Ask A Student: UC Students Talk of Their Library Experience

The University of Cincinnati welcomes international students from across the globe. Lisa Kain describes herself as a truly international student as she has literally lived “across the globe.” Originally from Delhi, India, Lisa has lived and studied in several countries including Pakistan, South Africa, and the United States. Her father works for the Indian Embassy, so Lisa’s family would move approximately every three years when she was growing up. She recently visited her family in Fiji where her father is currently stationed.

As a second year student enrolled in aerospace engineering, Lisa spends a great deal of her time studying in the Engineering Library, located in Baldwin Hall. Her favorite spots in the
Engineering Library are one of the three group study rooms as they offer a personal space for her to work that is quiet. She also enjoys studying in the grand Reading Room with its painted murals, wooden desks, and reading lamps.

Before heading to one of the study rooms to work, Lisa often stops first at the Circulation Desk to check out one of the textbooks on reserve for her classes. Many science and engineering professors place textbooks on reserve for their students, which Lisa finds as a great benefit since textbooks can be very expensive. Reserve items may be checked out for a two-hour period for use within the library, which gives Lisa ample time to do her engineering work.

Lisa also is familiar with UC’s Langsam Library. While taking a history course this past summer, she accessed the library’s microforms for the first time. She was researching the Louisiana Purchase and found some primary documents on this historical event. Microreaders, located on the 4th floor of Langsam Library, made it easy for Lisa to scan the microforms and create pdfs that she could then save, print, or even e-mail.

From textbooks that are on reserve to primary documents on microfilm to a quiet place to study, remember to stop in to any of the 10 University Libraries when you are in need of information sources for research or for a place to work. While you’re here, look for Lisa Kain, as chances are good she will be studying in the library.

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