Libraries Help Students Explore Critical Thinking, Visual Rhetoric

... Our Librarians are Pretty Cool, too

Libraries are known for being great places to get information, do some research, have quiet time, and check out books or other media. At Ball State University Libraries, all of this and more is readily available, yet a recent conversation with Dr. Adrienne L. Bliss of Ball State’s Department of English reminds us about a broader, richer scope of the library’s role on campus.

“The library supports the concept of learning in that it enhances critical thinking,” she said. “Critical thinking is about interacting with the world, problem solving and so forth, so when we visit the library students learn to find what they need to solve problems, and that includes using the maps, the technology, the space, and the café, if needed.”

Dr. Bliss mentioned the trend of visual rhetoric is being modeled in the library. Throughout the library, visual rhetoric can be found: the study of how document design (use of illustrations, graphs, typography and layout) communicates as opposed to aural or verbal messages. Visual rhetoric also examines the relationship between images and writing. In this regard, the library’s signage and plasma screen slides communicate a range of important messages to students. In addition, one slide welcomes students in a variety of languages, thus, recognizing the importance of international students.

Signs, posters and the slides use short messages and photographs to remind visitors about
· vending machines in the lower level of Bracken Library
· the availability of help from librarians
· the range of resources such as new collections, foreign films, DVDs, and laptops for check-out and
· the necessity of not leaving personal belongings unattended.

Dr. Bliss believes that the library plays a significant role in the successful retention of freshman at BSU and that reference librarians are a key piece of the library’s service to the campus community. She encourages students in her English composition classes to get advice from librarians if they are stuck on a research project or if they need to narrow a topic for a paper. She tries to put “a face” on the library by personalizing the services offered by our librarians for example by telling her students, “Brenda is your librarian. Go talk to her!”

On many mornings during the week, you’ll find students finalizing their English papers in the New Books and Bestsellers corner while Dr. Bliss confers with others. She keeps “office” hours there on occasion because students prefer to meet with her in the convenient, comfortable setting of Bracken centrally located on campus.

“Everything we need is here,” she said. "Technology, research tools, music, movies, even comfy chairs to nap in."

The scope of library services utilized by Dr. Bliss goes beyond the first floor. She takes students to instruction sessions offered by Technology Training Services, such as a Web design class. And she looks for ways to engage library personnel in her classroom, such as a visit each semester by Fritz Dolak who discusses copyright issues with students.

“He makes learning fun,” she said. “His use of animation and photos in PowerPoint presentations really captures the students’ attention.”

With continual outreach to faculty, including the liaison program, we hope more faculty will engage in the full range of outstanding services offered at the library.