FIRST: Kent State University Library

The Kent State University Library serves as a home base for many students.

Voted as the best place to study in The Kent Stater’s “Best of Kent” edition for the 12th year in a row, Dean Kenneth Burhanna of the University Libraries said he feels proud.

“It’s our community telling us this, and it really reaffirms that we’re doing some of the right things,” he said.

The library’s resources expand beyond just providing study spaces. Burhanna said there are exercise bikes in different locations to get active, statistical counseling services, Special Collections and Archives, a Student Multimedia Studio, research databases, equipment available for checkout and more.

Jasmine Jefferson, outreach and engagement librarian, said library staff is committed to providing a welcoming environment composed of people willing to help.

“If we see a person in the stacks who looks confused, our goal is to always say, ‘Hey, how are you doing? Can we help you with that?’” Jefferson said. “So just having this mindset of always being there to help, I think, is great and makes them feel comfortable.”

Jonathan Popescu, a sophomore architecture student, said he remembered the first time he came to the library.

“There’s someone that literally came to me to help me print when I didn’t know how,” Popescu said. “I didn’t even need to ask, that was the funny thing. There’s a lot of help here if you need it.”

Popescu said he most enjoys the lounge and computer areas of the library, along with the amount of space it offers.

“I like that it’s quiet, and there’s a lot of different specialized places,” he said.

Ashley Burgess, a second-year nursing major, said she studies at the library every time she’s on campus, which is three days per week.

“Everyone that works here has been really helpful,” Burgess said. “I’ve had some questions, and they’ve all answered them.”

She said she likes having the Starbucks on the first floor and the environment of being able to talk and know she’s not disrupting anyone.

Jefferson said the library has worked hard to make the library a “hub” of all types of services that support student success.

“We can pretty much help you with anything that you need even if we don’t have the answer to a question, and it does not have to be library-related. We can either help you find the answer or help connect you to somebody who can help you further,” she said.

There are subject librarians who can help with research papers and projects one on one, the Writing Commons, academic tutoring and an online chat forum where students can ask research-related questions.

“There’s something here for everyone,” Burhanna said. “When I talk to a student for the first time, I go, ‘What’s your favorite spot?’ And they all have one, they’re all able to tell me.”

He said he also hears from alumni about how the library served them during their time at Kent State. Often, they ask if “their spot” is still there, and it’s always different.

“I would just encourage you just to do a walk-through,” he said. “It only takes five minutes. Better yet, go up to our services desk and say hello, because I think you’re going to find there’s some surprises here that you might not be aware of.”

SECOND: Scribbles Coffee Company

Scribbles Coffee Company remains the longest-standing family-owned coffee shop in Kent since its opening in 2007.

Unique due to its interactive nature, the shop keeps paper on each table for customers to scribble and has chalkboards open for drawing on.

Owner Beth Budzar said in an email that most of her staff members were once regular customers.

Destin Cashdollar, an employee at Scribbles for six years, said she found out about the shop while she was a student at Kent State.

“I used to come and study here, so then I got a job here,” Cashdollar said.

Cashdollar said not only do students regularly come to the relaxed environment to study, but people who hold remote jobs come to the coffee shop as well.

“It’s easier to get engaged if everyone around you is also doing work,” she said. “I think it’s just like that herd mentality of everyone working.”

Budzar said the shop’s drinks keep students motivated, and her goal is to create an environment where everyone feels safe and welcome.

“Pop in your earbuds, grab your drink and you have just created the perfect study spot,” Budzar said.

THIRD: Kent Free Library

The Kent Free Library offers a familiar space for students to study at.

Located within a walkable distance of downtown businesses and equipped with printing stations, open study spaces and free Wi-Fi and parking, Director Stacey Richardson said the library is convenient and comfortable for students.

“A lot of students from Kent State probably are familiar with their hometown public library, so another public library feels kind of like a safe space for them,” Richardson said.

Rooms can be reserved for study sessions, and Richardson said she often sees students come and stay awhile.

“They bring their food or their Starbucks or their snacks for the day, and then they kind of just post up with their laptops at a small, quiet space they can find somewhere and hang out for a couple hours,” she said.

Along with the space being convenient, it’s also clean and safe with people coming and going during the library’s almost 70 open hours per week, Richardson said.

“If there’s ever anything that a student needs help with, whether it’s a research item or finding a resource or requesting materials to be sent here from another library, we’re happy to help students,” she said. “And we can certainly always get library cards for any student … that way, they can check out fun stuff, too.”

Lauren Cohen is the general assignment editor. Contact her at [email protected].