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Cal State Long Beach's University Library offers more than just dusty books to students.
Librarian Joy Thomas said that in the near future, a new electronic class will be added because of a $100,000 gift from a generous donor. "This new classroom will provide the students with a more advanced technology for lecture classes taught in there," Thomas said.
Workshops that teach students how to use computers and the Internet are available during the school year, Thomas said.
"Computer knowledge comes in handy when trying to research for term papers and locate topics on the world wide web. Many people do not know how," Thomas said.
There are many new changes taking place in the library and they include computer upgrades as well as a cosmetic face-lift to the front lobby, he said.
"One of the most exciting changes is the new Coast online computer system in the library," Thomas said. "It's like library shopping from your home."
With the new system, Thomas said students are able to stay at home and still access the information superhighway through school. Students will also be able to access other schools' libraries from home and have a wider range of resources available to them.
Although Coast can be accessed from any computer, Thomas and Librarian Greg Armento both feel there will still be reason to come into the library.
"You will be able to do your beginning groundwork from the comfort of your home, but will eventually need to come into the library for additional help," Armento said.
"What do the students do when they get lost sitting in their jammies, and need to ask a question?" Thomas asked. Both Thomas and Armento believe that the librarians are able to channel the students in the right direction with their questions and problems when they are in the library.
"It's like a pyramid, with the books on the bottom as the foundation, and the Internet on the top as the beginning," Armento said. "You will not be able to digitize all books, and because of that you need the library for old-fashioned references."
Thomas said that most librarians hold two degrees, one in library science and the other is in a concentrated field of study, such as English or history.
"Librarians specialize in many areas, it is a competitive market and you have to have as much knowledge as possible, " Thomas said.
Sabrina Tinoco, a student assistant at the library, said that many other services are available in the computer lab, which are heavily used by students. The computer lab is located in the library's basement, and services are provided free of charge. Services include unlimited Internet access, Netscape, e-mail accounts and one-on-one consultants to answer questions.
"The library computers are compatible with any computer, and are easy to connect with," Tinoco said.
Tinoco also pointed out that the library updates the computers every year.
According to Hector Marquez, media services representative for the library, other available items from the media services department include microfilms of newspapers that date back to the early 1900s, magazines and journals that are not usually found, and documentaries on videocassette.
The library is open seven days a week. For more information, one may
call (562) 985-8370 or visit the library's web site at http://www.coast.csulb.edu.