Sean McGarrity ’18: The Annenberg Library has recently installed three new charging stations for student and faculty use. The two Kwikboost stations can hold five Apple lightning cables, one Apple thirty pin cable, and one micro USB cable to accommodate devices such as cell phones, iPads, tablets, etc. The other station is located on a high-top table, which can charge two Macbook Air computers.
Cassandra Keith, Upper School Librarian and Archivist, explained why these stations were installed. “The reason for getting the chargers was twofold; we were aware that other school libraries in the area had added these, and secondly we had a need on the part of the students.” Jenn Phiambolis, Middle and Upper School Librarian, explained, “I was at a meeting at the Drexel University Library last spring, and saw students using charging stations while they studied and thought it would be great to have them in our library.”
Keith also mentioned the rules that students must abide by regarding the new ports. “Essentially, it would be the idea that you respect someone else’s property. You are somewhat responsible for keeping tracking of your own property.” She continued, “You also shouldn’t help yourself to someone else’s, but I do not think we have had that issue at all so far; people are keeping an eye out.”
Photo Courtesy of Jenna Cooley ’16
When asked about teacher reactions, Keith said, “We haven’t had much feedback one way or another. I think they find that it is a convenience and not intrusive to the library’s function.”
As for students, the reactions are mostly positive. “I really like the new stations because usually kids forgot or chose not to take their chargers to school so this offers an alternate solution. Also it encourages kids to do work in the library because they will not be distracted with their phone while it charges,” said Christopher D’Ambrosio ‘18. Alex Burman ‘16 adds, “The stations are efficient and easily accessible. The library is the perfect place to have them because many students come here to do work and the stations offer an escape from distractions and an extra charge.”
Phiambolis also commented on whether or not she thinks the installation of these new ports will lead to an increase of cell phone use in school. “I believe that cell phones will be used heavily in school, with or without charging stations,” said Phiambolis. “Since we are turning into a one-to-one school, we anticipated a need to charge laptops as well and decided to create a workstation with chargers.” Keith agreed, saying, “Before we had the charging stations, there were cell phones in use throughout the school and if students needed to re-charge their phones, they asked around for chargers, but I don’t think that discouraged them from bringing their cell phones to school. With the charging stations, it makes charging more convenient and accessible.”