How to Make the Most of Your Library

Your librarian can be a vital ally for success in graduate school.

           In an earlier post, I discussed self-sufficiency as a barrier to motivation in graduate school. We all need help, and finding the right support can make the time you spend in your little corner of academia more productive — and more fun. This post will introduce one of the most helpful resources available to graduate students (and really, anyone at any academic level) – your library. And the most helpful resource in the whole library is, of course, the librarian. I sat down with two friends, Megan and Leslie, who are both librarians at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. They gave me the inside scoop on how graduate students should be using their library.

The Main Point: Use Your Library

“Librarians are very good at what they do,” said Megan. “They are not very good at promotion.” What that means is that graduate students are often not using the library as effectively as they could be. Megan told me about a friend of her sister’s, who was spending hours hand-entering data from old census records. Megan “poked around for a few hours,” figured out that the records already existed in a federal government repository, and sent the student to talk to the librarian at her institution.

“She probably could have saved herself 10 or 20 hours if she had talked to a librarian at the beginning,” Megan said.

Many students (and faculty) have only a fuzzy idea of what resources exist or what librarians do all day.

“I never have one day that looks the same,” said Leslie.  “In my position, I’m either doing instruction, working in the makerspace, creating social media posts, processing stuff for institutional repository,  working at the reference desk. I collaborate with a lot of people on campus for different things.”

So, librarians aren’t just prowling through the stacks and dusting the books?

“That’s what we have student workers for,” said Leslie.

Okay, so libraries are important and librarians can be helpful. How, specifically, should graduate students use these resources?

Your Librarian Is a Brainstorming Partner and a Searching Expert

Megan’s advice to graduate students is to reach out to the library “wherever they get stuck.” Maybe you are doing a systematic literature review and can’t find as many sources as you need. Maybe you can’t find anything relevant to your research question. Libraries have access to multiple databases, and they each contain different resources and may work a little differently. You will likely have to run your search in more than one database to find what you need. Librarians can help with brainstorming search terms and managing the idiosyncrasies of various databases.

“You guys are experts in your subject matter; I am an expert at searching,” said Megan. “If your knowledge isn’t getting you where you need to go, I might be able to help you.”

To get the most out of a meeting with a librarian, give them a heads-up about what you are researching and what you need help with.

“If they are coming in for research help, sending as much information ahead of time as possible helps us expedite the process,” said Leslie. “If we have a little bit of lead time, we can look some stuff up.”

Beyond Databases: Your Librarian Can Help You Find Resources

“Librarians love to find things for free for everyone,” said Megan. If you are looking for a particular kind of resource – a primary source, a rare book, an elusive article – ask a librarian. Some items may not be available to lend, but “You would be very surprised at what libraries can scan or have scanned,” she said.

Megan pointed out that graduate students looking for older items may need to learn how to use microform technology. Many old newspapers and other documents are still stored on microfiche or microfilm. A librarian can help get you started with these new skills.

Additionally, most libraries are part of a resource-sharing consortium. That means that graduate students have easy access to sources from across the region. Most university libraries also have systems in place to get materials from around the country or around the world.

“Ask: Does this exist? Does it exist at another library? Do I have to pay to have access?” Megan said.

Non-Print Resources: Your Library Has You Covered

Photo by Shunya Koide on Unsplash

Most university libraries have much more to offer than books and print databases. Sometimes, these resources can help with your overall wellbeing. “To be well-rounded, students need to take breaks, too,” said Megan.

Your library may have board games, bikes, self-care kits, umbrellas, and other useful items to help with overall student wellness. Additionally, most libraries have a Makerspace, with access to 3D printers and other tools such as Cricuts or button-making supplies.

“OT students, athletic training students can use the Makerspace to create aids for exercise or in-home therapy,” said Megan.

Leslie added, “You might use Makerspace if you have a side hustle and need swag.”

Libraries may also have text sets that education students can use with their classes or chemical model kits that could be helpful in lab courses. Look on your library website to see what other non-print resources might be available.

How to Talk to A Librarian

By now, you are probably convinced that you need to pay a visit to your campus library (either virtually or in person). But you may be unsure how to approach the librarian. Aren’t they busy with other things? What if they laugh at my ignorance?

“Always ask for help. That’s what we’re here for,” said Leslie.

“You can talk to us as people too,” suggested Megan. “Maybe ask ‘What are your top five favorite books?’ Then launch into your research questions.”

Back to the Beginning: Use Your Library

Making friends with a librarian is one of the smartest things you can do in your graduate career. Librarians can save you time, money, and struggle, and provide vital support for your research. They can probably give you some good book recommendations, too.

“Come talk to us,” said Megan. “We do not believe that there are any dumb questions. Don’t suffer in silence.”

Graduate Success Coaching

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