Library to Lynch: An Ongoing Transition
By: Ruth Peters and Emily Gaudet
The USJ Library staff and resources were relocated at the start of the spring semester to Lynch Hall due to renovations at the Pope Pius XII Library. Below is an interview conducted by Ruth Peters and Emily Gaudet with Head Librarian Roseanne Krzanowski and Reference and User Experience Librarian Elizabeth Lesso.
Ruth Peters: What has the temporary move to Lynch Hall been like, specifically for the staff?
Roseanne Krzanowski: It’s been sometimes complicated. We’ve appreciated the help that we received from facilities and IT, and some of the athletes came to help us move our boxes on two occasions. They showed up and we found they worked very efficiently. They cited their experience with teamwork, which they certainly showed, and that was great. Now that we’re in our spot—that was complicated too. We had to come up with a floor plan to use the space downstairs to the max so that we could fit some workstations, keep the printer, keep our workstation for circulation in there, and still have some study space. We worked it out, I think, very well, to maximize the space and still leave the faculty, their workspace there. They still have some of the same things—their mailboxes and things. I think that worked out very well. There’s currently no heat there, so that’s an obstacle.
Elizabeth Lesso: Because of that, we’ve actually had to kind of rearrange what we thought we were going to have. I think because it’s a new situation for all of us, it’s just going to be a work in progress for a little while, but I think it’ll work out. It’s just figuring out what’s best for everyone who has to use the space.
Peters: My next question we kind of answered, but what are some obstacles or challenges of moving to the new location, which you kind of said was that the heating isn’t working and maybe having to shift things around and stuff—but are there any others that maybe you hadn’t said before?
Lesso: I also think that, in a way, not being in a corner space and being where I think more students can see us is an improvement. If you’re not necessarily looking around that corner, maybe you won’t quite notice. We’ve done a lot of signage and things like that, I think that is helping.
Emily Gaudet: There were plenty of emails sent out—not that people read their emails—but a lot about the library.
Peters: All right, my next question: what are some good things that have come out of the temporary move?
Krzanowski: I think visibility is really good, though. There’s much more potential that people will come out of class. Maybe they have an assignment to do or some research, and they can see right away that there are people there to help you with research. They can make the connection. Plus, they can pass by our offices!
Lesso: First week or second week, my coworker had somebody, a senior, come from a coordinating seminar almost immediately. I think it was two days after his first class, and he just came right over and started making an appointment and working with her right away. And his class was in this building. So, I think it helped, yeah.
Peters: Do you think students are adjusting well to the resources and staff being moved to a new location?
Krzanowski: I think the word is getting out! You know, marketing’s been great. The postings they’ve been doing on social media have been great. Maddie (Maddie Vale, USJ’s social and digital media manager) did a video of different study spaces around campus, and I think that looked really good. So, if people are monitoring their email and social media, they should be aware of what is available. And we have seen a drop in the number of people asking questions. At the beginning, we did have a lot of people just coming by and asking what’s happening and where can I study? We’re happy to answer those questions and we continue to be the kind of a question place for the University. People come by, they have questions, they don’t know where Career Services is, for example, we can tell them where we go from this or that. We usually either have the answer or we know where to refer them to get the answer.
Lesso: And that’s not really different—we’ve done that forever. It’s just where we’re getting those drop-ins now.
Peters: How would you go about improving the situation if there are any improvements to be made?
Krzanowski: I think once we get the heat restored, it’ll be a more attractive place to study there. I think the CAE (Center for Academic Excellence) is doing a really good job of booking the bookable spaces around campus. Do you see any areas that could be improved? We would love to hear from students about it!
Peters: I don’t really think so. I will come to Lynch sometimes. Obviously, I have classes in here, and I see all the library resources, and so I think it’s pretty good. What about you?
Gaudet: I’d agree! Do either of you do the interlibrary loan requests? Because I sent in almost 20, and whoever oversees that was very sweet about it. You guys are just great with giving students as many resources as possible, whether it’s sending in forms online or popping into ask a question. I do think the signage downstairs is working. Even if I’m walking from here to the front entrance, I can see through and see if someone is at the desk. And so, there is some visibility. But also, it’s really cold. I think we said this, but like the heat.
Krzanowski: One thing we could improve, and we have a plan to do this, is to increase our visibility around campus. I have a request to take a table at McGovern on a Wednesday to take questions and help people. We can do that from anywhere. We might show up other places as well. And we are super available if faculty want to bring us into their classes. And we can camp outside of class if they’re having research and catch people on the way out.
Lesso: Yeah, I was thinking, McDonough will be good for that too. There’s a lot of students going there, where it is most heavily populated.
Emily: I think that’s all we have unless you guys have any other comments, questions, or last words.
Krzanowski: We’re here for you! We can be reached by phone, email, or in person. We can meet with you on Teams. You can be home in your pajamas and meet with a librarian.
Elizabeth: I’m kind of excited just to try a different building and see what opportunities come from that. We’ve never been in a different place before, so it’s just what will present itself, I guess is what I’m trying to say.
Gaudet: Thank you very much for meeting with us!