Emma Evenden’s got insider information
Welcome to The Ontarion’s newest column. This column concentrates on the McLaughlin Library and reports back on how this dynamic building and its people assist students at the University of Guelph every day.
So who is this mysterious writer teeming with insider information about the interesting world of the campus library? My name is Emma Evenden. I’m a third-year commerce student at U of G. I’m a marketing major with a passion for communications, conspiracy theories, and pop culture. I love U of G, from the people, to the coffee at the Bullring, to a lot of other stuff I don’t have room to fit in this article — I love it all.
Maybe you’re wondering how I became a huge advocate for library services and support at such a youthful time in my life? I too wonder that. If I had to guess, it started when I began my co-op position as a communications officer for McLaughlin Library, which was also when I got a crash-course in the library’s many services. As many of you likely did, I spent my first two years here thinking that the library just housed academic books, and that it was a good place to study (or cry) during exams. There were study rooms on the sixth floor and a Starbucks, too. What I didn’t know was how many helpful people and useful resources the library has to help you reach your academic goals.
University can be hard, even for the brightest of people. I often found myself worrying about things that never crossed my mind previously. In class, I’d be asked to “define my academic writing style,” and to use data analysis programs I had never even heard of — which I could have gotten help with, for free, if I knew about the variety of services at the library.
The library is here for you, as a student, and as an individual. People here want to see you succeed and have so many resources that are extremely beneficial. Each week, I’m going to showcase one of these services — some that you may know, others you may not — and teach you how they can help you.
Next week, I’ll be exploring the Learning Commons — a must-know location for personalized assistance with things like:
- Writing
- Studying
- Presenting
And that’s just scratching the surface!
Did you know?
McLaughlin Library is a food-friendly space. You can eat almost anywhere in the library — the only exception is the Archives, since it houses many important historical works. Otherwise, feel free to snack as much as you want!
Photo provided by Emma Evenden