As a member of that lucky group that doesn't have Friday classes, I usually try to find places to go so I can procrastinate on my weekend homework.
And more often than not, I wind up at Schlow Centre Region Library. A 10-minute trek leads me to the warm, welcoming building on South Allen Street, and I take my time sifting through the limited yet delightful collection of fiction.
Every time I go, I am absolutely amazed by the quantity of people stuffed into this establishment. Seriously, this place is as happenin' as the HUB lawn on a sunny day or the dining commons at 6 p.m. OK, that's an exaggeration, but the place is busy.
Five people, easily, wait in front of me in line at the circulation desk. Locals crowd the computers, kids paw through the DVDs, and I consistently bump into the same older woman as we both scan the shelves of fiction.
Quite obviously, Schlow is a cornerstone of the State College community. However, if students are overlooking one gem in State College, it would probably be this library.
Arguably, the Pattee and Paterno libraries have far more extensive collections, but these libraries are often difficult to navigate and don't usually carry the most popular items. Essentially, they're research libraries.
In a smaller package, Schlow has it all -- new DVDs, periodicals and books -- and everything is free. College students always seem to be on the hunt for free stuff, so why is the local library overlooked in favor of bookstores, magazine subscriptions and trips to Blockbuster? A visit to Schlow is one of the best time-saving and money-saving decisions you can make.
But while you're enjoying the library's resources, imagine how you would feel if they were truncated -- or taken away completely. This is the reality, as libraries are currently facing possible statewide budget cuts.
According to Schlow's Web site, the state of Pennsylvania's as-yet-unpassed 2009-2010 budget could cut the library's funding by 50 percent. However, if the library doesn't receive level funding, palpable problems will result. As a few examples, the electronic Power Library databases will be eradicated, and library programs, staff, hours and new material purchases will all be trimmed.
As a self-proclaimed lover of libraries, the official "Class Bookworm" in high school -- the daughter of a librarian, no less -- this hurts.
Judging by my experiences, the library should be hiring more staff, opening for longer hours and purchasing more materials to satisfy the substantial group of State College library users. (Purchasing new materials is of particular importance to me right now, as I impatiently linger at No. 32 on the Schlow waiting list for the new Nicholas Sparks book.)
Schlow has emblazoned its cry for help all over the library and on its Web site. Some books are wrapped with paper that reads, "This is an endangered species." Upon entry to the library, letter-writing station has been set up for patrons to prepare personal notes to send to Pennsylvania legislators.
As we all descend upon Happy Valley, we accept it as our home and receive the privilege of enjoying its services. When it comes to Schlow, let's appreciate the gift we've been given while we've still got it.
Before I left the library during last week's visit, I grabbed a few free pamphlets about the library's current circumstances. Amid the staggering messages of impending doom, I found a great library quote by Henry Ward Beecher: "A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life."
And I know, as I spot an older gentleman poring over the large print section and a middle-aged woman doing research on one of the library's computers, that Schlow is definitely a necessity of life to the locals of State College.
