The Millar Library, located at 1875 SW Park Ave., is one of the largest buildings on campus and perhaps one of the most underutilized by new students.
Besides renting books, students can also:
Get coffee:
Branford Bean is a popular spot to get coffee on campus and it’s located on the first floor of the library. They serve Stumptown coffee and espresso as well as snacks and other beverages to help make your long-term study session a little bit more bearable. Since it’s a part of the school, you can use your PSU meal plans to fuel your study sessions.
Access free articles and databases:
There are dozens of free databases and thousands of articles available through the library’s website. You can reference them generally or by specific subject. As a PSU student, you also have access to Academic Search Premier, Google Scholar, JSTOR and Web of Science, which all provide crucial starting points when you first begin researching a project or essay. Most services offer free PDF versions of academic articles or you can rent or access them through other participating universities through Interlibrary Loan & Article Delivery.
Reserve a study room:
If you need a quiet place to study or need a space to work on a group project with your classmates, renting a room at the library is the way to go. You are only allowed to rent study rooms for a total of 15 hours per week, but you have access to large rooms, TVs, projectors and other technology to help you study. Just make sure to return your room key in time so you don’t get fined!
Talk to people who know what they’re talking about:
When you first start a project, you may not know exactly what you should be looking for. A book? An article? Another resource? Chances are a librarian will be able to help you find exactly what you’re looking for without having to find the exact keyword, or they can at least point you in the right direction. The library also offers workshops and tours to help you familiarize yourself with the resources available. You can also visit the Writing Center to get help on your latest rough draft. Just make sure to give yourself and everyone else involved enough time to help you find what you’re looking for.
Rent things:
Besides access to a desktop computer, students can rent laptops, tablets or DVDs to help them reach their educational goals. With an active Banweb account, you can also print, copy, scan or print in the library without having to leave campus.
Access to late-night study sessions during finals:
The Millar Library is open late or, in the case of finals week, 24 hours a day, to give you as much access to constructive researching and studying as possible. With dozens of computers, tables and quiet floors, you can find a space and the access to pull those last-minute all-nighters and not have to worry about moving as it gets later or trying to ignore your noisy roommates.
Surround yourself with other students:
Perhaps one of the most overlooked features of the Millar Library is the ability to surround yourself with other students who are busy working toward their own educational goals. While working at a café or coffee shop is great sometimes, it can be loud and often distracting, especially when the majority of customers are not in the midst of cramming for finals or trying to push through the last few pages of their midterm.
That’s not to say that you have to use everything the library has to offer or that you have to spend every moment you’re not in class studying. However, having the resources available and knowing what your options are, is a crucial part to the college going experience. Happy studying!