Study - Library - How to find the Place

The Library is the Place (1) where there is always a librarian on duty.

In academic, college libraries, a librarian is one who has earned a master's degree (and or higher) in Library Science or information related discipline. Typically academic entities advance based on academics earned and not timed served as in service-entities. Public libraries employ and title librarians based on local government standards, however, most will have earned an undergraduate degree in Library Science.

There are several kinds of libraries that include, but not limited to Public, School, Specialized, and Academic. Ideally, community users may freely use any library, but private specialized and college libraries may require an application, fee for a community card to use the facility or borrow items or may not be open to the general public. Be aware when choosing your library that every library will have its unique standards of operation users are expected to observe and comply. They may practice security procedures such as metal detection, bag searching, etc.

Public libraries are usually operated by a public municipality or local government and are normally open to the general population of all ages and social-economic positions. Local government will determine the requirements of a librarian; typically a public librarian will have earned either an Associate or Bachelor in Library Science and work at a reference desk. It's a wonderful place offering information services for all ages and needs. Children's reading rooms, film viewing, easy seating for adults to enjoy their periodicals, and people may consult the librarian for specific research needs. Public libraries are a fun, busy place where anyone can read and learn.

School libraries generally will serve public or private schools with pre-school, kindergarten through 12th grade and the state government will determine the librarian's academic qualifications. Their mission is to serve the students attending their school. They may not be open to the general public.

Specialized libraries are private research facilities owned by a corporation to make research services available to their employees on the company premises which include corporations, churches, museums, research production labs, health care facilities. Depending on the governing body, the librarian may be required to have earned an advanced academic degree. Their mission is to provide convenient information for their employees who may need to consult a research librarian. Most of the time, they will require a reservation if the individual corporation allows public users.

The best library is the academic college library whether you are a student or not, try to use the college library in your area for your study. No matter the culture, country, or local policy, the library is the place that processes and distributes information. If you are not a registered user of a specific library, find out the policy for public users. Most librarians in higher education will have earned a master's or above academic degree in Library Science, Information Science, or discipline required by the college they serve. Many colleges employ support staff and students to assist with practical duties to allow librarians freedom to help students with research needs. Make sure you are consulting a research librarian with your research needs. Support staff can help you find a specific title, directional and technical help, and general patron services. Student-workers offer immediate and practical support while using the library. 

Now that you have found your favorite library, you need to find the right study space and here are are a few pointers to help save time and promote concentration and hopefully eliminate all frustrating distractions:

