2008 Woodie Awards
Student complaints being resolved
Library designates a few computers for research only
Ryan Young
Issue date: 11/13/06 Section: Opinion
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At first glance, a casual observer of the LCCC campus library may suspect, based on the sheer number of those sitting at the computers, that the student body is very astute and on task when it comes to the education. While time will only tell how astute they truly are, a closer look will tell a story that involves an all too familiar blue and grey background. Friend lists and profile pages light the screens and e-mails are read and responded to, which leaves a student to question where exactly he or she can go to do research in the computer lab that was intended for that very purpose.
In response to a recently posted comment card that read simply and urgently: "Take Myspace off the computers," and also because of an outcry of many other LCCC students, the library staff decided to designate four of the 26 computers for research only.
Rita Blanford, a reference librarian at LCCC, said, " The staff moved as a result of student complaints about not having access to computers to do research for class assignments." The change that occurred about a month ago applies to four openly visible computers that are now adorned with orange pieces of paper that warn that they are for "research purposes only."
This leaves the student with the question of what exactly research consists of. However, on the attention grabbing orange sheet, research is defined as the "library catalog, Ohio Link, research database, and electronic books." The paper also says that research does not include "Angel, word processing, games of any kind, and social web sites (myspace, facebook, e-mail)."
Basically only research for projects and class assignments is permitted, leaving these four computers open for those who truly need them. But are students happy with the change?
Sarah Krause, 18, an LCCC student said, "I think it's good so people can actually use them (the computers) for what they're there for." This was a popular sentiment among students around campus.
However one student, Caleb Ramsey, 19, advocated for Angel to be added to the research computer's list of allowable functions, as it is very deeply involved with the school and the learning process. "My professor posts slides on the site and sometimes I need to print them out before class," he said, "But sometimes I can't because there are people on Myspace everywhere and I can't use the other ones (referring to the "research only" computers)."
The complaints have halted and the conflict has been solved. if only judging by the observation -- students say that very few people are ever seated at the computers designated for research purposes.
But what does this say about students priorities? What does it say about those who determine what their priorities should be? The answers may not be found by conventional methods of research, but it's possible that it would make an interesting Myspace blog.
In response to a recently posted comment card that read simply and urgently: "Take Myspace off the computers," and also because of an outcry of many other LCCC students, the library staff decided to designate four of the 26 computers for research only.
Rita Blanford, a reference librarian at LCCC, said, " The staff moved as a result of student complaints about not having access to computers to do research for class assignments." The change that occurred about a month ago applies to four openly visible computers that are now adorned with orange pieces of paper that warn that they are for "research purposes only."
This leaves the student with the question of what exactly research consists of. However, on the attention grabbing orange sheet, research is defined as the "library catalog, Ohio Link, research database, and electronic books." The paper also says that research does not include "Angel, word processing, games of any kind, and social web sites (myspace, facebook, e-mail)."
Basically only research for projects and class assignments is permitted, leaving these four computers open for those who truly need them. But are students happy with the change?
Sarah Krause, 18, an LCCC student said, "I think it's good so people can actually use them (the computers) for what they're there for." This was a popular sentiment among students around campus.
However one student, Caleb Ramsey, 19, advocated for Angel to be added to the research computer's list of allowable functions, as it is very deeply involved with the school and the learning process. "My professor posts slides on the site and sometimes I need to print them out before class," he said, "But sometimes I can't because there are people on Myspace everywhere and I can't use the other ones (referring to the "research only" computers)."
The complaints have halted and the conflict has been solved. if only judging by the observation -- students say that very few people are ever seated at the computers designated for research purposes.
But what does this say about students priorities? What does it say about those who determine what their priorities should be? The answers may not be found by conventional methods of research, but it's possible that it would make an interesting Myspace blog.
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