Academic Libraries Foster Key Skills in Next Generation

"Libraries are invaluable cornerstones of college and university life. They have become vibrant spaces where students can access digital information or pull classics from the shelves. In 2006, nearly 1 billion students used the library as a modern meeting place to exchange ideas or to take a study break at an in-house coffee bar. At the University of Washington, students can be found in the Learning Commons or in Suzzallo Espresso sipping lattes while deeply engaged in collaborative projects and, in response to its popularity, Seattle University's Lemieux Library is expanding and will soon have innovative learning spaces, a cafe and more spots for Internet access. Or, libraries can be a resource to tap from the convenience of a dorm room or faculty office via the Internet 24/7."