Unit 2 Library

Bird Library

Coming to Syracuse, I heard of Bird Library as the "social library." I immediately resonated with this because I consider myself a social person, so I chose to explore this building even further.

I saw two friends as I walked through the door, waiting for their coffees at Pages Cafe. Say hello to Sophia and Kara! Pages is a place that invokes excellent conversation, and if you go after 4pm, your coffee can count as a meal swipe, which I find very useful! 

There are several different spaces throughout this library where they display art of students, local artists, or pieces that represent history. 

Various tutoring options are available at Bird.  The C.L.A.S.S. Tutoring area is on the basement level, and if the tables are not being used, the whiteboards make studying a lot more trouble-free.  

If you take the elevator up to the 6th floor, you will find various artifacts and history of pieces of history. 

I discovered something I had never noticed: an advertisement for Coca-Cola's "new" plastic bottle from 197 0. It is crazy to imagine a world without plastic, for better or worse.

This is my friend Claire, who is also in my WRT 205 class. We both have found love and peace within this library, which is nice to bond over. 

For the item I checked out, I picked a TI-84 Calculator. One of the amenities offered for Syracuse students at Bird is the ability to rent almost any item of technology needed for 24 hours. I have yet to invest in my own calculator; therefore, I rely on Bird to provide one when I have an exam or those surprise Calculus quizzes! This calculator represents how students at Syracuse do not take advantage of what is included in their tuition. The TI-84 might seem like a small thing, but having access to this technology for free whenever I need it has been a lifesaver. I wish the university had advertised its services more so that all students could get the most out of their investment in their education. 

Before coming to Syracuse, I was not somebody who spent time at the library. The lifelong skills of time management, organization, and reviewing notes I learned at school helped me find my place at the library, especially on those exam-heavy weeks. I am so happy that I found a place at school where I no longer feel academically intimidated, and I have taught myself motivation through the independence being in college gives me.  

Embracing the library's resources and utilizing the technology available have been significant factors in my academic success. It's not just about renting a calculator; it's about making the most of what the university offers. Syracuse provides numerous tools for success, but many students need to learn about or use them more. 

As a final point, the support provided by Bird Library (and all libraries in general) has exponentially improved not only my academic performance but also my ability to multitask with all of the talking that goes on in the background. My relationship with technology influences my relationship with the brick-and-mortar library by enhancing accessibility and convenience. While digital tools offer convenience and efficiency, they also show the value of physical spaces, whether we are using them to be productive or doing in-person research. Technology has enhanced the way we use libraries in the sense that it makes them a lot more user-friendly, and the brick-and-mortar library is a place that can never close because of the rich resources they provide and opportunities for collaboration.