The Rasmuson Library is introducing a number of new and updated programs as early as this week after receiving input from the student government.

"Some [ideas for changes] came from talking to ASUAF, and of these were needs based on patron input and what we've seen," said James Huesmann, the dean of libraries.

Perhaps the biggest update is happening this week, in what technical services manager Natalie Forshaw calls the "soft launch" of audio books as MP3s. Publicizing won't occur until January, giving ASUAF students time to act as guinea pigs before the general campus population uses the books regularly, Forshaw said.

UAF is launching the OverDrive audio approach, a statewide pilot program designed to see if audio books are a feasible means for the state as a whole.

Because it is a pilot program, the policies will be standardized across the state for the launch and beginning of the program, Foreshaw said.

"The MP3s will have a 14 day checkout, and a five title limit to start," Foreshaw said. "Those may change if UAF needs different policies though."

According to Forshaw, the program is largely the result of a big push on the part of Juneau librarians.

Juneau brought up the program at a statewide library meeting, and the other libraries agreed to give it a chance.

"Our primary focus is on here, but we serve a wider Alaska," Forshaw said. "We like to do lots of things cooperatively."

Librarians chose the available MP3s based on what they thought patrons would want to see. The files include both research and popular titles, Foreshaw said.

"I think that's awesome, a lot of people don't like to read, but listening to a book while driving or working will make them more accessible," said George Boggess, an 18-year-old student at UAF.

While the OverDrive audio program may be the biggest of the library's changes, the most anticipated is easily the free cookies.

According to Circulation Manager Karen Jensen, library employees will make homemade cookies and brew fresh coffee for students studying in the morning on the first two days of finals.

"Cookies will be great. Free food, it's always good," said UAF student Raymund Hawley, 21.

UAF student Aren Ray, 22, said, "That's thoughtful of the librarians to make us cookies."

"The cookies are going to go away really quick," said Kelsey Zimmerman, 19, a UAF student, "I think it's a good idea, but they're going to have to have lots of cookies!"

In addition to cookies, the library will be open later into the night this week and during finals to accommodate late-night study sessions, said Jensen.

"We will be open until 11 p.m. Sundays and weeknights during the week before and the week of finals, and until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday before finals," Jensen wrote in a summary of the library's upcoming changes. "The 23 hour study area will be open all the time (no eviction for janitorial service!)."

Jensen also mentioned other updates designed to make finals week run more smoothly for students. Those changes included adding a whiteboard to Room 502, and opening the Kayak Room at night for quiet study.

Other updates to the library include new equipment and the new reference services at the Wood Center.

According to Jensen, they've purchased 15 new Dell laptops to add to the media equipment inventory, and are planning to purchase a new HD camcorder and two Macintosh laptops for editing with a recently awarded a grant from the Technology Advisory Board. Power outlets are also being added into the 23-hour study room, Jensen said.

Huesmann added they're also looking into getting more popular CDs via a lease program similar to the way popular novels are acquired. Students are being asked to contribute ideas of CDs that they'd like to see the library house, Jensen said.

The final service being provided is the addition of reference librarians in the Wood Center as "Outpost" librarians, Jensen said. The reference librarians are a trial program.

Few students had found a chance to try out the new reference librarians, but said they'd try it as soon as they needed their services.

"I'm definitely going to check out the reference librarians in the Wood Center -- it'll be a much shorter walk," said Ron Wright, 18, "The library seems like it's trying really hard to meet student's needs, and I plan to take advantage of that."