The Library received 18 amazing video entries for our "Why do YOU love the Library?" contest. The videos range from funny, to dramatic, to informative – with even a few musical videos submitted.
Congratulations to our cash-prize winners Ray Wang (1st prize, $250), Matthew Guilherme (2nd prize, $100), and Dairai Nyabando (3rd prize, $50).
Ray Wang also created a full-length music video.
In addition to our cash-prize winners, students Nicholas Herring and Anthony DeFilippis both won a $25 gift card from Retail Services in our random draws of the video and email entrants.
Additionally, we were so impressed with all of the video entrants that the Library has awarded all non-winners who created a video a $10 gift card from Retail Services.
Thanks to everyone who submitted a video telling us why YOU love the Library. All 18 videos can be viewed together in the movie below (11:42 min).
We also had 19 email entries from UW students, faculty, and staff:
"It is my second home, I spend most of my time on campus at DP! It is quiet, a place to meet friends and make new ones! I worked there for three terms, so I have a very profound connection and feeling of belonging to it. It is one of the few places that will stick in my memory FOREVER!"
"I heart the library because of the new and updated look. When I started in Winter 2004, the library looked old. Now, with the renovation, the colours, and the computer space, and the group tables make it pleasant to study and to speak to your friends!"
"I love the library because it's the best place to trick yourself into feeling like you're actually accomplishing something... even though you're talking with your friends and going on Facebook!"
"Like body to survive, expand and vitalize, soul and mind also need nourishment. But soul nurturing is of prime importance as it distincts us from other pedestrians. Library is a good "Nursing Home for the soul" as it feeds soul all its essential nutrients required for its personal, social and cultural well being and effectiveness. I love library because I get answers for my confusing questions. It acts as a mother who gives answers to even stupid questions of a child. I feel comfort and solace in it and find whatever I desire. I go down to the oceans to find pearls or go beyond the heavens to find myself. Once we get recognized ourself, this planet will be a true heaven. So come to this motherland to know yourself i.e. what is my journey and what is my destination? why am I here? and many more. Love books and love Library!"
"I love the library because there are so many wonderful people who work there — from Marilyn in Browsers to Bill Oldfield on the 5th floor!! Everyone is friendly and welcoming. Makes for a great place to work in!!"
"I love the UW library, because it is in my laptop and I get benefited from my bed."
"I like being in close proximity to information, thus I love being in the library:)"
"Ahh, the library. So many old friends and books I have yet to discover. They are always willing to help and don' task much of you except to treat them right and return them in good time. The smells, the weight, the textures; books are pleasant to read and hold. Why do I love the library? I love the library because that is where the books live."
"I love the library because the little cafe on the ground floor has so many good snacks! I love the silent study room on the 3rd floor, which is great for going through those horrible textbook chapters or for relaxing with a nice magazine. I love the big windows and the study desks, which give me more than enough light to read through my notes. I love that I can leave my stuff in the library for hours and not have to worry, since I know no one will steal anything from me. I love that we have space and room across 10 floors to study, eat, sleep or relax. I love how there are usually enough computers for me to check my email or read notes. I love having easy access to printers and photocopiers, linked to my watcard. I love being able to book study rooms for exam preparation. I love the sight of the library from on and off campus, as a navigational device. I love the library most of all because I need it to be successful at Waterloo."
"I love the library because without it I could never get any studying done. At home there is way too many distractions!"
"Why I love the DP library is very simple. Here it is:
1. I can get coffee and treats
2. It is quiet and I can find comfortable corners
3. I can put money on my watcard at the desk
4. I can renew books over and over
5. The 3rd floor reading room!!!!
6. The 3rd floor in general
7. Dependable wireless internet access
8. Late hours over exams
That's about it!
Keep up the good work!""I love the library because during exams it smells of coffee and sweat from students who haven't showered in days... and since everyone goes there knowing it's no fashion contest (except maybe the first years) it's somewhere you can really just be yourself and let it all hang out."
"I love the library because you can download journal articles using Google Scholar while you're on campus using the "Get It @ Waterloo" button."
"Why do I love the Library? Well, it has all the comforts of home (comfy couches, seats), a slew of academic resources (books, reference material, texts). It provides opportunities for both noisy (common area) and quiet (quiet area) studying. But most importantly: there are super-clean washrooms!! ... This is why I love the library."
"I love the library because when I work there, I feel like I'm surrounded by smart people. That way, I do my work really well! Thanks."
"I love the library 'cause that's where all the cool kids are. Also i love the sandwiches and those little caramel cheesecake things.. where's the cheesecake in those anyways?"
"I love the Dana Porter because I save time working out by taking the stairs to the top floor, where I eat my amazing muffin that I bought at the front entrance, while cramming for my midterm in solitude in a little cubby-desk. As for the Davis Centre, I love it because it's got everything you need in order to throw together a lab report due in T-minus 60 minutes."
"I love the University of Waterloo libraries because it is the only place that I feel I can be productive when completing school work. I am unable to concentrate when I am studying at home or anywhere else on campus. Plus, my peers are always at the library as well so it has become a location of choice for assignments, preparing for class and studying for exams."
"I love the libraries becasue they have msn enable whereas others computer labs don't have msn access.Thank you."
Huge thanks to Alan Kirker and Dianne Naughton from the Instructional Technologies and Multimedia Services (ITMS) for their audio-visual support.
For more information, contact:
Communications and Liaison Librarian
Ext. 32446
University of Waterloo Library
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
519 888 4883
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