Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Making A Third Space For Student Voices In Two Academic Libraries, James Elmborg, Heidi Lm Jacobs, Kelly Mcelroy, Robert L. Nelson

Leddy Library Publications

When we think of voices in the library, we have tended to think of them as disruptive, something to control and manage for the sake of the total library environment. The stereotype of the shushing librarian pervades public perception, creating expectations about the kinds of spaces libraries want to create. Voices are not always disruptive, however. Indeed, developing an academic voice is one of the main challenges facing incoming university students, and libraries can play an important role in helping these students find their academic voices. Two initiatives at two different academic libraries are explored here: a Secrets Wall, where …