I never knew about using a library until I got admission into the university. When I was a kid and in our school then there was an artwork on the wall that said “Always be silent in a library”. I have read it countless times but I never knew what a library looked like.
Even when I got to secondary school I wasn’t opportune to attend a school with a library in it. As I never knew the use or importance of it. Even throughout my first semester in the university I only stared at the library from a distance. All my thoughts were that libraries are for special students.
Not until I realized the importance of the library myself. No one taught me when and how to use the library. That very day I just made a decision that I want to enter this place to see what it looks like. And then if I am restricted I will know I have taken the step and then seek guidance even if I am wrong.
One day I summoned the courage and visited the library for the first time in my life. I thought there would be a strict check while entering but it was actually free for all. All I had to do was to drop my bags in a cloakroom. Which I did.
Then with my ID card on me, I headed straight to the library. The first thing I realized was that the atmosphere in the library is so different from the outside, compared to the noise from the lecture halls and distractions, the library was extremely silent.
For the first two weeks, I used the library. I went there to sleep.
The library helped me in different ways. I got familiar with the ways and setups, and everything was arranged in accordance. You just have to find the bookshelf you need then get the book you need and read as much as you can.
Apart from that they also have the Electronic section where one can have access to the computer and then read online. Ever since I visited the library I was able to expand my knowledge with different books selections.
Another thing I could take advantage of in the library is the silent and serene environment. When you read you get full focus and concentration. Compared to reading elsewhere.
If I am to read on my phone I know what it takes to even finish up a page. The distraction at times is always disturbing and most times I always find it difficult to get full concentration compared to reading physical books.
Even most times when I have PDFs to read I prefer to have it printed out and then go to the library to read.
Everything comes with their advantage, the use of physical libraries cannot be scrapped. The only thing is that they should be more advanced as time passes by and not just some old store where books are stored and visited like a museum.
This is my response to the HIVE LEARNERS weekly prompt in the hive-learners community for the Week 158 Edition 2 and the topic to be discussed is WHO NEEDS LIBRARY
