An incoming student’s guide to University Libraries

When one steps foot on Ohio University’s campus for the first time, it can be a rush of emotions: from excitement and happiness to nervousness and possibly to being overwhelmed. With multiple resources available, this unknown time can be made a bit easier. Here at University Libraries , everyone is welcome and invited to explore the many spaces within the Libraries. Although it can be intimidating at first, the Libraries has many features to offer in order to make your time a little easier. Here is an incoming student’s guide to some of the resources available at University Libraries.

Ohio University Libraries is comprised of the Vernon R. Alden Library, the Music & Dance Library , the Southeast Ohio Regional Library Depository and its five regional campus libraries . On the Athens Campus, Alden Library is located at 30 Park Place, while the Music & Dance Library is inside Glidden Hall. Alden’s hours are also perfect for all students who may want to have an early morning or a late-night study session.

Alden is University Libraries’ main library with a total of seven floors, many study rooms and printers. For those looking for a possible workspace, Alden has spaces to meet the needs of quiet or collaborative study. Each floor has a different noise level sections that ranges from group to silent work, a variety of seating areas such as tables, cushioned chairs and desks and provided materials like white boards and markers for student use. Study and meeting rooms are available to reserve for a maximum of three hours a day with some rooms containing screens for projection.

Printers are accessible as well with some on every floor for a low price of five cents per standard printer paper in black and white and 25 cents per standard printer paper in color. Bobcat Cash on your OHIO ID card or a guest printing card is the payment method. Other technology is also available, such as the multimedia center on the second floor with iMac PCS with Adobe Creative Suite, a Wacom tablet, desktop scanners for film rolls and laptops for loan .

University Libraries is always holding special events and exhibits for the OHIO community too. The annual Authors @ Alden event brings in faculty, alumni and authors to discuss their latest books and other projects. These events are free and some are also live streamed for viewing.  Previous visitors have included photographer and OHIO alumni Adger Cowans ; former chair of Lourdes University’s history department Mary Stockwell and Nigerian author Chuma Nwokolo .

In preparation for finals, the Libraries holds Finals by Alden to help students feel ready and relaxed for their studies. Some of those activities include free button making, survival kits with items to aid in alleviating some stress and visits by therapy dogs to boost your serotonin. Study sessions with the Academic Achievement Center have also been offered during finals.

Exhibits are held in the Libraries too. Always being changed in and out to provide new content, University Libraries continuously has something to display. From Plants and Printing , to OHIO’s Founder’s Day , a wide variety of topics and interests are curated for in person displays. Exhibits can also be found online along with digital archives .

For a more in depth look into each floor of Alden Library, check out the social media series, “This is Alden,” which visually highlights important information from a student’s perspective. The second floor and third floor are currently available for viewing on the Libraries’ YouTube channel. 

Remember that even though things may get overwhelming, Ohio University Libraries is always here to help and be a resource for all your needs.

Photos by Charlie Nick / Ohio University Libraries