Don't FRO Around

The first time I visited the Newmann Library was during a tour the summer before my junior year of high school. I was with my dad and all I can remember from that visit was my dad’s enamoured reaction. I had probably commented on the sleek interior design, but the lendable laptops and calculators, $100 printing allowance, cheap textbook rentals, and private study rooms had not impressed me. I attribute my underwhelmed reaction to the strange infatuation I had for NYU at the time.

During the second visit (which was at the tour Friday last week) I was much more receptive. It was really sinking in (even before our discussion at seminar) that Google and Wikipedia wouldn’t fly as resources in college, and that some professors would want book references in conjunction to weblinks.  I’d never used a library to find a source for any paper or presentation I’d done in high school. Last time I was in a library for an educational purpose might have been 4th grade. Libraries made me feel like a fish out of water. There were just too many shelves. Too many sections. Too many books. You can’t Ctrl+F and search for key words. And the Dewie Decimal System might as well have been braille. My local library had two floors. Baruch’s had seven. I was terrified.

But I took home with me after that tour a sense that I wouldn’t die looking for sources at the library. And the tour left me the idea that I could probably get work done faster there than at home.

It was true. I’m here now, actually, handwritting this blog entry and finishing up the rest of my homework for the rest of this week. And not only is this place tastefully constructed, it’s comfortable and conducive to a productive environment. I may never do homework at home again.

My first experience with the Baruch library was very surprising because it was not what I was expecting at all. I pictured this library to be much smaller and less high tech.I came to find that it was exactly the opposite of my expectations. To be honest, it has been quite some time now since I have been in a library and it was a relief to know that now I had somewhere where I can go any time and study. The first time I stepped into the library was when I heard that you are able to receive free calculators and that made me extremely happy knowing I don’t have to spend close to a hundred dollars on a calculator and that I can just borrow one.Not only are you allowed to rent calculators, you are also allowed to rent laptops.That can really come in handy when you are trying to write a paper or just do some research.It is a very useful place to form various study groups and do research. I was surprised that you are allowed to “rent” a room for study groups. That is very clever for those who need to communicate in the library and not bother others who are trying to study. I also observed that the library is very clean, and I would enjoy to spend most of my time there.The library has such an environment that it encourages you to study. Overall,I believe that the library will have a tremendous significance in my academic life as a Baruch student.

My first time at Baruch library was not on the tour with my classmates in my freshman seminar class, but with my friends, trying to figure out how to use the computers. The tour was not my second time there either. My first visit there allowed me to familiaize myself with the computers and how to print out the materials I needed for my classes. I found out that each student had $100 to spend on prints per semester and each black and white print was 15cents each. This only made me want to get my own printer working at my dorm and save the money for color prints, which were $1 each.

I do believe the library is a really useful place for students like me who sometimes just want to go to a quiet table and study or read. In the future, I can definitely see myself coming to the library ever so often to print out some last minute materials I might need for that day’s class or rent out a book. I will also be going there a lot to make copies, because I can’t fit a big copy machine in my dorm. (My clothes takes up too much room already.) More than often, I would go upstairs and sit in those lounge chairs when I just want to simply read. However, if I decide to study for my classes that day, I prefer sitting at a empty table with a large area so I don’t feel so restricted in space. I also think that the library makes it really easy to hold study groups because you can reserve actual small rooms for you and our friends.

I haven’t been to a library in years, however it was like second nature to me, walking up the stairs, searching the shelves, checking out a book. Although I’ve entered the library previously before, I couldn’t deny its grandeur. It had a classically modern look to it and with the vast amount of space it didn’t give off a pressure to learn vibe. It was a more of a busy New York with the relaxed suburbs a block away. So, for now I like the library. Will it always be that way? I don’t know I suppose I’ll have to wait till finals week to find out.

I never imagined how well designed Baruch’s library would be. I always imagined that the library would be like any other library; I was expecting it to be similar to a public library. However, when I first walked in, I noticed that there was a plenty of open space for people to work and there seemed to be an aura of peace. I quickly noticed how organized it was. Every section was placed in a way for students to have ease of access throughout the library. I also noticed that Baruch had a system that allowed the students to have access over books and where they are placed. I also noticed that Baruch offers the students laptops they can use for a couple of hours. I believe that is very useful and convenient for the students who need to use the web to work. Overall, I believe that Baruch’s library holds a safe environment for the students and it offers them a quiet place for them to study and catch up on some rest.

I know that Baruch’s library will be my safe haven from the city. It’ll become a place where I will go hopefully everyday to study. I know that the library will also become my number one printing service in case I need to print something for class. I know I will go there during breaks to catch up on rest and some peace. The library will also give me the chance to have study groups to better understand a subject. Baruch’s library will be a corner stone; it will have a huge impact to the next few years at Baruch.