Ava C. Green, Editor-in-Chief
The Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library is often one of the most bustling spots on Canisius’s campus. Still, many students are unaware that they’ve only scratched the surface of the things that the library offers. From one-on-one research sessions with staff to shovels from their “tool library,” the library is your one-stop shop for a successful semester.
The librarians — like Matt Kochan, access services coordinator, and Lisa Sullivan, a collection services librarian — are responsible for purchasing and organizing content. What they think less students know is that they can also request one-on-one time with a librarian to help them locate and interpret that content. You can find the “Book a librarian” form by visiting the library’s website, going to the “Services" tab, selecting “Student Services" and then clicking “Book a Librarian.”
“Still, not many people use it,” said Kochan.
“But once they find out about it, they start to book us a lot!” Sullivan added.
Checking a book out online is as easy as picking it out and bringing it up to the front desk in person; the library’s website holds an even wider array of books, articles and videos that can all be searched and accessed by students under the “Find” tab on their site. Sullivan and Kochan encourage students who are rightfully overwhelmed by the library’s impressive volume of content to book a librarian or to just stop by the front desk.
“We’re here to help,” said Kochan, advocating for the use of library resources. “Any time you come in, we’ll do our damndest to get you what you need.”
Sometimes all a student needs is some peace and quiet. The library is set up to have each of its three levels cater toward different levels of noise. Chatter is most acceptable on the main floor, with the bottom floor being more of a whispering zone and the silent floor at the very top.
For times when that isn’t enough, each floor has private rooms that students can reserve for themselves or groups, also located under “Student Services” on the library’s website. There are spaces like the Cura Personalis Room and a prayer room for those in need of a mindful break.
Kochan and Sullivan stress the importance of student feedback when it comes to their development of resources like these rooms or “Book a Librarian.” The Curriculum Center was also created specifically with education students in mind — the center is stocked with books and materials that were picked out by Sullivan. With her degree in education, the array of books were picked thoughtfully for students that work with kids K-12. They can check out these books and even bring them to classrooms.
Unbeknownst to this writer, students can also check out practical items, from dry erase markers to use on the whiteboards around the library to a full tool kit for anyone unequipped for a last-minute Ikea project. Whether you're stopping in on the way to class to staple your paper together or cozying up to one of the library’s desktop computers for a late night of studying, Bouwhuis has it all.
“Your tuition pays for this stuff, so it's for you to use,” said Matt Kochan.
Librarians hope that the success of these student-centered resources will motivate students to make their voices heard and let their needs be met. You can leave a thought in the suggestion box at the front desk or send an email directly to library@canisius.edu.