It used to be called Red Square--all that brick--before they added the grass and flowering trees and erected a bell tower in the middle. View from the second floor of the Library in late April at Suffolk Community College in Selden.
Entrance to the Huntington Library, Ammerman Campus. Typical 1960s architecture.
The reference collection (the non-cyber part)
The view from the reference desk at Ammerman Library. Students coming in the front door can't miss us. On the left is the circulation department.
The computer lab, before they rearranged it
The Reading Room at New York Public Library
Another view of same, June '08
[Smithtown Public Library, lower level]Oops, this is actually the Emma Clark Library
4 comments:
Do you see the younger generations are not using the libraries as much because of the internet?
Well, Kristen, the internet is very much a part of every library these days. Students find articles in the many databases we subscribe to, the catalog is online, each student has an email account, registration is all online, and the internet is open to them (except social networking sites)and in constant use. We even have many books online (the e-collection). If you mean, are they checking out fewer physical books, I don't have the statistics on that but I feel there is still a strong demand for our paper-based collections (we're still buying many books), and with the high cost of textbooks we keep many texts on Reserve so they come in to use those instead of buying, and with the huge increase in enrollment we are bursting at the seams for physical space for the students. Sometimes students have to wait awhile for a free computer at the Grant campus library (we have about 24 in the reference room and there are 3 or 4 computer labs across campus with dozens more computers). Plus, more and more students are bringing their laptops into the library for WIFI access. Plus, it's a desirable place for them to hang out and socialize, and there are quiet sections to study in which they can't find anywhere else in our noisy society. We have many middle-aged students as well. Now this is an academic library; kids are here for an education, but public libraries, if they offer up-to-date services, will be busy too. I know mine is always busy with lots of young people. I can't speak about kids who aren't there. I'm sure a lot are at home playing video games.
There isn't the slightest danger of libraries being superseded, in my opinion. People love them.
Oh that is all good information. I must admit, I never to to the library and I was never really very good when I was a kid about knowing how to use those card things, I actually never got it, and once I fell behind, I was always too embarrased to ask for help, I did that a lot, so what I never learned was because I was shy and never spoke up, now I just don't shut up!!
It wouldn't take much for you to pick up some library skills and it's never too late to learn.
BTW, the first four pix , without a student in sight, are not representative. I took them just before closing time on a Friday afternoon.
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