• First, always consult the librarian for access to library policies. If you are not attending their school, this is a must. Refer to their website frequently to ensure you are compliant. 
• If the library allows, use a backpack, book bag on coasters with your items: pencils, pens, paper, books, laptop, and other learning devices, staple/tape, highlighters, earbuds/plugs. What do you normally use when you study? It's always helpful to have your supplies with you. A zipper 3-holed pouch easily found at any local retailer can hold paper clips, small scissors, pen/pencils, strait-edge ruler or bookmarks, highlighters, earbuds, packs of sanitary clean wipes, small personal hygiene items, etc. Having your items will help save time and energy for study. 
•  Ask the librarian on duty for a tour. This saves you valuable time knowing the layout before you begin and a research librarian will have the highest insight to introduce the study materials in a given area. 
• Consider your study mood and subject matter. Take time ahead to experiment with varied positions and areas in the library. Will the subject matter demand total quiet, moderate noise, or full group study noise? The noise level, seating environment, open or small spacing will either help or frustrate study effectiveness. 
• The correct chairs and desks are critical. Do you need a comfort full cushion chair or a straight wood chair? Do you prefer task coaster chair? What seating will help with the subject at hand? Experiment and have fun trying out the different seating options ahead of time. There are tables to spread out print resources and papers or study carrels if you want a private, concealed space. 
• Examine the physical environment for you and your subject. Generally, tables will invite group study in larger, open spaces while carrels will encourage quiet, private study in a closed area. Suffering from attention deficit, I always prefer a study carrel with a shelf or table facing a wall. The less distraction is the rule if the subject matter demands your fullest attention. Those who need open, larger space with minimal distraction may want to consider a large table in a large room facing a wall.
• Traffic congestion with the highest noise level varies in every library building. Printers, entrances/exits, service desks, concessions, and public restrooms will always have the most presence and noise. Your study mood and subject matter will determine if you can concentrate effectively in these areas. If you know you will need to use the printer frequently, study near a printer; the same applies if you require vending frequently. 
• Designated, specific study areas provide quiet, whisper, or group study. Quiet study areas will usually have individual carrels or tables and the area is monitored to promote quiet. Areas that allow minimal communication may be in an open, larger area with tables. Areas allowing group study and collaboration will allow open communication. If reserved rooms are not available, there may be separate study groups in one space with a higher noise level. 
•  Use your headphones, earbuds, or sanitary earplugs. These can help block out noise and help with concentration. Listening to music can encourage or distract from your study. Make sure what you listen to promotes concentration and learning rather than distract or you may need absolute quiet for a particular subject. Your own saved playlist from your listening device or laptop can be helpful. I am thankful for genre playlists that allow me the choice of folk/Woodstock, Asian traditional folk, Kpop, Gospel, Hymns, classical, TLM Gregorian chants, Ashkenazi cantors, countertenors. I have collected my favorite songs from every genre I enjoy. Sometimes quiet is necessary and earplugs can help to block out noises. 
• If the library allows, having your food and drink is a must especially if you plan to 'camp out' at the library. This saves time from packing up/unpacking for lunch. Make sure your liquids and food are contained and the food is not aromatic that would distract other users. While your main goal is to save time and energy for study, make sure you do not distract other users. Be careful of sounds and smells when you snack or use electronics. 
•  Clean your workspace with your clean wipes before unpacking and after you pack. This will make your workspace more comfortable for you and allow kind courtesy for the next user. If you don't pack wipes, use paper towels and light soap from the restroom to wipe the table. 

Remember, libraries provide usable information and a place to process the information. Your library is your place to make the 'A+.'

1. Library as Place: Rethinking Roles, Rethinking Space. (2005). [pdf paper] Council on Library and Information Resources. Available at: https://www.clir.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/pub129.pdf [Accessed 31 Aug. 2019].

Study - Financial Aid - When the money stops talking - Part 2 - How to shop 'Cheap'

Shopping 'cheap' is an art that can be learned quickly with a few ideas to help to prioritize when spending money. A word of warning when shopping second-hand: Never buy any item that cannot be laundered/cleaned with liquid house bleach such as foundation wear, shoes, fabric with fur/fleece, or fabric upholstery. Make sure any material is smooth and easily cleaned.

Now, here are a few specifics to help save money:

