Little library has much to offer
It’s tremendous!
By Alex Foley
Knightly News Reporter
alexander.foley@mymail.centralpenn.edu
Many students do not grasp the treasure trove that is the Charles “T” Jones Leadership Library on Central Penn’s campus.
The “T” in the library’s name stands for “tremendous,” the go-to nickname of the Central Penn College patron after whom the library is named. Jones was a local business leader (he owned Executive Books, Mechanicsburg) and was an in-demand inspirational speaker and lifelong book lover, according to the library’s webpage.
Margret Schachte, library director, offered an afternoon recently to share with The Knightly News what the library has to offer.
The library shelves are packed with a carefully curated collection of books and other resources.
Schachte (SHOK-tee) stressed that in a case where students need or want a resource not on her shelves, she can easily obtain books, journal articles and more from neighboring libraries.
To keep up with the digital age, libraries must find ways to evolve. Schachte had an idea to meet this goal. One resource serving this purpose is LibGuides, an electronic database of guides Schachte developed that provides students with information on topics relating to their academic lives. Currently, there are over 50 LibGuides, ranging from resources for degree programs, guides to American Psychological Association (APA) writing style—including how to write citations—guidance on study skills and others through the library’s webpage.
“Librarians understand how to learn information,” Schachte stated, explaining that even if she does not have an answer for some people, she knows how to help them find one.
Wears many hats
Schachte described herself as “doing a little bit of everything,” explaining that she fills many roles for students.
“Students bring their writing projects to me for advice,” she said.
She offers a wide range of services, such as helping students with research, from beginning to end, such as where to find information, proofreading, rephrasing complex topics into easier-to-digest explanations and writing advice.
Chat with a Librarian is another electronic feature the library offers (scroll down the landing page the link connects to, if the chat room access area doesn’t appear at upper right). This is a chat room on the library’s homepage where students can ask Schachte questions and get answers in real time.
Schachte offered a peek behind the library counter, too.
Photo by Michael Lear-Olimpi
“We offer textbook rentals on a first-come, first-served basis,” she said.
This service allows students to reach out to the library prior to purchasing textbooks for their classes and, when available, the library lends the student the textbooks they need. The books are rented to students for the entire term.
A day in the library
Schachte shared what an average day looks like for her
“I always start out by opening up the library, making sure the shelves are presentable, checking in any book returns, then opening the live chat,” she said.
She said that the rest of her day looks drastically different, from one day to another. Cataloging new books, assisting students with finding articles, giving presentations to classes, attending meetings and handing students the textbooks they ordered online through Blackboard are other roles Schachte fills.
Managing libraries from an early age
Starting at 16, Schachte began working in her local library, eventually taking over as manager at 18, all while putting herself through a bachelor’s-to-master’s-degree program at Clarion University. She stressed how strict this program was: “You could only get two C’s in this program. One was okay, two—you were out!”
Schachte graduated with a master’s degree in 2022. She spent some time volunteering for the American Red Cross, for which she was deployed for disaster relief in Washington state during the summer heatwave, and to Kentucky and Philadelphia during flooding disasters.
Schachte was “so excited!” to begin working for Central Penn’s library in March 2023.
“I love a small community,” she said.
Schachte enthusiastically promotes the library as a valuable resource to students and staff.
“I love it when people stop by!” she said.
Comment or story idea? Contact KnightlyEditors@CentralPenn.Edu.
Edited by Knightly News Club @ Central Penn College co-adviser and club blog editor Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.
