Five Reasons to Value the Academic Library

With the recent lockdowns, ongoing pandemic and the digitisation of most resources, it’s easy to forget about the physical library. In this blog post we’re listing five reasons to value the academic library and why it’s still a huge part of the campus and university life.

1. Heart of the university

The majority of universities have a library and every student will use it in one way or another. It’s a space for students to go to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their chosen field. Whether it’s to speak with a librarian or subject specialist, find their required reading or just a quiet place to focus – it provides something for everyone.

2. Improved student experience

Good quality libraries can attract and retain top students. Often when deciding which university to go to, a well-established library with great resources can be a big factor in the decision making. On top of this, a good academic library can boost the employability of a university's graduates which in turn contributes to the prestige of a university.

3. Time well spent

Certain students might spend more time in the library than with their lecturers, especially those studying humanities and the arts. This increases the need for investment in the academic library to ensure that these students are getting the same value out of their university experience and have access to the resources they need.

4. Support from the experts

Academic libraries are full of dedicated experts ready to provide support to students, staff and researchers in a variety of general or specialist areas ranging from referencing support to copyright, from maths and statistics to historical sources.
 

5. Digital resources 24/7

Although this post is mainly celebrating the benefits of the physical library, it’s important to remember that academic libraries provide invaluable digital resources for staff and students to access 24/7 to support their studies and research.

There is nothing as important as nurturing and developing the provision of the academic library. It is an established part of a university campus and plays an invaluable role in the university experience.