The University of Idaho Library has been an essential part of campus since 1892.
The original library started out as small classroom and eventually grew to the expansive library on campus now. The current library was built in 1957 and renovated in 1993.
Renovations began to meet the needs of the students, improve the outdated look, and create a learning center that would grow and survive into the new century, according to the Library’s homepage.
The Library now houses over one million books, including thousands of periodicals and access to online books.
Beth Hendrix, an assistant professor who works in the Library, said the programs the Library offers are critical for student learning. Hendrix has been a reference librarian at UI for five years.
Hendrix said the Library has many resources for all students, with a reference desk to help with research papers, an audio and video production room, along with the Making, Innovating, and Learning Laboratory (MILL), tutoring and different workshops that are free for students.
Students can access 3D printing, try virtual reality and check out different equipment to try themselves at the MILL.
“It’s a stimulating environment for students, because they’re surrounded by other studying students,” Hendrix said. “The Library is open around the clock five days/week, and it has comfortable furniture, moveable whiteboards, study rooms for individuals and groups, onsite assistance from Library faculty and staff and ITS personnel, a cafe, and three computer labs.”
Hendrix said various technology related workshops and assistance appointments with reference librarians are just some of the new programs the Library is offering to help students.
“Spending time in the Library helps students focus on their studies, and all the tools they need to produce great work are at their fingertips there. It’s a place where they can be stimulated and inspired, or just chill out alone or with friends,” Hendrix said.
Hendrix said she loves her job and loves how fulfilling working with students can be.
Savannah Rogers, a tutor program coordinator, said the Library’s tutoring program has helped more than 1,200 students and offers help in more than 100 different courses.
“The Library is a great place for Vandal Drop-In Tutoring because many students already use the Library as a study space. The Library offers a location that alleviates some of the stigmas that had been associated with going to tutoring. Rather than seeking out a separate center somewhere, students feel welcome to drop in on their way to a study session in the Library,” Rogers said.
Julia Roach is a biological engineer and said she goes to the Library more than four times a week.
She said the Library has become an essential part of her studying process.
“I go to the Library four days out of the week. I like the whiteboards in the Library and how quiet it is,” Roach said.
She said she likes the option of the quiet upper floors or being around people on the first floor. She said she prefers it to studying in her dorm room.
JC Holton is another student who comes to the Library often.
Holton, a psychology major, said she spends roughly six hours a week studying in the Library.
“I like studying in there. It’s quiet and it’s an atmosphere that helps me focus, unlike my dorm room where I get easily distracted,” Holton said.
Hendrix and Rogers both expressed why they believe the Library to be such an important place.
“It’s the heart of the university — a resource for all fields of study, all stages of research, scholarship and knowledge creation,” Hendrix said.
Rogers said the Library has become an integral part of campus learning.
“The Library is important because it is, by definition, a wealth of resources. The amount of knowledge and information in our library is incredible, and I can’t think of a university program that doesn’t have the opportunity to benefit from the resources contained there,” Rogers said.
Cody Allred can be reached at [email protected]