No more stressful studying
Breaking the bubble
Kaylyn Myers
Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Features
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While I love the Julia Rogers Library and have spent many late nights there, the atmosphere of stressful students is a little overwhelming for my taste. With fellow classmates asking me how many sources we need for a presentation (and the temptation for me to ask them as well), the fluorescent lighting, and tempting bean bags, it's easy to get distracted or bored of sitting at the same exact table every night.
Fortunately, there is solution right down the street. The Towson Library, a branch of the Baltimore County Public Library system, offers a fresh and inviting ambiance devoid of distracting students.
The Towson Library might not be open as late as the Goucher library is, but I settled quickly in the new environment. It is easy to get lost in the library, but there are several tables where you can work, as well as outlets to plug in your computer. Wi-Fi is available for free to anyone with a laptop or PDA, but it also has many public computers for use as well.
The best thing about visiting the Towson Library to study was the peaceful feeling that overcame me when I walked in. Everyone seemed so darn happy. Reading books, perusing the shelves, sitting in on a lecture - no sign of stress or deadlines here.
Although I easily could have become distracted on the Internet, which is prone to happen quite often (checking my email every five minutes - you never know when someone is going to email you or when Facebook is going to notify you with another group invitation!), I sat down at a computer to type a paper and the words came quicker than ever before. Maybe it was just a personal experience, but I was - to put it poetically - inspired by my new surroundings.
For the child in all of us, the Kids Kingdom (designed like a castle) is an adventurous gateway to all of the children's books we still know and love.
In addition to just being a good study place, the library also hosts a number of events. The library is celebrating National Poetry Month by having a Poetry Sharing on April 26th at 7 p.m. Also, Jay Caragay, a Mid-Atlantic Barista Finalist, is in the midst of hosting a series of coffee events, including coffee tasting and coffee brewing. On May 23 at 6 p.m., he will demonstrate how to make espresso with a home espresso brewer.
The Friends of the Towson Library is hosting the 13th Annual Book Sale from April 19-22 where books, CDs, DVDs, and videos will be for sale. A $10 admission fee is required, but the merchandise is priced fairly cheap - perfect for a college student's (or a professor's!) budget.
The easiest way to get to the library would be driving; however, it is within walking distance, the #8 bus (which picks up at SuperFresh) stops there, or it is within walking distance of where the CollTown Shuttle drops off at Towson on weekends.
Although it's a trek, studying at the Towson library is at the least, a change of scenery from the Goucher library. But don't worry, Julia. We'll be back for all of those great late-nighters.
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