• Pay the high costs for only required specific branding. These expenses are routinely reimbursed, but there are always hidden costs that are freely out of pocket:
• outer uniform/suiting with specific company logo
• shoes required by the school/employer
• tangible supplies required with brand logo
• under-armor, supportive wear required
• public relations entertainment 
• Second-hand thrift stores, yard sales, are smart
• Buy outer clothing that can be professionally dry-cleaned. Dress shirts, suiting, athletic sportswear, and outer coats without fur or fleece, are safe items that can be professionally cleaned to look professional. 
• Avoid shoes, fur/fleece/flannel clothing, and any foundation clothing; they are used and may have contaminants that can not be easily eliminated. Use your own judgment if they are in the original manufactured packaging and make sure they are whites easily laundered with bleach. It is always best to buy them new at local department stores. 
• Use caution with outdated fad-fashion. Revival fads are never recommended. Select outerwear that reflects a standard, traditional, classic professional banker/finance appearance. 
• Avoid suiting with large lapels and double-breasted that may reflect popular fad from the 'Disco 1970s.' 
• Avoid suiting with tiny lapels and narrow or wide slacks as they also may reflect popular fad from the early 1960 and the bell-bottoms from the 1970s. 
• Avoid prints fabrics and stay with dark solids. Black should be worn Monday-Thursday and use navy blue or dark brown for casual Friday if permitted. Striped or plaids can be too controversial: Too wide, too loud, too thin, etc. Save the prints for fun during dress activities in your private life.
• Any tangible hard item that can be easily cleaned with household cleansers can be cheaply purchased: books, wall decor, wood furniture, office supply/equipment, stationery, rubber mats. Again, always avoid fur/fleece/porous materials and select smooth surfaces for easy cleaning. 
• A second-hand consignment may not be really less expensive
• Consignment shops are often more expensive depending on the individual exchange policy as they sell for their clients. They are traditionally selective with their clients and merchandise they sell. 
• Use them as a last resort for specific labels on clothing, home furnishing. 
• Again, the same suggestions apply as listed under second-hand thrift, yard sales. 
• Discount department stores and dollar stores can help:
• Sadly discount stores often have low prices due to mass marketing and mass supply/demand. Their prices are very low and often lower than the dollar store. Select grocery, households, electronics, toiletries, foundation wear, and hardware at these discount department stores. 
• For items over $1 at the discount department stores, shop the dollar stores to select items for $1. 
• Grocery - Eat healthy to live, not live to eat
• For suppers at home: When cooking, freeze leftovers for later. If the dish cannot be frozen, don't make it. This is great with suppers at home; 'TV dinners' from the freezer to the microwave. 
• Use the crock-pot on slow, medium for all night cooking and use for your lunches for the next three days. One chicken breast in the crock-pot will allow three lunches at work in a sandwich or on crackers. This will save a fortune on deli meals at work/school if you have access to a refrigerator. Meats and dairy must be refrigerated. 
• If your health allows and you do not have access to a refrigerator, peanut butter with celery or other raw vegetables or crackers is a great alternative to meats and dairy for lunch. Remember your goal is to save money and maintain good health. 
• Use a large thermos or sports bottle for beverages rather than purchase drinks. The drink machine or soda fountains are always expensive. They add up. 
• Utilities at home
• Keep lights, electric switches turned off when a room is not in use. Unplug any electric appliance if possible when they are not used. 
• Avoid heating/air controls and use a portable fan/heater in the room you are using. Make sure they are safe in proper working order and use with caution by moving the appliance with you to another room. Before going to bed unplug the portable and use the heat/air controls only in the bedroom you use. Close the vents in the other rooms and make sure no heat/air escapes by closing and covering the vents and using door 'draft dodgers'. Only open the vents in the bedroom you sleep in. Make sure portable appliances are unplugged from the wall to avoid fires.   
• Use blankets and quilts for lounging or sleeping to keep warm with portable heat/air devise. When asleep, the heating and air controls will keep you warm safely.
• Launder as you shower. The best way to keep foundation wear in great shape is hand washing and line drying. Use the washer/drying for large outerwear or large households such as bedding and towels or items when you want to use bleach. Line drying can cause static in fine washable pants/skirts and an annoyance at work, be sure to use a fabric wash/softener liquid if you wash by hand. Use your own judgment using the washer/dryer to prevent the static in your dress clothing. Use a delicate fabric wash/softener on dress clothing specific for dark (or light) colors and wash/dry the dark (or light) dress clothing together. This will keep the washables looking and wearing well without the dreadful static at work. 
• Cook with microwave, crock-pot, hot pot, or portable device. Use the conventional stove for larger dishes and when multiple stove eyes are necessary. The larger the appliance, the more costly the utility bill.  
• Cell phones can be very affordable by being a part of a group plan or my personal choice is the cheapest on the peg at the discount department store and pay monthly as needed. Thankfully my phone is only for call in and out without the extra features. Most of the time the employer or school will provide a cell phone with the features they require. Use wisdom when spending money on a cell. If you have a cell phone, a landline home phone should not be necessary.
• Travel gas and accommodations. Always use caution in every environment.
• If you live near a store, simply walk if possible and if the area is safe. A roller cart is wonderful to shop with if it stays open. It's a good idea to ask the merchant immediately to avoid shoplifting suspicion. 
• When parking at a shopping center, stay parked and walk to various shops. Remember to use caution and wisdom regarding area safety.
• When staying in hotels, don't be shy to stay 'cheap.' Research the hotel: location, health rating, and most valuable public reviews. Personal safety, clean, and bug-free are the priorities. Always carry your own bathroom cleanser and wear aqua/shower shoes in the tub/shower. 

Theses ideas may be wordy but will open doors to more great ideas to save money for the most important expenses in your life. 

May you always enjoy the highest best in your life.