A place of solitude

l inding a quiet place onmost university and college campuses isvirtually impossi ble. But,however contradictory itmay seem, usually thequietest place is also one of themost widely-used places — the library

The library at LBChas developed along with the school since its beginning in1971. A major boost came in 1976 when the school purchased the librariesofFinch College andRobert Morris College. LBC's collection has grown substantially since that time and now boasts over 172,000 volumes andsubscriptions to approximately 775 periodicals

The library maintains microfilm and microfiche reader printers to reproduce its resources in those areas, including 30,000 recently purchased volumes ofEnglishLiterature and American Civilization on microfiche These newsupplies will support graduate programs now being developed

LBC alsooperates an audio-visual library which is responsible forallthe school's audio-visual equipment used inthe classrooms. According to its director, Charles Hagerty, this library stores 1600 albums, over 500 cassette tapes and filmstrips, thirty 16-millimeter films, thirty 8-millimeter films,and a number of individual slidesfor the useofthe students.

The college's main library isunderthe direction of Dr. Ernest Liddle. A staffof seven full-time professional librarians, 14 full-time clerical workers, and 30 student assistants ismaintained. According to Dr.

Library faculty: (seated) Kay Compton,MiyakoKawaquchi. (standing) Harold Agee, Charles Hagerty, Dr. Ernest Liddle (director), Richard Elmer, Russell File.

Liddle, more staff members with professional experience in the various areas of library services willbeadded asthecollege and the library expand

LBC's library now utilizestwoclassification systems, Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress; but it is in the process of converting totally to the latter.The libraries purchased in 1976 were classified by the Dewey Decimal system, but "theLibrary of Congress classification is now prevalent," said Dr.Liddle. "New libraries use it Our conversion should be completed by June of 1984."

The greatest drawback in the present library facilitiesislack ofspace However, plans are underway which will eliminate the problem Ground breaking for a new building is expected thissummer and completion isexpected within two years

It will house, among other things,the LBC library. This new structure will have over 46,500 square feet for library purposes in contrast to the present 12,000 square feet. Also included willbespacefor an archives area,media services,and various laboratories for language, music,and "hands-on" computer experience.Circulation will be computerized, and the library will be included in a regional library net-