Although universities have began to digitalize entire libraries, Nicholls State University has no plans of doing so any time in the future because of the amount of students consistently using books.

University and high school libraries all around the nation have began to digitalize their book collections. Hundreds of databases have become available online for students to choose from that make finding information easier than searching through a book. The New York Times reported on a “Room for Debate” discussion about the library through students’ eyes, asking if they think school libraries actually need books or if everything should be digitalized. The majority of students interviewed believe that libraries are still the place to go if you need to read or study, but some students believe the money spent on paper copies of books could be used on something else.

“I think that there are enough books already in the library so the money could be spent on better computers,” freshman Kasey Frederick, health and performance education major from Bridge City, Texas, said.

The majority of the students in the article, however, believe that hard copies are still needed for assignments and proper studying; they believe if everything was to be digitalized, then our entire life would be spent in front of a screen.

Senior Nicholls student Kayla Prater, interdisciplinary studies major from Houston, Texas, often uses the library to study and to take advantage of the computers available.

“When I’m studying for tests I need books because I like to read them, write down important information and highlight all of the key points so I can go back later and study them some more,” Prater said. “If libraries are completely digitalized, then I feel like that takes away from the authenticity of the author’s work.”

At Nicholls, the most up-to-date and easiest resources available are the online databases, but according to the Head of Access Services John Bourgeois the resources they are proudest of are the new Subject Guides available on the Nicholls website.

The Subject Guides are pages tailored specifically to every department offered at Nicholls. Every department has a subject expert to contact to help assist with any research, including databases, books, eBooks, journals, primary resources and citing sources.
“One third of our books are eBooks, but students at Nicholls prefer the physical book,” Bourgeois said. “A lot of people associate the library with books.”

One third of the resources available in the library are eBooks which make it convenient for students to access at home or when they cannot get to the library.

“Libraries should have both books and digital text available for students because the library is not open 24/7,” Kristine Normand, junior nursing student from Niceville, Florida, said. “Books in the library are equally important because every student is different and prefers different ways to study or research.”