FSU-Panama Library is a library that offers a quiet environment for students to study, and it helps to improve campus-life quality. The library provides informational services and bibliographic resources to support the educational needs of students and the instructional needs of faculty, staff, and administrators. The aim of the library is to support learning and teaching in all instructional areas with emphasis on the academic programs taught within the University.

     As a library assistant, I have seen some dramatic changes in FSU-Panama library.

     Previous to the improvements, there was only one computer available to check the catalog. The librarian and assistants needed to spend significant time helping students look for a book. However, now the library has an online catalog. Any student can now access the catalog easily from any computer on campus. Furthermore, our library now has its own website. You can just go to http://www.lib.fsu.edu/fsu_panama/; click catalog, there are about 100,000 cover-to-cover electronic books and 290 databases with access to many electronic journals. In addition, there are around 45,000 books on the shelf; you can inquire about them from the online catalog as well. You can access online library system as long as you are in the campus.

     The FSU-Panama library now provides interlibrary loan (ILL) services to its patrons. Whenever you borrow books from FSU-Panama library, you just need to show your FSU ID card, all the process of borrowing and returning pass through computer system. You can also check your circulation status online.


     This has helped librarians avoid all the errors that happened in the past. For instance, wee no longer have the dilemma of trying to recognize students’ handwriting; due date are recorded without mistakes; we do not need to spend a lot of time on an out-of-date catalog system; students can now easily access electronic resources; students do not have to wait for others to finish using the old catalog; and since we are online students do not have to wait for library personnel come to their assistance every time they are looking for information.

     The implementation of an automated system has brought about a better control of library materials and we now enjoy smooth circulation procedures, with proper records kept for every transaction done within the library. So why not come to our improved library and use all these fascinating systems as part of your life on an accredited campus?


Comment on this article / Read comments about this article