Imagine you are needing to write a paper that is due in class early the next morning. You have an outline and/or at least some sort of an idea of what to write, you just haven’t sat down to write the paper yet. What do you do? Well you have at least two options on campus where you can write your paper.

Those options are Scovill and the new location of Staley Library. Personally I used to live at the library and utilize its many resources.  However, since it’s location moved to a sometimes out of the way place I have started using Scovill more frequently. The library has more of a personal feel with it’s research assistants, and multiple other personnel who can help you navigate Interlibrary loans and checking out books, as well as researching the library databases. Scovill, however, is more like the self-checkout line at stores. You are tasked with using your own personal knowledge and the research you did to compile your thoughts into a paper pretty much all by your lonesome. No matter what location you choose, there are positives and negatives.

While working at Scovill is a much more individualized experience it does have it’s advantages. Scovill is open 24 hours, so, no matter when you’re in need of a computer or printer, it’s open. Another positive is that Scovill is actually on campus, so if you happen to be running late to class, there are no extra steps/streets for you to cross to get to class. You still have to navigate the fence though. Then again who doesn’t have to go around that fence at least twice in their day?  While working in Scovill, students can be found enthusiastically talking and communicating with friends, buying snacks and beverages, and playing their music freely. It’s not like you can’t talk freely in the library or play your music freely, it’s just not typically done. The bathrooms in Scovill are bigger and the open floor plan makes the computer area not feel cramped and small. Although there are some drawbacks to Scovill: it only has two printers, there usually is always one printer on the friz, sometimes there are no reams of paper left, and there are no personnel on duty to help you get those issues resolved. So you end up becoming a printer/ wizard MacGyver around midnight or 2am to get your papers printed for class.

Staley Library has been relocated to New Hall 3 but not to worry, that’s not a terribly long walk away from campus. Also when you enter the library’s new location you are always greeted by smiling faces of Millikin student helpers and all other library personnel. Although the library isn’t open for 24 hours, it’s hours are still pretty amazing. The fact that the library is open from 8am to midnight Monday thru Thursday is quite helpful during the week as well as being open until midnight on Sunday is helpful for those late night printing needs. Another positive about the library is that you can check out books your professors put on reserve for their classes. You are free to pursue the books at your leisure for up 2 hours. Staley library is not only where you check emails and print papers, you can also check out books, get help with research and interlibrary loans. There are also many floors of rooms where you can go for some peace and quiet to type a paper or get some homework done so you aren’t tempted to procrastinate elsewhere. The library also has their materials and research tools online. If you’d rather have a face-to-face interaction, you will have to visit the library’s New Hall 3 location for that.

So as you can see Millikin has gone above and beyond to make sure we as students, faculty, etc. have the resources necessary to achieve our goals; all we have to do is make sure we use the resources.