Academic Libraries: "UNM [U. of New Mexico] Libraries Still Appeal to Students"

From the New Mexico Daily Lobo:

Despite stores such as Borders and Newsland closing up shop, UNM’s Zimmerman Library still has plenty of chapters left in an increasingly digital world.

UNM Libraries associate dean Nancy Dennis said that 1.8 million people visited UNM’s four libraries last year, and Zimmerman topped the list.

“We’re already seeing gate counts here in Zimmerman of over 6,000 people a day,” Dennis said. “It’s a little bit more than last year, but it’s a very busy place.”

She said the library attracts students for several reasons, including the first floor Starbucks, a high number of computer terminals and communal study areas.

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Despite the growing availability of information online, students still check out books. The library circulates more than 300,000 books a year out of the collections, but also has about 200,000 e-books accessible through LIBROS, an online catalogue.

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Student Kelly Dunn said she isn’t familiar with the online resources.

“I don’t really use anything online,” she said. “I mostly use the printed materials (because) I haven’t been taught the online materials.”

Student Amanda Best said that she thinks students use their textbooks more than anything.

“I don’t use any books at the library. I use the computer and the tutoring service, CAPS. If you need a book for school, you can get it at the bookstore,” she said.

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Filed under: Academic Libraries, Libraries