How students experience the CMU Libraries
On CMU’s campus, students experience the University Libraries in many different ways — through study, research, collaboration, and discovery.
The following reflections are drawn from student voices featured in Libraries stories over the past year.
Locking In and Finding Rhythm
“The University Libraries is one of the few places on campus where I don't feel rushed. At a school like CMU, I think it's so valuable to have a place of relative calm and of no expectations to relax, meet friends, or get work done.” –Moira Doolittle, College of Fine Arts
“The University Libraries is a great place to study and get things done. It’s where I end up whenever I really need to lock in. I love Hunt Library as a place to study!! It always makes me feel calm and peaceful.” –Riona Duncan, Dietrich College
“There’s something about seeing other students deeply focused on their work that can be motivating in itself; it makes you want to push through your own procrastination. The Libraries provides exactly that kind of atmosphere. Sometimes, being around that kind of focus is what you need to get back on track.” –Kwame Asare, School of Computer Science
“The University Libraries to me represents reliability. Whenever I need a last-minute study spot before an exam, a place to meet up with my group, or even just borrowing some specific tech gadgets, I know that I can always depend on the Libraries to help me out.” –Christina Tang, Tepper School of Business
Exploring Shared Resources
“I love that the Libraries serves as the cornerstone of all of our education — no matter your major, it's a space we all share and collaborate in.” –Eesha Nagpal, College of Fine Arts
“The University Libraries is where I feel the most connected to the resources available on campus. To me, it is a space of learning and discovery.”
“Carnegie Mellon doesn’t have rare books just for the sake of having them. They’re here to be looked at, felt, and read! In other words, they’re here for you — and, by extension, the Poser Center is here for you. I want other students to know how easy it is to schedule a research appointment (or wander in) and engage with rare books. It’s an experience driven by curiosity and exploration — you don’t necessarily need a set plan to do useful, generative, exciting research here.”
“My favorite item in the collection is the complete works of Plato in the original Greek published by Aldus Manutius in 1513.” –Claire Thurston, College of Fine Arts
“We have librarians who specialize in different fields, such as the Arts and Humanities and STEM Librarians. There are also a lot of databases and libraries we have access to. If you want a physical book that can only be found at Pitt, we can get it to you. If you want a textbook that everyone already borrowed from CMU and the only available copy’s at the University of Washington, we can ship the book over and you can pick it up from Hunt or Sorrells. There are a lot of things available to you, more than you realize.” –Tzushan (Violet) Chu, College of Fine Arts
“I absolutely adore the Musical Theater/Opera section on the fourth floor! It truly is so special to have access to so many scripts and scores.” –Moira Doolittle, College of Fine Arts
Connecting with Community
“When I think of University Libraries, I think of community. Each floor has a wealth of resources and wonderful people, from IDeATe and the Archives, to the Fine and Rare Book Room and the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation.” –Amanda Barajas, BHA
“The University Libraries mean community, memory, and access. Everyone comes in with a story, and the Archives help keep those stories — preserving what makes the CMU experience unique. It’s where ideas become findable and our history stays alive.” –Luna Yu, BHA
“As a second year undergraduate I applied to [the bioinformatics hackathon] kind of on a whim, but I'm very glad I did. I really enjoyed talking with people who are much further ahead of me in their career progressions and they have all sorts of different backgrounds.” –Tyler Yang, School of Computer Science
“The University Libraries are definitely a second home for me; the Archives in particular is my favorite part (though I may be biased) since there’s so much history of every facet of CMU! Being able to handle Scotch n Soda posters from 1997 or Carnival records from 1973 really makes me feel like I’m part of something much bigger than the ‘now’.” –Angie Reyes-Meza, Dietrich College
“My mom graduated from CMU in 1993 and I love to look at her edition of The Thistle in the Archive, giving me a small window into her college experience. My dad's books that he wrote when he was a college professor are kept in the stacks in Hunt which makes me feel connected to him academically as well as personally. It is really special to me that the Libraries is preserving not only the university's history, but my own family history, and that my work as a Library Assistant helps to support this institution.” –Hailey Cohen, Dietrich College
Learning by Doing
“Librarians are so knowledgeable about so many interesting things and different resources. You don’t even need a fully formed understanding of the project you’re working on before you reach out — they can help wherever you are in the research process.” –Violet Pronko, Dietrich College
“I had no idea just how many events are put on at and for the Libraries! Truly take advantage of these opportunities for learning, growth — and free food.” –Moira Doolittle, College of Fine Arts
“Participating in the [Libraries] hackathon was an incredible experience that challenged us to think creatively and collaboratively. It was exciting to see our ideas come to life and move the needle in science. Events like these foster innovation and teamwork, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a dynamic environment at CMU.” –Arth Banka, Mellon College of Science
“There’s so many amazing opportunities available, from exhibitions to zine-making, that I think anyone could find something that suits their tastes. You don’t need to be doing research for a class to enjoy the Libraries — we’re here for everyone! –Angie Reyes-Meza, Dietrich College
“I appreciate how accessible the [IDeATe] program is for beginners. When I first came to CMU, I hadn’t even heard of any of the industry-standard tools we use in IDeATe, but these classes helped me build a solid understanding of what’s “under the hood” and how the things we see in games and films are actually made. It’s a community that lowers the barrier to entry and encourages lots of exploration for sure.” –Ria Itty, College of Fine Arts
Did you know Hunt Library is also home to the Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology (IDeATe) Network? For more IDeATe reflections, see this companion story.