By Kirsten Mahon/tr news editor
TCC libraries are required to do more than stock the shelves with books. Librarians find materials that exercise student brains beyond the scholastic heap.
Documentaries about Barack Obama, Hunter S. Thompson, Salvador Dali and Darwin are rentable in DVD sections. Cult classics like Evil Dead, The King of Comedy and 2001: A Space Odyssey are also available.
“We’re not just here for education,” said Alex Potemkin, TR public services librarian. “Take a break, watch something funny or horror. Body builders don’t build their bodies every single day. They take a rest.”
Potemkin, among other duties, handles the interesting off-the-wall items that show up in the DVD section.
Librarians across the district agree that reading is a powerful, positive tool that helps students outside of studies. Representatives at each of the five libraries said it’s good to give the mind a rest.
Each campus library carries the concentration of study in relation to that campus. After the nursing division opened at TRE Campus, most nursing textbooks have been relocated to TR Campus.
NW Campus handles horticulture, fire technology and criminal justice. Behind its circulation desk are faculty reserve periodicals that focus on critical thinking.
“This is one way for us to meet the needs of students,” said Sandra McCurdy, NW library director.
NW Campus also tries to keep Academy Award-winning films on hand for students to check out.
“It’s nice to have things for them, things to use during their downtime,” she said.
SE Campus concentrates on hospitality and humanities.
James Foreman, SE public library services librarian, said when a request is made, he researches it and, if the request is not too off the wall to be read by others, he attempts to order the item.
“Students need a break!” he said, agreeing with the other librarians. “Reading is good, period.”
South Campus carries a variety of career materials and occupational handbooks. It recently restored its library resources with gadgets and goodies for students.
The most-used resources in all the libraries are the computers.
South Campus has acquired Kindles, iPads and flat screens to assist students passing through.
“We’re pretty eclectic,” said Erik France, South library services assistant director. “We have student workers who are a conduit for what students want.”
Danelle Toups, TR library services assistant director, said filling the shelves involves a close look at what’s popular by demand and what’s interesting. Academically, the library materials available directly support curriculum or aid study process for students.
All TCC libraries consider New York Times bestseller lists and/or movie and book reviews when ordering for their libraries.
“We were able to justify it with the budget we had when Trinity River opened,” Toups said. “We were able to order some of the really expensive documentaries out there.”
NE Campus carries paralegal and dental hygiene materials. Mark Dolive, NE library director, said its material was expensive but worth it.
“Reading is reading,” he said.
