Although Ramaker Library is located in the center of Northwestern’s campus, not all students take advantage of it. Junior Caiti Shaw has not checked a single book out of the library in the three years she has been on campus.
“I haven’t needed any books out of it, and I can’t study in a place that is so big and quiet yet has so many people in it,” Shaw said.
Although Shaw has never checked a book out, she doesn’t have any phobia involving books or the library.
“I’m not avoiding the library at all. I even have meetings in there with people who do like to use the library to get work done,” Shaw said. “Besides that, there is just no reason for me to use it if I cannot get my school work done in it.”
Although Shaw hasn’t recently checked out a book, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t enjoy reading.
“In high school, I was a huge bookworm,” Shaw said. “I would read a book a week—maybe more sometimes. I didn’t own that many books, so I was in the library checking out books at least once a week. I love reading. If I didn’t have as much schoolwork as I do, I would be reading all the time.”
When asked if any profesors knew about her lack of library usage, Shaw responded, “I don’t think they know, but I guess now the secret’s out.”
Shaw is majoring in athletic training, a field that appears to take minimal use of library resources.
“I think I have visited the website before, but besides that I haven’t used any resources,” Shaw said. “The only effect my major has on the library is the fact that when we write papers we need interlibrary loans from places sometimes, but even then I don’t use the library to get an interlibrary loan on a book.”
Shaw also enjoys a good movie, but even that isn’t enough of a reason for Shaw to use the library.
“I do love movies, but I have not gone to the library to check one out,” Shaw said.
Shaw said she was optimistic about making it all the way through her college career without ever checking a book out.
