Journalism Library to merge

Media Credit: Lindsey Swanson/The Lantern With the Journalism and Thompson libraries closed, the Science and Engineering Library is a good option for students.

At this time next year, the newly-renovated Thompson Library will be a crucial resource for students, especially those studying journalism.

At the end of summer quarter, the Journalism Library was permanently closed. As part of the Thompson Library renovation project, plans were made to transfer all materials to the Thompson Library, according to Jim Bracken, assistant director of University Libraries.

"The important thing to remember is that we are not throwing out any materials," Bracken said. Circulated volumes are temporarily held at Ackerman Library, while reference materials and services can be accessed at Sullivant Library. Items formerly found in the Journalism Library will begin integration into the Thompson Library's collection beginning May 2009.

An ever-decreasing daily gate count and a greater emphasis on Web media were factors in deciding to shut down the Journalism Library, Bracken said.

One of many departmental libraries on campus, the Journalism Library was located on the first floor of the Journalism building on the corner of Neil Avenue and West 18th Avenue and was home to 20,000 volumes.

Associate Professor Sharon West said she used the library often while teaching and said she frequently sent students to the library to access various information. She agrees that the Internet and new technology make having a library nearby the classroom a less significant asset.

"Just ten years ago the move would have been a disaster," West said. "Now students are more media-savvy and can access the same information without a library being in the same building." Bracken said the Thompson Library will be a greater resource for journalism students because it will also hold materials related to the humanities and social sciences.

"Not only will the journalism collection be located in a better facility, but the students will be surrounded by more information related to the field," Bracken said.

Associate Professor Felecia Ross said that although the new location may be less convenient, finding journalism materials in the Thompson Library will be a positive change for students and faculty.

"It's a good move to put everything in one place and to be able to access all things pertaining to journalism and communication," Ross said.

The vacant space the Journalism Library has left behind has been given to the university and will be used however is deemed fit.

Michelle Sullivan can be reached at sullivan.423@osu.edu.