You are sitting in class and your professor assigns your first research paper.  Your first reaction may be to groan and say, “How am I going to write that many pages or find that many sources?” Believe it or not, there are two places on the AU campus that can be tremendously helpful when writing any kind of paper.

The first place to go is the library. Judi Humphrey is the Head of Library Circulation at AU. “I think as a freshman they tend to get caught up in everything new that is happening to them on campus, and forget that the library is a great source for doing research,” said Humphrey.  Not only does the library offer 8 floors of study tables, books, and computer access, but there are reference librarians to help you as well. The reference desk is located on the main floor of the library. A librarian will always be sitting there waiting to help you in any way possible.  You can give them the topic of your paper and they will show you a variety of ways on how to get started. They can help you find journal articles online, books in the library, and can help you order books through OhioLink.

OhioLink is a system in which students can order books from another campus library. Students can benefit from this system if they cannot find what they are looking for at the AU campus library. Books only take 3 to 5 days to be delivered after the initial request and can be checked out for 3 weeks. 

Karin Hootman, Serials and Technical Services Assistant at the AU library says, “the reference staff are well-equipped and very willing to teach students how to access books, journals and databases available to students in our library or other academic and public libraries to find information to use to support their research for writing papers.”

Ater you get a topic for your paper, find sources or books, and prepare a rough draft, the Writing Center is the second place you should go.  The Writing Center’s purpose according to Meghan Ellsworth is, “to help students become better writers by having a one-on-one tutor who can pinpoint what they struggle with and help them improve on it”. Ellsworth is a 2012 graduate of Ashland University and worked at the Writing Center for two years. 

Making an appointment there is fairly simple.  It is located on the first floor of Bixler where you can sign up for a time slot at least 24 hours in advance. Writing assistants make appointments with students to help edit their papers in hopes of helping them become better writers.

The Ashland University website is a great place to look up more information regarding the Library or The Writing Center. You can access the days their services are provided, hours they are open, staff that works there, or even request books and journals online as well. Whether you are a freshman or a returning student, it is never too late to use the free services that are provided on campus.