floor but yes, that surprised me too, that there was not one in the library. I think they should but that is just me. It is definitely a library that caters to its clientele, students though.
Tiffany,
My first visit was also an academic library. I like that you bring up from the Rubin and Rubin text that JSRRC sets up its space for student success and collaboration. This is something I noticed during my academic library visit as well. I may be a little biased as I was a peer tutor in college, but tutoring centers are so important to helping students to succeed in college. Not only does it help the student that requested the tutoring, but it can further solidify content for the tutor as well. It really does make sense that academic libraries are homes to these tutoring centers.
Amy, I remember from your academic library post you were a peer tutor. I do think tutoring centers are so important to helping students succeed in college. And JSRCC definitely emphasizes it. And yes, I definitely saw spaces for collaborate and study in my visit and I think that’s also important for students to have those spaces.
Your description of the JSRCC campus library mirrored my experience visiting a community college library in my town. Like you, I noticed details that support the idea that community colleges are spaces for teaching and learning without the emphasis on research expected at large universities. I appreciate this difference since I believe the students that attend these institutions may require different supports or have different interests. I am also struck by the availability of “things” that are provided by libraries now. A library is a wonderful place indeed where you can borrow a calculator or headphones if you need them!
Jennifer, I definitely did see where JSRCC Parham campus was very student service focused. I really liked the model. And yes, I love the library of things! Especially for students who are low income and possibly trying to save by going to community college, being able to use things at the library has to be a great resource. Especially if it is an item that will be used in only one class. The calculators are very expensive. I like how libraries are responding to that need.
Tiffany,
The Parham Library at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College sounds really interesting! I love that the “Library of Things” features all very practical items for students. The majority of LoT I have seen feature more hobby-like equipment, which I don’t feel would reach as large of an audience at a community college versus a public library where the library use is much more casual overall.
Another other thing I enjoyed about this library included the quote that is featured from the Richmond Times Dispatch. Additionally, I was inspired by the design of their website, from the front page event calendar and their Maker Space web page layout. I am in the process of building the library website for my school, and this webpage helped me consider what I need to have included.
Your description of the atmosphere that this library is creating with the “emphasis on tutoring, periodicals, many computers, many chairs, tables, etc. that are designed for study/work” reminds me of my own community college library experience (Tidewater Community College). When I was attending, I was commuting to the Virginia Beach campus from Norfolk and working on the other side of Virginia Beach, so it was imperative that the library space was conducive to studying for long periods of time in between classes and work.
I was disappointed to hear about the restroom situation! One of the biggest factors in choosing a study space for myself is having access to a restroom. I wonder if this has to do with the age of the building, or if it was an intentional choice of some sort?
Thank you for sharing your observations of this library with us!
-Allison
The JSRCC Parham Library definitely seemed to be setup for students. I was impressed at all the work spaces and collaborative spaces. The bike still impresses me. I am not sure what was up with the bathroom situation. They did have signs in quite a few places, saying that the bathroom was outside the library on the second floor. It seemed odd to me.
Hi Tiffany,
I love reading academic library blog posts because they feel familiar to me. Although each academic library is very different, they are united by their mission of serving college students. The library that I work in also has a “library of things” (Beyond Books for us) as well as the stationary bike desks. I think that things like this are so helpful to college students who are not only looking for a place to study, but also looking for a safe haven away from their dorms or between classes.
The bathroom situation is definitely not ideal. However, in the first community college I attended, they also had a similar issue that was a result of the building’s age. It was a two story building and women’s restrooms were on one floor and men’s on the other. Not the most convenient setup, but we made do as I’m sure these students do.
Oh, that is so neat that you have Beyond Books and the stationary bikes! I thought the stationary bike was such a great idea to read while you were “biking.” I do think it is very helpful that there are so many spaces to study and collaborative areas. I am not sure why the bathroom is set up like that. Thinking maybe it was due to addon but am not sure how the buildings came about. It was just odd to me.