Why I Love... Syllabus Week

The students are back on campus and, boy, does that make me happy. While I love the summer months because we can finish major projects (like moving HUGE collections) with minimal disruptions, I absolutely adore that time of year when our students come back.

I love syllabus week because students come to the library eager for a new (or their first) semester. There's a sense of positivity and possibility that does not occur at other points in a year. Syllabus week is fantastic because it means the library is back in action. There are books to be collected, articles to be found, and new study areas to scope out.

A library needs people to come to life. Sure, we can much of our jobs online these days, but the heart of an academic library is the pulse of the students. They fill the tables, browse the shelves, and ask questions at the desk. Their actions give the library a sense of purpose. Their needs offer a renewed sense of direction.

Syllabus week is the best time of the year because there's no sense of stress from papers and projects or dread of deadlines. Instead, the library is alive with curiosity and wonder. Just as it should be.

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