Libraries Anchor the Campus Community

Academic libraries often provide employment and internship opportunities to students, but they also support patrons in other meaningful ways.

Access to Resources

Databases and Journals

You can’t find everything on the internet, but you sure can find a lot of peer-reviewed material through the library! Libraries offer patrons access to numerous databases and peer-reviewed journals that exist behind expensive paywalls.

Textbooks and Course Reserves

Sometimes professors will reserve textbooks for their students. These course reserves are typically available for in-library use only and come with a borrowing time limit for anywhere between one and three hours.

Special Collections

Many academic libraries boast special collections, which can contain anything from archival materials to rare books.

Subject Librarians

Some academic libraries employ subject librarians, who specialize in a specific area of study and usually have prior work experience in that area. For example, a business librarian may have previously worked in the private sector, an education librarian may have previously worked in the public school system, and so on.

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Technology and Study Spaces

Café or Coffeehouse

Many academic libraries these days have some sort of eatery in or very near the library. These places offer a convenient spot for students to grab a coffee or snack between their study sessions.

Computers and Software

Academic libraries often have computer labs available for student use. Sometimes these computer labs serve a dual purpose and are used as additional classroom space for other departments on campus.

Printing and Scanning

For a small fee, students can use the library to print school papers and other homework. Scanners and copiers are also often available.

Study Rooms

Students can often find private study rooms at their campus library. Some libraries restrict study room access to large groups. Libraries typically offer these rooms on a first-come, first-served basis. Room reservation systems are available at some libraries, which allow patrons the ability to reserve a space for studying.

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Accessibility

Adaptive Equipment

If you have a disability and require adaptive equipment, be sure to reach out to your library for further assistance. Adaptive equipment options might include screen readers, trackballs, accessible workstations, screen magnifiers, and more.

Academic Integrity

Citation Assistance

Librarians are trained to know how to follow proper citation guidelines for a variety of formats.

Information Literacy

Librarians know how to locate information from reputable resources. This is an invaluable skill in the digital age. The internet provides access to an endless number of resources, but they are not all created equal. Anyone can publish an article on the internet, regardless of the author’s credentials. Information professionals, like librarians, know how to parse out data that meets the needs of patrons.

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Featured Libraries

The following list features academic libraries that provide a little extra niche support to students.

Harvard University – Countway Library

The library offers Countway Cuddles, a unique program designed to help students combat academic burnout and stress. It features therapy dogs and one guinea pig and runs Monday through Thursday.

The College of New Jersey – R. Barbara Gitenstein Library

Recommended Reading: In the Kim Turner Wentworth ’80 Reading Room, you will find the Student Recommendation Shelf, which includes a display of titles recommended by the library’s own student workers. This corner of the library allows students an opportunity to find leisure titles recommended by their peers.

Penn State University Libraries

Virtual Sensory Room: The virtual sensory room provides students with digital tools that help students self-regulate. Resources in the room include digital fidgets and doodles, visual stimulation videos, and white noise simulators.

University of Michigan Library

Social Worker: In 2021, UML hired a library social worker to support students facing housing insecurity, mental health challenges, and financial burdens. The social worker provides confidential consultations and connects students to other campus resources.

William Patterson University – Cheng Library

Mental Health Support: The library recently opened a Student Relaxation Lounge. This peaceful environment includes a telehealth room for virtual appointments. Students can access the lounge with their university ID card.

The Campus Library as a Third Place

College students, especially Gen Z “nesters,” are increasingly seeking third places — spaces beyond home and classrooms — to study. With its diverse work areas and cozy atmosphere, the campus library offers an ideal setting for this kind of focused, flexible learning. It fosters inclusivity and social equity, encourages both academic engagement and casual interaction, and provides a calm refuge from the buzz of campus life. More than just a study spot, the library anchors the broader campus community — it’s a dynamic hub of activity, ideas, and belonging.

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