Don’t let it go to waste! – How to use the Waseda University Library
Wed, Apr 29, 2015How do you generally use Waseda University’s library?
It is not just a place where you can borrow books! Many students are not yet taking advantage of the many facilities, services, materials, and more offered by the library. Let’s use the library in a smart way and enjoy a meaningful student life.
You can find anything among the library’s plethora of books
With over 5.7 million books, 54,000 types of periodicals, and a collection of national treasures and cultural assets, Waseda University’s library is one of the country’s foremost libraries in terms of quality and scale. In addition to the Central Library, there are libraries on each campus with materials related to the campuses’ respective academic fields.
In the research storeroom located in the central library’s basement is a collection of over 2 million publications. Students can borrow these materials and use them when writing reports.
Students can also access a wide array of electronic publications such as academic journals and newspaper articles outside of campus using the library’s authentication system.
Student voice
Genshu Ishimatsu, 3rd year student at School of Education
“Being one of the country’s foremost libraries, I am sometimes unsure of where and what to start reading at Waseda’s library. By using the library’s convenient search system, “WINE,” I can search for books based on keywords. I can also use the library’s database to access articles from newspapers and other publications. The library’s assets are an indispensable resource for writing reports and studying.”
Group study environment
The typical image of a library has students quietly studying by themselves. However, in recent years there has been an increase in spaces for students to study in groups as well as individually. Students can be regularly seen participating in group discussions and preparing for presentations.
Student voice
Daishi Kojo, 2nd year Master’s student at Graduate School of Social Sciences
“The 2nd and 3rd floors of the Central Library have 3 group study rooms. One of the rooms, “Group Study Room A,” is equipped with a whiteboard, electrical outlets, and movable desks, making this room very useful for conducting group activities. You can always hear voices of students participating in group discussions. I often use the room for my sub-seminars and circle meetings.”
Listen to music and watch films in the AV room
On the 4th floor of the Central Library is the AV room where you can listen to classical music, jazz, lectures, theatrical productions, rakugo (form of Japanese comedy), and more. You can also access a wide variety of video materials and DVDs of films, documentaries, lectures, etc. These materials, including a collection of treasured works, can be watched and listened to in the room’s booths.
Accessible reading rooms regardless of department
Reading rooms designed to support undergraduate students contain a collection of reading materials associated with their respective department. These rooms are accessible regardless of your department. There are reading materials sampled by students belonging to the department so you may come across something interesting you have never read before.
Recommendation from School of Education reading room
Momo (by Michael Ende / translation by Kaori Oshima, Iwanami Shoten Publishers)
A mysterious girl named Momo embarks on a journey to take back precious ‘time’ taken from her. Although originally a children’s novel, rereading it as a university student makes one think about the importance of life sometimes lost in one’s hectic daily grind.
Recommendation from School of Commerce reading room
Capital of The Merchant of Venice (by Katsuhito Iwai, Chikuma Shobo Publishing)
Using Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, Japanese economist Katsuhito Iwai discusses capitalism and currency in a way that is easy to understand. This is a great book for those studying economics.
Support from knowledgeable staff and student volunteers
Staff at the reference counter answer questions about searching for books and other library services. Materials currently unavailable at Waseda’s library can be requested from outside universities. Staff can also provide introduction letters for students planning to visit a different university library.
Many events are held at the library including seminars on how to search for materials and access the library database when writing reports, “Biblio Battle”, self-guided tours in the form of “stamp rallies,” and an event for familiarizing students with the library called “Library Week.” The Library’s student volunteer group “LIVS” provides services from a student’s perspective.
Student Voice
Yuri Nishimura, LIVS staff and 5th year student at the School of Commerce
“The LIVS volunteer staff plans events such as workshops to help students learn how to search for materials when writing reports, library tours, and exhibitions. Last year we held an “Escape from the library” event with the goal of familiarizing students with how to use the library. Over 600 students participated in the event. This spring as part of “Library Week,” we held an exhibition featuring student recommended books, and are currently planning other events that we think students will enjoy. We are working everyday to surprise students and help them make new discoveries.”
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