MSU President's column for Traill County Tribune
January 17, 2015
Let’s all go to the library!
The frigid temperatures we’ve been experiencing around here lately are the perfect motivation to cozy up with a good book. We who live in this area are fortunate to have easy access both to the Mayville Public Library and Mayville State’s Byrnes-Quanbeck Library. The purpose of each library is a bit different, but both are available to the entire community. Each library provides wonderful opportunities to help accommodate the desire to immerse yourself in a good read that has the potential take your mind far away from the cold and snow.
The main function of the Byrnes-Quanbeck Library is to support the teaching and learning that is central to Mayville State University, but as with other areas of the university, we are able to share these resources with the public and help our community members find their way through the information-rich world.
With a complimentary library card, community members are able to become patrons of the Byrnes-Quanbeck Library. This gives patrons access to a variety of subscription databases, some of which are funded through the North Dakota State Library and available to all North Dakota residents. Others are specifically purchased by the Byrnes-Quanbeck Library for the unique information needs of our students, faculty, and staff.
Of special interest to community patrons is the e-book and audiobook collection available through Overdrive. This service allows you to check out books and download them to your tablet, e-reader, computer, or smart phone. While our collection is not extensive, we do have agreements with other university libraries, so you can find and download books from their e-book and audiobook collections as well.
Popular reading material is also available in print form in the Byrnes-Quanbeck main collection. Our librarians do their best to purchase any fiction and nonfiction that appears on the New York Times best seller list. Children’s and young adult books are available as well.
Traditionally, community patrons have come to the Mayville State library for assistance with genealogy and local history research. Copies of the Traill County Tribune dating back to 1937 are on file, and it is possible to borrow older editions on microfilm from the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Community members have also appreciated the Inter-Library Loan services, through which they can borrow books, movies, and other items from library collections around the world.
I encourage you to stop by the library and check out the beautifully remodeled facility. It’s impressive! You may recall that the library received a facelift as part of the project which included the addition of the new home of the Division of Education and Psychology. The library has become a popular place for students to study, relax between classes, and meet for group projects. The Emil Seim Reading Room in the lower level features a variety of newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. It is a comfortable place to go and catch up with all of your favorite periodicals.
When you’re there, please be sure to say hello to our friendly library staff, Kelly Kornkven, Aubrey Madler, Marjorie Fugleberg, and Shannon Hofer. These ladies are assisted by a very helpful group of Mayville State students who work part-time in the library.
The Byrnes-Quanbeck Library is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., during the fall and spring semesters. The library is closed on holidays. For more information, you may call the library at 701-788-4819 or go to www.mayvillestate.edu/library.