Graduate Students and Faculty Report Favorably on PC Workstations Provided in the University Libraries’ Scholar Carrels

Beginning Spring Semester 2007, the University Libraries initiated a pilot program to provide computer workstations and selected software applications in study carrels assigned to graduate students and faculty in Bracken Library.

With all 33 available computers being placed in service, the pilot proved very popular. In addition, one individual opted for equipment to supplement a personal laptop. The purpose of the program is to increase the productivity of graduate students and faculty who may not have a personal laptop available to them when using the study carrel. The workstation provides access to common software such as Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, among others. Because the computer is connected to Ball State’s powerful network, the person also has access to files and records. Of course, the person can also print documents from the study carrel.

Jerry White, a graduate student in Educational Leadership, was among those who participated in the program. “I could not begin to count the hours this service saved me,” he said. “When my computer monitor died, the staff was quick to respond. I give your staff an A+.”

Response from students and faculty underscored the benefits of the computer loans to their research and productivity. The pilot period also gave libraries’ staff opportunities to fine-tune operational procedures and guidelines for the continuation of the program.

Demand for individual study carrels almost always exceeds supply. There are plans to add computers to several more carrels this summer.

For more information, contact Denise W. Kinney, Ball State University Libraries’ Secretary to the Library Assistant Deans, DKinney@bsu.edu, (765) 285-1307.