How Do You Use the Library?

There are almost as many different ways to study at E. H. Butler Library as there are students who study here. We have some ideas to help you get the most out of your studying experience, but we want to hear from you! How do you feel about studying in the library? Please leave us your comments below.

Read on to learn more about the various study spaces available at the library.

Do you like to spread all your articles, books, and notes out in front of you? The large tables located throughout the second and third floors are perfectly suited for spreading out. Large tables are also great for group projects. Check out some of the newer tables in the back of the Curriculum Materials Lab that allow you to easily move the tables around to create the best workspace for you.

Or maybe you’re the opposite: you like to focus on one thing at a time, with nothing else competing for your attention. In that case, you might prefer the individual study carrels along the walls, located on the second and third floors, to concentrate on a tricky reading assignment.

Need to hear yourself think? Head over to the Quiet Quads, noise-free study zones on the northwest quadrants of the second and third floors. Cell phone use and conversation are not allowed in these areas, so you can be sure nothing will break your concentration.

Of course, a lot of studying these days is done with computers–through the Internet, and through our online databases that Buffalo State students have access to, both on-campus and off. Computer labs are located on the first floor in StudyQuad, Reference area, and Curriculum Materials Lab, and on the second floor in Media and the quiet Creative Studies area on the balcony above the Reference area.

Do you like to have a snack while you read? Come hang out in the library lobby, where you’ll find the Underground Cafe and lots of seating. You can also snack in the Copier Lounge (there are vending machines), and enjoy covered beverages almost everywhere in the library except in Archives and Special Collections.

If you’re a night owl (or you have a day job), you probably already know about our popular StudyQuad computer lab. This lab is equipped with over fifty computers, both PC and Mac, all connected to a scanner, printer and photocopier (black-and-white and color). You will also find wireless Internet access in the StudyQuad, and public plug-in ports for laptops. There are even two group study rooms with dry-erase marker boards to rehearse your presentations, practice your teaching skills, or study with a classmates; book one in advance to reserve it for your group. University Police officers staff StudyQuad during late-night hours. Safe Escort Programs on campus include an escort shuttle van for late-night service from StudyQuad to all parking lots and most buildings during the fall and spring semesters.

How do you use the library?