Library hacks

You probably thought libraries were for books right? Oh no, libraries can do much more than that. Below are our favorite hacks for making life easier using the library. You should definitely check them out.

1. Did you know libraries can save you money? Before your hit the campus book store (or, who are we kidding, Amazon) with this term's expensive book list, check out the library first. They will almost certainly have your class books available for loan, sometimes for the entire semester. Occasionally, they will set aside class books on "hold" so they can be read in the library but not checked out. If that's the case, and you really want to take it home, ask for an InterLibrary Loan of the title - another library will send their copy to your library, where you can check it out and take it home!

2. Have a research paper that's freaking you out? Don't know where to start? Head over to your library. Most folks don't know that librarians have DEGREES in LIBRARYING. Ok, that's not a degree, but you get the point. These folks are super well trained at FINDING STUFF. It's literally their job. Make an appointment (often available online at the library homepage) and share your woes with a librarian. They'll help you with a literature search, and send you home with a list of titles to check out for your research paper. Any easier, and they'd have written the paper for you! (but no, they don't do that)

3. Need some downtime? Short on cash? Head to the library to check out the latest Marvel movie on DVD to watch in your dorm, or check out some magazines to read in the quad (FOR FREE!). Some libraries even have stress-busting events like puppy rentals (yes, really!), chair massage appointments, and coloring books :)

4. Time to finish up that research paper, but your references are a mess? Most libraries offer training on how to use citation managers (like EndNote, Mendeley, RefWorks) that can be life savers when you have a handful of citations to juggle. They can also tell you how to put your citations in the proper format, which is especially handy when your Sociology professor wants them in MLA, but your Biology professor insists on APA. Don't even know what those are? Head here --> https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/resources.html

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