Just in time for the holidays, those who enjoy studying to music can gather at the south end of the Harold B. Lee Library second floor in the new music study area.
The Lee Library set up the music study area at the request of students who submitted the idea to the Student Advisory Council Bright Ideas Web site. Library administrators chose the south end of the second floor because it is not near any reference desks, and it has enough study tables to accommodate those who like the musical study atmosphere.
“We didn’t want to take over anyone’s favorite quiet corner, so after looking at many different areas, we decided that the second floor would be the best,” said Joe Hardie, president of the Library Student Advisory Council.
One week’s worth of music will play softly in a random order so students will not repeatedly hear the same songs. Usually the music will be classical, but during December selections will include holiday favorites.
“It took awhile for the speakers and wiring to be installed, but it is exciting that we were able to help implement other students’ ideas in the library,” Hardie said.
Student ideas also prompted the library to set up a Facebook page. Library patrons can now become fans of the Harold B. Lee Library on Facebook, and can visit the page for updates about library news and events.
Any other ideas or requests for the library can be submitted at http://brightideas.byu.edu. All ideas will be reviewed by the student council.
The library has also launched a beta version of a new Web site, which includes a next-generation search engine, ScholarSearch. This new search tool allows students to find scholarly material that they will not find through Google or other search tools.
Additional ScholarSearch features include:
• Most relevant items listed first
• Filters to help narrow the search
• Real-time availability information
• Table-of-contents details
• User reviews and tagging
• Save citations or search statements
ScholarSearch is a functional beta, but it is still under development. Patrons can use it and submit their feedback to the library.
For more information, contact Roger Layton, Harold B. Lee Library communications manager, at (801) 422-6687 or roger_layton@byu.edu, or Joe Hardie, Library Student Advisory Council president, at (801) 699-8180 or allamerican04@hotmail.com.
Writer: April Chalk
