Western Washington University Libraries offers more than gorgeous views of Bellingham Bay and a place to find books. The library also hosts the Student Technology Center, Hacherl Research & Writing Studio and Tutoring Center.
New this school year is the Find a Space system, which allows students to reserve private study rooms in the library and search for study spaces based on noise level, space features, resources and accessibility features.
“You can even locate by ‘Are there windows?’ and then locate where those are., and there's a little map that shows you how to get there, ” Student Success Librarian Elizabeth Stephan said.
Western’s librarians are just as much a resource for students as the books and collections. Some librarians work with the different colleges within Western to offer specialized help for students with specific research and determining the appropriate research question for an assignment.
Students with a deeper interest in research can sign up for the library practicum, a one-credit class that aims to increase information literacy, helping students verify sources and find potential biases from authors while conducting research.
The Hacherl Research & Writing Studio (Haggard Hall, 2nd floor)
The Studio offers help for students from the 101 level to the graduate student level, helping them find sources for papers and teaching them research strategies and techniques that can be applied in their academic and professional careers.
“We don’t just edit your paper for you, we teach you how to teach yourself to be a writer, which is really cool,” said Sydney Reynolds, a research and writing assistant and fifth-year geology student.
Reynolds recommends students start working with the Studio as early as they can. This helps them develop their research and writing skills and learn the pedagogy that the studio promotes, Reynolds said.
“It’s a really cool resource that grows with you,” Reynolds said.
The Studio can also help students with personal projects such as resumes, job applications or grant applications.
Whether you plan to work with the Studio staff or not, the Studio is a great place to study with comfortable chairs, great views of Fisher Fountain and whiteboards for those who need space to plan their papers.
“I just come here to study because I like the view,” said Isaac Becker, a third-year environmental studies student.
The Student Technology Center: (Haggard Hall, 2nd floor)
Another resource located in the library is the STC, which offers a variety of services including technical help with school or personal computers, computer rentals, access to sewing machines and leather working tools.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the STC created online workshops that can help students learn to use different software such as Adobe Illustrator. These workshops are still available on the STC website.
The STC recently converted a computer lab into an “open user space,” boasting which includes moveable tables and leather working tools. The space is set up to host a large variety of workshops, such as a recent student-organized DJ workshop and a LinkedIn workshop.
These workshops can be organized by professors looking to help students with a select software or skill or they can be organized by students looking to learn a new skill.
“That's kind of our goal, to keep technology in the forefront, but also student’s learning and getting more hands-on and trying new things,” said Thayne Yazzie, instructional technologist and training specialist for the STC.
The Tutoring Center: (Wilson, 280)
Also found in the library is the Tutoring Center, which offers drop-in sessions with tutors who specialize in helping students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math class tracks. However, the center also helps with study skills ranging from time management to metacognition, said Nathan Romond, a teaching and learning specialist at Western’s Libraries.
“That's part of what a library is – just as much as the books and the databases, all of that. Resources, within the library including the physical and digital materials resources, are also us. The people that work here. We are also resources, and we are also here to support and help,” said Stephan.
Cody Mills (he/him) is a campus news reporter for The Front this quarter. He is a third-year environmental journalism major. When he's not reporting you can find him skiing or climbing. You can reach him at codymills.thefront@gmail.com.
