Ranging from seniors preparing to graduate to sophomores in the midst of their college careers, each of the students asked to speak as part of MU Libraries panel discussion on undergraduate African-American experiences shared their thoughts Wednesday afternoon at Ellis Library.
The three students, senior Lakeisha Williams, junior Phillip Simpkins and sophomore Calandria Frazier, shared stories about their experiences using the library during the span of their MU academic careers.
The discussion, presented by the Diversity Action Committee and MU Libraries, was part of continuing series of Black History Month themed activities.
During the panel, Simpkins said students should look into studying in the library, especially if students are in organizations where a study hall is a requirement.
“As a kid I would go to my library and it was a nice size, but it was nowhere close to this,” Simpkins said.
Interim Chief Diversity Officer Noor Azizan-Gardner moderated the event. Azizan-Gardern said the goal of the panel was to have an interactive discussion between the audience and the chosen panelist.
Each of the panelists related their experiences in the MU libraries back to their childhood reading habits. After answering questions from Azizian-Gardner, the students began a question and answer session with attendees.
Panelists also discussed the technology currently being used by students in the library and ways to encourage minority students to pursue a career in library services.
“I love to read,” Frazier said. “I was at the library all the time when I was younger. I never really thought about being a librarian, but I probably would have thought about it if somebody had said ‘Do you have a career in mind? Have you thought about this?’”
Frazier said when she first arrived at MU, she didn’t use Ellis Library very often because she was intimidated by it. She said now she often comes to the fourth floor of Ellis to catch up on reading and studying.
“I think the reason I started coming now is because a lot of my friends have done it,” Frazier said. “Why not give it a try? I can come here, I can get work done, I won’t probably talk to a lot of people because I won’t see a lot of people, and just get my work done and feel so accomplished.”
When Azizan-Gardner asked each of the participants if they had found any negatives within the MU library system, each said there were positives and negatives that came from studying in the library. William’s said she found the library to be a little drafty, but she appreciates it nonetheless.
“The staff is phenomenal,” Williams said. “They are very welcoming and are always willing to help you.”
Williams said Ellis has a lot of good things to offer, but she is not a library studier.
“It functions the way a library is supposed to,” Williams said.