Ohio students graduate with an average student debt of $27,713, which is higher than the national average of $25,250, according to the Institute for College Access and Success.

Diana Sperko, communications director for the University Libraries, said the Kent State campus’ five libraries offer numerous resources to help cash-strapped students save money.

Textbooks

Jasmine Jefferson, a reference and instruction librarian and 2012 Kent State graduate, developed the Textbook Resource guide to provide students with affordable options when it comes to books.

“We know the bookstore is expensive,” Jefferson said, “or you’re waiting for your loan to come. We hear these stories, and we think, ‘How can we help?’”

The guide is part of LibGuides on the University Libraries’ website.

Free:

• Database listing available textbooks for check-out at University Libraries

• Available textbooks for two-week check-out and five-time renewal

• Cheap prices for unavailable textbooks at campus and online bookstores

• Alternative options, including other libraries’ textbook availability or online e-books

Guidance

For students looking for some extra help with classes, University Libraries offers its free “Meet a Librarian” service. Students can meet with librarians to learn how to best utilize the library’s resources.

“I think a lot of people don’t take advantage of it and just struggle through their courses,” said Hannah Moore, a senior communication studies major. “I was able to sit down with a librarian and focus my research. I usually always walked away satisfied.”

Free:

• One-on-one consultations with librarians

• Training on how to use information and data ethically

• Recommendations on how to begin research, including what books or articles to use

Multimedia

Most colleges require students to own a personal computer, but some may lack the proper software or recommended specifications for multimedia projects and assignments.

The Student Multimedia Studio, on the first floor of University Library, is free and open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.

Free:

• Access to $8,000 collection of software on Mac and PC computers, including Adobe Creative Suite 6

• Access to workstations with microphones, Wacom tablets and cameras

• Access to two high-end, video-editing rooms

• Tutorials on using advanced computer software, including web production, audio production, video production and others

• List of free software alternatives for commonly used programs like Microsoft Office and Adobe

Music

The Performing Arts Library, located in room D-004 of the Music and Speech Center, offers a large array of musical media to students.

Free:

• Access to a collection of 40,000 music scores, ranging in market value from $10 to $800

• Access to thousands of CDs and vinyl LPs available for check-out

• Access to music, dance and theater films for rental

• Access to two streaming music databases, including the Naxos Music Library and the Classical Music Library

• Group listening and reviewing rooms

Printing

Students can either avoid or cut printing costs by utilizing a few options at University Libraries.

Free:

• Scans of any library journals on the 5th or 6th floors

• Full-text email copies of all resources in library databases

• Email copies, which replaced faxing services, of any document scans

Cheap:

• Don’t have a printer? University Library offers black-and-white printouts for $ .07 and color printouts for $ .14 per page.

• By comparison, FedEx Kinkos charges $ .11 for black-and-white pages and $ .59 cents for color.

Contact Tyler Singleton at [email protected]