Capstone Project: Journey Through The Library

What comes to mind when you think of a library? Maybe it’s a huge collection of books? Or a spot where students can use computers and other gear? Perhaps it’s a quiet place that lets you dive into reading, research, or studying? What truly makes a library a "library?" My trip to the Michell Memorial Library gave me some answers but also raised more questions. I had this idea that libraries were supposed to be quiet, boring, and kind of dull. But seeing the five-story building made me rethink everything I thought a library could be.

So, early Wednesday morning, I got up at dawn and rode my bike to the Hardy Road entrance. I’d heard Mississippi State’s library was impressive, but I was skeptical. I needed to see it to believe it. Well, just the size of the building left me stunned. I thought, “If it’s this big, what could possibly be inside?” As I explored, I found spacious study rooms, modern computer labs, and, of course, a vast collection of books. I kind of expected those things, but the MaxxSouth Digital Media Center with its 3D printers and VR hardware was a huge surprise.

There was nothing boring about the place; it was super quiet, which might be unsettling for some, but I loved it. The silence helped me focus on my task: digging through documents in the Special Collections room. The research itself wasn’t anything special; I just sat with my phone, pencil, and binder and got to work. I was ready for the long, tedious process that is archival research, but time flew by. One minute I was putting my stuff in the lockers, and the next I was returning the locker key.

This time warp wasn’t unique to my visit to Michell Memorial Library. During my high school capstone project, I got so into the topic—how the media portrays hacking and its impact on programming—that I was reading for fun. So, this research wasn’t too different from what I’d done before. But the rules and restrictions in the Special Collections room made the project feel more important. In the past, my research felt detached and impersonal, but this time I had to actively find relevant articles, copy them, and guess where similar ones could be found. This trip broadened my research skills. I used to dive into research and let the topic shape my paper. Now I know good research is systematic and intentional.

Overall, my visit to the library, specifically the Special Collections, was pretty enjoyable. I can’t say it inspired me or made me wiser, but it was a new experience. At the very least, my view of libraries has improved thanks to my trip to the Michell Memorial Library.

“Second Visit – Doom and Gloom in the Special Collections Room”

Dashing through rain-soaked streets, I found myself back at Michell Memorial Library. My mood took a nosedive as I reached the Hardy Road entrance. Normally, I like rainy days, but today was different. I had to bike from Old Main to my next class in the cold, relentless rain. So, I was soaked as I climbed the now-familiar stairs to the Special Collections.

Stepping through the golden double doors, I felt that scholarly vibe I now associate with the place. The staff emphasized how important the documents were. I saw old, yellowed articles laid out on tables. I hoped to reignite the curiosity from my first visit, but this time didn’t meet my expectations. The presentation was a “show-and-tell” where we read an article, summarized it, and shared our thoughts.

I really didn’t like the “show-and-tell” part. My article was on a serious topic, filled with slurs I wasn’t in the mood to read. It killed the vibe set by lighter articles like cookbooks or yearbooks.

But things got better when I went back to my research. Sifting through brochures and news clippings helped me piece together my topic. Normally, I come up with an idea, find sources, and build arguments from what catches my eye.

My research style is pretty haphazard—I dive in and let the material shape my paper. But this archival research needs a clear premise and guiding questions from the start. My high school capstone project shows the difference. I started wanting to write about hacking, a broad topic. I read general articles and then focused on how media portrays hacking and its impact on programming. I formed questions only after reading a tabloid article comparing a cybercrime to an old movie. While the methods are similar, the steps from idea to finished paper are vastly different. Also, the rules about what you can bring in and out of the Special Collections room made the task feel serious. The place demanded respect, unlike the research I was used to.

So, the latter part of my second visit was insightful, but the first part was a series of letdowns.