The State Of The CB Library

CB’s library, a great place to research and study, will be making a big move soon.

“Wait, can you check out books in the library?”

This was the response I got when I asked Ryan Moore (’15) whether or not he had rented a book from the CB library. This statement shows how much the concept of the library has changed.

The emergence of iPads and technology at Christian Brothers has led to a decline in demand for books from the library. Although 2 out of the 5 students the Talon asked said they had checked out books from the library, but only when asked to by teachers to be used as a source on a project.

So what exactly is being done in the library?

Despite a decline in the need for and demand for books CB’s library is still a great place for research. Librarian Ms. Kate O’Malley explained to the Talon that she was more than just the person who sorted the books.

“I guide students toward selecting books and supporting materials on the internet as well as tech sources for academic research,” she says.

Obviously the library is a great place to find research materials online and on paper, but there are so many resources to use as Ms. O’Malley explained.

“Libraries offer books, journals, periodicals and online resources, and it’s the goal of the librarian to make the library an appealing campus learning center,” she says.

With these opportunities to learn and research about almost anything with guidance and help from the librarian, the library is by far the best place on campus to study and gather information. It can only get better when it is moved to a larger location after the music program is moved to the new theatre.

“The library is going to move downstairs next summer, where the music rooms are,” she revealed. “The new space will be larger, with hopefully more research materials and more tables for studying and collaborative learning”

The library, the librarian and the help and services they both provide can only get better with a move to a larger more convenient location.

Students also praised the change for it’s convenience:

“It would be great because I would not have to walk up stairs anymore,” says Sophia Lewis (’17).

The move puts the library in a better place on campus and in a better place to continue to help student.