Five Reasons to Use Your Campus Library during Finals

The college library provides a quiet oasis away from the busyness of the rest of campus.

Nobody likes finals week, whether you’re taking exams, writing papers, or working on your final dissertation. The few weeks before summer vacation come filled with parties and studying alike, making them a bit chaotic for students looking to keep their grades up and ace those exams. Fortunately, the campus library is here to help. Here’s how:

1. It’s Quiet

The main pull of a campus library during finals week is that it’s quiet. When studying amidst moving roommates, parties, and late nights binging TV, the library and its resources are a breath of fresh air amid a busy time. For some students, the library provides a nice change of scenery to help with concentration; for others, it’s one of few private spaces for studying. Many campus libraries contain private, single-person study rooms that students can reserve for study sessions.

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2. Get Help with Your Papers

You’ll also find the Writer’s Workshop (or some variation of the idea) at your campus library. These volunteer-run studios are filled with experts who want to make your final paper sound amazing. Don’t know whether or not to use that Oxford comma, or need some help getting started with a research project? Don’t worry—someone can help.

3. Free Database Access

Arguably the best part about campus libraries is that their databases come with tons of subscriptions to research publications. JSTOR, PubMed, and other scholarly databases are just a few clicks away at your campus library. That way, you won’t have to pay for research resources or need to scrounge the internet for things you can access!

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4. Need Help? Ask a Librarian

Librarians are also great resources themselves. Your school librarian is always available to answer questions about finding books, starting a research project, or helping you find a quiet place to study. Some campus libraries, like the Cornell University Library, feature live chats with librarians for students to ask questions. Implementing text chats between students and librarians has helped the university throughout the pandemic, and it continues to be incredibly useful for off-campus students.

5. Food Delivery!

Okay, we know you’re not supposed to eat in the computer labs or among the shelves of your campus library. However, some libraries allow snacks in their study spaces, which students can order for delivery using dining dollars from their campus meal plans. For example, The Rochester Institute of Technology recently implemented an online ordering system that students can use to have food delivered anywhere on campus—including the library!

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