Southern Nazarene University’s library provides students with a comforting environment to study, read, and chat. The library not only gives students space to work and hang out, but the library staff also offers essential resources and knowledge to assist those in need.
Christina Winkle, Catalog and Collections Librarian and class of 2000 graduate, expresses her favorite thing about working for the SNU library. “My favorite aspect is the satisfaction I get from helping students, staff, and faculty find something they need. I love to see someone excited when I can find a rare book or article for them, or when I can purchase a book that they requested. It’s like watching a kid at Christmas open the present they wanted!” Winkle continues, “I also love when someone on campus suggests a title for us to purchase and add to our library. That makes me feel like I am really meeting a need.”
Anne Brynnett, Circulation Desk and Interlibrary Loan Coordinator, shares her experience working at the SNU library. “In my former life, I was an English teacher, and not everybody wanted to take English; it’s a tough sell. But in the library, people come to me and I have something that they want. I get the chance to meet whatever needs they have, whether it’s for information or to borrow any items.”
Each library staff has a story about what brought them to SNU. Julie Lyles, Archivist for History Material, is no exception. Lyles shares, “I grew up here in Bethany. My Mom worked at SNU, and I spent most of my childhood running around this campus.” Lyles adds, “I love the history of the school and getting to share a space with students.”
With finals on the horizon, the library staff has extended weekend hours to allow students more opportunities to utilize this study space. Lyles explains, “The past two years we were open on Saturdays from noon to 5:00 pm. This year, we decided to push it back to 1:00 pm on Saturdays because we noticed that most students were not coming in until later in the day. However, after hearing from the Town Hall meeting that students wanted more hours, we decided to extend our hours from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm for the rest of the semester.”
SNU’s library staff wants to help students succeed in their college careers, and they go above and beyond to do so. Do not miss out on taking advantage of the library during this busy time and do not forget to thank your librarians!
Photo by: Jalan Washington