영국 노썸브리아대 도서관
School libraries were one of the most anticipated places when I started the exchange program at Northumbria University (NU), Newcastle in the United Kingdom. There are three libraries at NU - two are in the City Campus and the other one is in the Coach Lane Campus. The biggest, nine-story building is the City Campus Library (CCL), which is at the heart of the main campus. Comparing the CCL to the Library Annex at Chonnam National University (CNU), I prefer the CCL due to the following three reasons.
At first, the library is full of facilities and spaces that students can use 24/7 during term time. The library study room that is similar with a seminar room in the CNU Library Annex (LA) would be a good example. It is a small room for a maximum of eight people with PC’s. Some rooms also have huge digital screens so that students can see their discussion material together on the screen. There are nine study rooms mainly on the basement floor of the library and every student can use the rooms at any time of the day after booking it online. Above the library study room, there are many sofas and collaborative tables that groups of students can use for discussion and to do some group projects together. Furthermore, every student can print or copy with a student card that works as a credit card on campus. All floors have a printer, a copier, a scanner and PC’s. Using these machines is fast and easy.
Not only are the facilities convenient, but also they are handsome. The interior of the CCL is modern and the colorful furniture makes me more creative. There are some comfortable and unique sofas that people can read a book or take a rest on in between classes. Especially, the basement which is newly refurbished based on students’ feedback, is a perfect lounge for studying and chilling out with friends. Exchange students said that they wanted to come to the basement and study every day. In the LA, I was sometimes disappointed because most furniture was too creaky and the interior was old-fashioned. Some might say that the LA is well preserved in its original form and historical feature but I have always dreamt of a modern library, and the CCL is just the right one that I was looking for.
Last but not least, the foremost system of the library is that no one is allowed inside of the library without a student card. Every user scans the card whenever they enter and exit the library. Because of this system, the library is not crowded at all and well maintained. Whereas some CNU students complain that the LA is also open for not just students but also local residents.
I remember my first day at university as I saw many people studying in the fifth reading room of LA. It was full of people studying bulky major textbooks and the only thing I could hear in the reading room was the sound of flipping through the pages. The LA has always been the best place for me to study ever since I felt the real passion for study of the people around me. However, at least with staying in Newcastle, the City Campus Library became a much more special place to me. Before going back to Korea, I will explore more books and study hard in this fabulous library.
By Son Hyun-jee, Overseas Correspondent
손현지 해외통신원
tribune1968@cnumedia.com