Library changes this semester…
As you stroll into the library this spring semester, you may notice a few changes. Some of our furniture and shelves have been shifted to create better spaces to gather and study. The change that has caused the biggest impact, however, is not a physical change but rather our new hours.
The current economy has caused us all to make difficult decisions about tightening our belts. One area that the library had to reduce was the hours that we are open. The current hours of operation are located on the library home page at www.loras.edu/library. Click on “Hours” under the “About Us” menu, and a PDF calendar will open. Library hours are also posted on the library doors.
Changing the hours of operation was the most difficult decision that the library had to make this year. To keep the library open as much as possible, full-time staff members are now working at the Check Out Desk each weekday morning. To ensure that students are not left without resources, our librarians have put together guides and tools available on the library home page. Reference assistance has also been expanded through electronic communication. Don’t forget that your library also subscribes to a vast number of full-text databases that you can access from your home! For more details about our reference services and databases, click on Ask a Librarian on the library’s home page: www.loras.edu/library. Watch the Lorian in the coming weeks for in-depth articles about these services.
Another very significant change is in our media collection. Educational DVDs have now been separated from entertainment DVDs. Our new Educational Media section now contains all educational DVDs, videos and CDs. This will make searching for something like The Cappuccino Trail : the Global Economy in a Cup much easier. In addition, these items can be checked out for four weeks at a time as opposed to entertainment DVDs which can only be checked out for one week. We anticipate this change will enhance the academic pursuits of all Loras students.
While we’ve undergone changes, some things have remained the same. We are still your library, and we are still committed to giving all patrons the highest level of service possible. Please stop in and see how your Loras College Library can make your Loras College education exceptional.