Have you ever seen the ‘Red Hill’ in the lobby of the Main Library of Chonnam National University (CNU)? Its vivid red color and huge size is enough to draw many students’ attention. These days we can find such exhibitions in the library which has held the Autumn Reading Culture Festival. As part of the festival, exhibitions of books recommended by professors, students’ reading clubs, awards for best readers, and a book donation program will continue through November. According to the library, these are efforts to attract students to visit the library first and then make them discover new books. Its ultimate purpose is to raise students’ interests in reading and improve reading culture so as to revitalize the educational and cultural function of the library. It sounds feasible and fascinating, but does it meet the demands of students? Chonnam Tribune tried to take a closer look at what they really want.
We Need More Books!
Students often cannot find the books they need in the library. The library simply does not have the books. Park Chan-gul (Junior, Dept. of Chemical Engineering) said, “I could not borrow the books I needed at the library because it did not have them. I think the library’s collection of books is too small.” According to an article in The Chonnam National University Weekly published last year, its entire collection and expenditures on new book purchases were ranked lowest among national universities in 2008. Even this year, the number of books the CNU library has is just one third the size of the collection at the Seoul National University library.
In addition, students cannot find books they need on bookshelves because of other students’ carelessness: after checking out or reading a book some students have a tendency not to carry the book back to its place. The library has attached notices on bookshelves, but many books still seem to be put in the wrong place and some of them might never be found again. “ I used the library system on the 2nd floor. Even though it said the books I needed were available, I did not find the books on the bookshelves in the reading room upstairs. ,” Kim Young-mi (Junior, Dept. of Forest Resources and Landscape Architecture) said. If the books are not put back in the proper place, it is almost impossible to find them. Some students expressed dissatisfaction with the limited number of copies of each book in the library. Park Jeong-kyu (Senior, Dept. of Business Administration) said, “I went to the library to find reference books for my homework but they were already borrowed by other students.” It might also be a common complaint among students. Some professors assign specific books for assignments or as reference books for their classes; students must put a hold on those books and wait in line to borrow them. Usually, they must wait for several months to borrow them as some books are on reserve by more than 10 students.
Others complained about damaged books. Moon Chan-gi (Senior, Dept. of Psychology) said, “I get angry whenever I find books that are worn or marked and scribbled.” Some books are ripped, or heavily underlined. Exercise books often have the answers filled in. Some rude and ill-mannered patrons use library books like they were their own property and it prevents students from reading and studying effectively.
Do You Observe the Rules of Etiquette in the Library?
After listening to students’ demands and complaints, Chonnam Tribune went to the library to find out what was being done. The library authorities said that they have already heard the complaints of students over the number of books in its collection, and as an effort to solve the problem they have made new purchases. Joo Sung-hee (the head of the Scientific Information Support Department) said, “It is impossible to satisfy everyone’s wants but we have bought almost every book that students have requested.” He added that it is inevitable that they need at least 10 days to prepare books for circulation. Students need to consider carefully whether the book they request is for temporary use or not and then request it in advance if they really need it.
As regards the limited number of copies of each book, Lee Jung-ae (the Director of Library) explained, “The library must provide various types of books, not just many copies of each book.” According to our purchasing rules, generally we can only buy two copies of any book. However, the library can purchase two more books if the usage and request rate is very high. Some students complain about the shortage of books, but at the same time others visit the library regularly thanks to the variety of books. Choi Jong-myoung (First of Law School) said, “It is good for me to read different books because it is impossible to buy every book and study with just one or two books.”
Library as a Hub of Knowledge
As mentioned above, the library is likely to endeavor to offer a variety of services and to be a better place for students. However, it is important that most student complaints are related to books. That is, if they cannot find or read the books they need they are not satisfied with the library service. Some of their complaints result from their own carelessness. That is, damaged books and misplaced books are the fault of students they are, after all, the library’s main users.
So what do CNU students as users of the library really want? Probably to be able to find and use the various sources and materials they need in the library. They tend to think it the basic functions of the library. Therefore, even though the library’s efforts to be a better facility is impressive and has had many positive effects, students wish that the library would have a larger collection of books that is easier to use. The library should design its service based on students’ needs. But CNU students should also do their part. The library is public property; they should respect the books and use them with care. Everyone has to share them. By working together perhaps one day the CNU library can become the library that students’ desire.
By Jang Min, Guest Reporter