Having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card. With a new library on campus, not only will the freshmen have to adjust to a new system, but so will upperclassmen and professors, alike. Here are a few tips to take away the stress of your library experience and make it as enjoyable as possible.

Libraries

Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons, Allendale Campus
Hours: Monday- Thursday: 7 a.m. – 2 a.m., Friday: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Phone number: 616-331-3500
Website: www.gvsu.edu/library

Steelcase Library, Pew Campus
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 12 a.m., Friday: 7:30 a.m. -9 p.m., Saturday-9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday – 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Phone number: 616-331-3500

Library Tools

1. Course reserves
Handy for when professors need to share an item with their students, instructors can simply post the document on course reserves under the class title. To access it, simply click the ‘course reserves’ tab on the library’s website and log in using your GVSU network username and password. To obtain a physical copy of the document, visit the library’s reference desk.

2. Document delivery
The library doesn’t have the document you need? No problem. Through document delivery, students can request that GVSU-owned articles be delivered to their desktops or from partner libraries. Click the ‘document delivery’ tab at the library’s website and log in with your GVSU network username and password.

3. Peer Research consultants
Need help narrowing down your research or just getting started? Make an appointment at the library to get help from other students trained in the field or librarians who know your subject area.

4. RefWorks
Helpful for the arduous task that is writing a paper’s bibliography, RefWorks is a web-based database that helps students collect and organize references needed for bibliographies. The tool is available to format in APA, MLA and Chicago-style citations. Search ‘RefWorks’ on the GVSU library’s main webpage.

Study “sweet spots”
When you feel like escaping from your room or want an alternative study location from the usual library spot, consider these little-known spaces.

Seidman House
Equipped with comfortable chairs and a request that all those studying within keep quiet, Seidman House is the place to go when you need to focus.

Niemeyer reading room
Sometimes the best motivation is being surrounded by reading materials, studious minds and a cozy fireplace. Check out the Niemeyer Reading Room located on the top floor of the Niemeyer Learning and Living Center.

The Arboretum
Definitely one of the most soothing places on campus, studying surrounded by natural beauty will surely quell any test anxiety you might be undergoing. On that note, the courtyard behind Kirkhof is just as expansive and even has steps for sitting. Just be careful not to get too distracted, as you’ll probably see a lot of faces you know while studying at the core of the Allendale Campus.

The Bitter End
You don’t have to be on campus or even in Allendale to study. Check out the Bitter End located in downtown Grand Rapids on Fulton Street before Pew Campus. Open 24 hours, it’s perfect for those all nighters.

Eberhard Center
Check out the rooms the elevators empty into while riding up the building’s nine floors. With a sweet view overlooking the Grand River, this study spot definitely promotes elevated state of concentration.

Printing/technology labs
Why use your own ink when GVSU offers plenty of spots on campus for free, unlimited printing? Don’t stress anymore about running out of paper and visit any number of the printing labs on both campuses, including the Lake Ontario Hall computer labs located in room 163, Henry Hall computer labs in rooms 111-117, Niemeyer honors room 114, and Connection labs in rooms 210 and 212. The university invests in both Macs and PCs, so you’re bound to find something to satisfy your needs.

For a complete listing of labs and lab hours, visit www.gvsu.edu/it/lab-hours-213.htm.

A special technology lab that comes in use for most language students is The Language Resource Center on the second floor of Mackinac Hall (D Wing). Whether you’re taking Spanish, Russian or any of GVSU’s foreign language classes, expect to spend a lot of time here. Offering a wide array of computer programs, foreign language films and more, you’ll be fluent in no time.

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Fri: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Sat: 1 p.m.- 6 p.m.
Sun: 1 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

Tutoring opportunities

1. Tutoring Center
If you’re struggling in a course or proactively seeking help for a potentially difficult subject, sign up for tutoring in 200 Student Services Building at www.gvsu.edu/tc. The office is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to register in person.

2. Writing Center
With locations on both the downtown and Allendale campuses, the Writing Center pairs you with a student consultant to guide you through any step of the writing process. Consulants can also advise on written work such as resumes or creative writing pieces. The Allendale location in Lake Ontario Hall is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Grand Rapids location in DeVos Building C is available Monday through Thursday form 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Consultants hold online office hours Monday through Wednesday from 8 p.m. to midnight.

3. Speech lab
Now in its infancy, the speech lab provides students and professors the opportunity to have their oral presentations critiqued and improved. Appointments can be made online to meet with a student consultant.