Snapshots of Brown: Libraries
Do you ever wonder what it’s like to live at Brown? What do students do? What do they see? Well, let Snapshots of Brown with Emorie Beck give you a taste of what student groups, classes, and historical scenery (the best kind) are really like. No planes, trains, or automobiles required.
On almost every college tour, there is one building that is always highlighted. It is generally stressed as vitally important but why is rarely clear. Its seeming importance will have you checking these out on every visit, comparing them to others.
This might seem like a useless endeavor, but your college-aged tour guide is doing you a favor. This building might be your lifeline at certain times of year. I’ll reveal the building and explain why it’s really important after the jump!
So, welcome to finals in college. I’m sure you are all more than sufficiently afraid of college finals, so I want you to know that finals ARE manageable, especially with a few hints and tips.
And that brings me to the building stressed on every campus tour—the library. In my opinion, half of the stress of finals or more is unfounded or self-perpetuated. Ding your reading and assignments all semester and having a positive (and realistic) view of your own self-worth can combat this, though.
But just in case you can’t do that, that’s what the library is for.
And I’m not just going to tell you why the library becomes vital in college. I’m also going to tell you why Brown has the best libraries that are tailored to provide all the needs of Brown students.
To show you let’s talk about the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library (“The Rock” in Brownspeak). The Rock is the main teaching and research library for the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. I know, Rockefeller Libraries are a dime a dozen. Most will see several on various tours, but each is different. Then there is the Sciences Library (“The Sci Li in Brownspeak). It houses collections serving Medicine, Psychology, Neural Science, Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, and Pure and Applied Mathematics departments of the university.
Here are a few ways that Brown provides a sane space for students:
Quiet Study Rooms: Both of the libraries have general study areas that are frequently used for quiet of collaborative study. In addition, each has designated quiet rooms, where talking is not allowed. This is a favorite of the overly stressed college students heading into finals. Think you’ll never need it? Maybe you won’t. But maybe you’ll want it. Or maybe you will have a bad day and need a place to clear your head. Regardless, it is comforting to know that it is there.
Café Carts: Study marathon? No problem. Refuel at one of the “café carts” in the library lobbies. And don’t be fooled by the name. These “carts” don’t move; they are more like cafés. Each has sandwiches, cereal, sushi, salads, granola bars, yogurt, fruit, bagels, pastries, cookies, muffins, soda, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, juice, milk, chips, pretzels, and candy. Whether you are working through dinner or just need a pick me up, they have what you need.
Online Tracking of Available Computers: Laptop not working? Don’t have a laptop? Just want to use a different computer? Need to use a program that you don’t have? No problem. The Sci Li has 67 Dells and 10 iMacs. The Rock has 63 Dells and 7 iMacs. And I can tell you from experience that there are always some available. (Plus, in addition to these, there are other computer clusters around campus.)
Printing Stations: Don’t want to have a printer in your room? Out of ink? Every Brown student gets $30 free in printing to use at any of the print stations on campus, some of which are at the libraries. The Sci Li and the Rock each have 5 laser printers and a color printer.
Comfortable, Variable Seating: Whether you want a desk, an arm chair, a couch, or types of seating that I don’t even know the names of, the libraries have them open for you.
Long Hours: It’s 3 AM and you, for whatever reason, are awake and want / need to study. Too bad? Nope. Swipe your ID at either library and in you go! The libraries have 24 hour swipe access for students. The Sci Li is usually open until 2 AM, and the Rock is usually open until midnight. But remember, you won’t be kicked out / locked out after hours.
Before I let you go, I promised to explain why libraries become important in college when they don’t matter as much in high school. Honestly, it all comes down to the fact that you live here. You control your own time, and the university accommodates that. If you want to study only at night, you can. It’s the freedom of college that makes libraries important.
I just want to reiterate again that you should not be scared of finals. You are more than capable of handling them. One important aspect of college is the transition to independence. You have to use this in order plan well and prepare yourself for what is coming.
See you all soon! And keep reading! (because it’s the best thing in the world, and I am not letting anyone dispute that!)
Want to know about a specific type of group or classes? Want to see if we have a certain kind of building or scenery that matches your heart’s desire? Have some questions? Email me at emorie_beck@brown.edu or leave a comment below!
