DAN QUAGLIANA
Staff Writer
Reed Library, named for former United States Congressman Daniel A. Reed, is one of the quietest buildings on Fredonia’s campus. But that’s not to say that there isn’t anything happening there.
“One thing we want students to be aware of is that our library offers much more than just books,” said Research and Information Literacy Services Librarian Christina Hilburger.
When doing research for a class, it’s often required that students go beyond the short answers that Google spits out after a search. Reed Library offers students free access to academic and peer-reviewed online databases to use, available through the library’s website, fredonia.edu/library.
Librarians are also available to help with research appointments. During business hours, which are 8:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, students can make appointments to sit down with a research librarian and receive information and feedback about their work.
“We can help students with so many aspects of their research, [such as] identifying appropriate databases, search strategies and keywords. We have so many tips and tricks to make finding information easier!” Hilburger said. “We can even assist students preparing for presentations.”
If students need a librarian’s assistance outside of normal business hours, there’s a 24/7 “chat with a librarian” feature on the website.
“Additionally, we can assist students in citation formatting such as APA, MLA, Chicago, etc., and provide guidance on creating in-text citations and formatting reference lists,” Hilburger said.
In addition, a citation guide is also available on the library’s website.
None of that is to say that Reed Library doesn’t offer plain old books, like any other library.
“Reed Library collects new materials, both in print and electronic formats, from a variety of vendors to support courses and curricula,” said Associate Library Director Scott Richmond. “[We also have] a variety of specialized collections, such as the Graphic Novel Collection and the Super Quick Skills Collection.”
The books in the library’s collection span every genre you can imagine, from nonfiction books covering almost every subject to epic fantasy and science fiction novels. If you can think of it, the library probably has it.
If the library does not have the book you’re looking for, or if it’s checked out by another patron, you can request it from another library. This process is called interlibrary loan, and while it’s not exactly a quick process, it can be incredibly useful. Students can request books, articles, DVDs and pretty much anything in between (for free!) from not only other SUNY libraries, but from public libraries across the country.
“Students can also apply for a Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library Card, and take advantage of the local public libraries in the Village of Fredonia and City of Dunkirk,” Richmond noted.
If you’re looking to do this, the closest public library is the Darwin R. Barker Library, located at 7 Day St. in the village, just south of campus.
The music library, located above the main floor to the left of the circulation desk, has a similarly extensive collection. “We have a ton of books, scores, and recordings based in jazz, folk music, musical theatre and popular music such as rock, hip-hop and R&B. We also provide online access to books, scores, sound/video recordings, articles, and more!” said Interim Music Librarian Katelynn Telford.
For vinyl lovers, there are over 7,000 vinyl records in the music collection, all of which are available to check out or listen to in the library.
“Reed Library is dedicated to representing diverse facets of the field of music,” Telford said. “We make an effort to acquire materials by, for, and about underrepresented groups.”
The music staff also hosts Reed Recitals, where music students can perform in the library and showcase their talents.
If you’re merely looking for a quiet place to study, the library has plenty of those as well. On the main floor, there are three study rooms against the back wall, bordering the Carnahan-Jackson Center, which sits at the rear of the library. In the music library, there’s a larger study room for group study sessions.
Speaking of the Carnahan-Jackson Center, there’s a wealth of resources available there as well.
Special Collections & Archives, located on the first floor, has some of the most interesting artifacts available on campus in its collection. Some of the Signature Collections in the archives are the papers of Austrian writer Stefan Zweig and world-renowned saxophonist Sigurd Raschèr.
Aside from the Signature Collections, the University Collections provide a glimpse of SUNY Fredonia’s history and development, beginning with the Fredonia Academy in 1826. The Local & Regional History collections show both the development of this area of Western N.Y. and “slice of life” perspectives from people living in the area over the past three centuries.
“We also house a really excellent art collection and an assortment of rare music volumes,” said Coordinator of Special Collections & Archives Mandi Shepp. “We are happy to help you explore the wacky world of specialized primary source research during your time at Fredonia.”
On the fourth floor of the Carnahan-Jackson Center lies the Tutoring Services and the Academic Advising Services. If you’re having trouble with a class or subject, student tutors specializing in almost every subject are available every weekday to help you learn the material. Academic advisors are available for both drop-in and scheduled appointments, not only to help students select their classes for upcoming semesters but also to help guide career advancement and the development of educational plans, according to their website.
If you’re not looking to learn something at any given time, Reed Library is also just a fun place to hang out with your friends. There’s a board game collection that’s available to anyone who wants to use it, if you need to unwind.
The library also has its own resident therapy dog, Clover. Every few weeks, Clover will make a pre-announced appearance in the library, where she’ll walk around, visit and interact with patrons and generally just be adorable.
If you want to get more involved in the goings-on at the library, there are a few options. Students can apply for a job there, although these positions are usually filled very quickly. When the library is hiring, there will be a notice on the website and flyers will be placed around campus. Don’t hold your breath on this, though — the hiring process starts at the end of the semester.
The library also has an Advisory Council for students to join, which serves as a “channel for communication between students and the library,” according to Hilburger. “The Council’s goal is to extend opportunities for students to engage with the library, provide feedback on improving services, spaces, and collections and offer a channel for discussing issues in the library that have an impact on students.”
While Reed Library might not be one of the loudest or most exciting buildings on campus, it’s certainly one of the most useful ones.
“We believe that libraries are the beating heart of campuses, and ours is no exception,” Hilburger said. “Library anxiety is something that a lot of students struggle with, especially new students. However, I want to emphasize that the Reed Library is a space for YOU. We want you to feel welcome entering the library, utilizing the study spaces, exploring the stacks, and asking questions. We invite you to explore all that our library has to offer and make it your own. We are here to support you throughout your academic journey.”