Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Joshua Ensler Chris Miller, a general education student, looks at tsn.com in the library on Wednesday, Nov. 18. LPC student commonly use the computers in the library for recreational reasons despite a shortage of computers.

Limited computers and an ever-expanding student population have created competition for the machines, exacerbated by student's tendency to use the computers form non-scholastic purposes.
Students in the library primarily use the computers for social media sites and e-mail, blocking out some students who wish to use the machines to further their education.
"There's usually a computer for everyone," said Chris Miller, an LPC student. Even so, during the heavy use hours, students can be seen orbiting the library's open computer lab waiting for the chance to dash in and secure a computer.
The crunch time for computers is typically 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., said Cheryl Warren, head librarian. There are 45 computers for student use in the library.
The library does not require students to use the computers for scholastic purposes, though they do keep four machines near their desk that can only be used for reference.
"The librarians don't monitor the computers, so we don't know if students are on Facebook," Warren said. "To us it's a free speech issue."
The library has requested more computers, she added, but funding is short and the school cannot afford to provide more of them.
Students do not use the machine for social media alone. Many students can be seen with essays and reference materials displayed on their monitors. Nonetheless, students with serious work to do will often be forced to wait for a computer to open up.
"I don't usually use the computers here," said Karla Atanacio, an administration of justice student. "Usually I use my laptop."
Atanacio claims it is often too crowded to secure a computer, prompting her to bring the laptop into the library.
The librarians have infrequently removed a few students to make room for those trying to study, they said.
"We don't want to play cop about Facebook," said Charlotte Bagby, a reference librarian.
The computer lab, in Building 800, has a similar space problem, but is more proactive in guaranteeing they are used for academics.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools