Libraries have become antiquated notions—artifacts of a bygone era when gas was $2 a gallon and the only place to watch videos was on TV. They conjure images of cobweb-covered shelves containing musty books filled with seas of Lilliputian font on subjects so obscure and esoteric that reading them aloud could subdue a room of caffeinated preschoolers chasing a litter of agitated puppies. These ancient bastions of learning were all but abandoned by the popu- lace they once enlightened upon the evaporation of knowledge into the digital realm, relegated to being used mainly as a sanc- tuary for social networking and internet surfing.
Past the double doors of San Diego State’s Dome, down two staircases of grey-speckled black carpet, past the circle of students sleeping (perhaps even drooling) in chairs that feel more comfort- able than they appear, is a treasure trove of items which would make the most digital-savvy students salivate with anticipation. The Media Center, located in the Dome’s basement, is home to more than 7,000 DVDs, 6,000 video cassettes, and 11,000 CDs. It contains computers for researching the library’s catalog, which includes more than 36,000 sound and video recordings. Private rooms are available for viewing and editing multimedia with Adobe Creative Suite 5 software. The center is also stocked with tripods, flip-cameras, USB microphones, exter- nal hard-drives and other free-to-rent audio and video equipment to satisfy the needs of the next Orson Welles. Saturday-night partygoers can cater to the needs of YouTube audiences capturing the weekly antics of a beer pong tournament champion. Several study carrels are interspersed throughout the main room for viewing video cas- settes and DVDs. Occupants can also request remotes and headphones at the counter.
The Media Center’s vast collection of movies, television shows and music is an indicator that SDSU strives to meet the needs and tastes of its students. A cursory run-through of the contemporary, pop and rock shelves reveals names such as Tom Waits, Marvin Gaye, Nirvana, Janis Ian and The Beatles. Recordings on the adjacent classical racks include Philip Glass, Lutoslawski and Brahms among such staples as Mozart and Beethoven. Other genres found in the music section include international, spoken word & prose and Latin rock.
The walls are lined with countless videos and music documentaries including “The Complete Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare,” Jane Fonda workouts and lectures ranging from Aristotelian ethics to success in the movie industry. In the middle of the center are cases stacked with DVDs and VHS tapes of movies and television shows. The films of Akira Kurosawa can be found across from the complete first season of the British version of “The Office.”
Interestingly, many new and re- turning students are unaware of the Media Center’s existence, let alone its services.
“People don’t even know about (the center), usually,” employee Alex Tait said. “They’re usually very surprised that we have movies.”
Other students use the facilities for coursework sporadically, but have no need to use the center’s free video and music rental services for leisure.
“If you’re in anatomy or biology classes, they have student boxes of bones that they give out that you can study,” junior Carlo Munar said. “But if I wanted to watch a movie, I would just do it online or at the theater.”
Sophomore Laura Dunn said she didn’t know about the Media Center, but would have used it if she had been aware of its amenities. When asked what she liked best about the library, Dunn said she enjoys the quiet environment, perfect for finishing schoolwork or simply relaxing.
“Back at my house, there are al- ways distractions. It’s nice to find a peaceful place where you can just go and study,” Dunn said.
While an astonishing inventory and useful facilities undoubtedly contribute to the Media Center’s appeal, the key element turning first-timers into familiar faces is an atmosphere completely unique to the rest of the library. It is conducive to a sense of passion, purpose and genuine pleasure, which is at times markedly different from the vibe emanating from the vast landscape of computers and bookshelves on the upper floors. Thanks in part to a friendly and welcoming staff eager to assist individuals with their needs, people can cultivate their interests and pursue a variety of activities with little environmental interference. What the Media Center guarantees, therefore, is nothing short of a rewarding and educational experience that makes it an asset for the SSDSU campus, which some mem- bers of the population have yet to discover.
