Librarians are rocking

By Jason Freeman
Special to Summer Forty-Niner
 
Viseth Vann, a graduate student, is starting his final year at Cal State Long Beach. And one thing he will not miss is the countless hours of studying that he had to do to get his bachelor's and master's degrees, most of them at University Library.

"I like the services that are performed by the librarians," Vann said. "I enjoy being able to research online as well."

Vann, however, said he does feel that some improvements need to be made.  He thinks the maps are confusing, and there needs to be better directions posted. He is displeased with the library Copy Center as well.

"We need a copy center similar to Staples; the one in the library is too small, too expensive, and doesn't offer enough services," Vann said.

The library copy center, located on the first floor, offers photocopies and services such as making transparencies and double-sided copies.  Photocopiers are also located on the lower level in periodicals, and on the first and second floor. Change machines are located in the Copy Center on the first floor, and on the lower level in periodicals. A CSULB ID with credits will work on some of the photocopiers.

The west side of the fifth floor contains unusual and valuable collections of rare and fragile books, original art prints and photographs. The children's collection is located on fifth floor west side.

Theses are located on the second floor west side Room 205. Californian documents are located on the second floor west side. Media, microforms and slide sets are located first floor east side. Reference is located on the first floor west side.

Disabled study rooms are located on the lower level Room 28. Newspapers and current periodicals are also located on the lower level.

The CSULB Library Computer Lab is located on the lower level. It has both PCs and Macs for students' use. Printouts cost 20 cents per page and can be paid with the CSULB ID. The lab is open the same hours as the library.

The library maintains mutual-use agreements with many area libraries.  These libraries include all CSU libraries, and four local community colleges including Long Beach City College.

Students can use the interlibrary loan department to request books and articles from those libraries, said Henry J. DuBois, associate dean of University Library. Students can also go to LBCC libraries and check out books from there.

"If our students want to go to LBCC to borrow books onsite (rather than have ILL do it for them), they need only present their valid CSULB ID card for full borrowing privileges at both LBCC libraries," DuBois said. "The same is true of the four other community college 'partner' libraries, as well as all 22 other CSU campus libraries."