Barre with Justine

When I first launched a book club for students in the fall of 2021, it was important to me that the students had physical copies of the book we were reading. It’s been the same for the book clubs that followed and the plan for any future editions of the Wellness Book Club. Reading a physical book or document has been linked to better comprehension in undergraduates (Singer and Alexander) and is often preferred by students. In a study from 2017, if cost were the same, 4/5 students would prefer reading a physical copy of a book when reading academically or for pleasure (Baron et al.)

In the study, students shared what they enjoyed about physically reading a book: the sensory experience of holding and smelling the book, the ease on the eyes, and the lack of distractions. It’s easy to understand the appeal of the physical book since we are so disconnected from our senses as we increasingly use devices to communicate with one another.

What is a Digital Detox?

The idea of ‘detoxing’ from digital devices like phones and computers has been gaining momentum in recent years. I first encountered the concept while reading Cal Newport’s excellent book, Digital Minimalism, and just in writing this post I’ve discovered there is an organization devoted to helping people do a ‘digital detox’. (of course I signed up for the weekly email!). Essentially, you carve time away from your devices to be unplugged from social media, email, and all the other demanding aspects of digital life. When my daughter goes to sleepaway camp, she isn’t allowed to bring her phone or iPad and she truly does come back lighter and happier. If only there were a sleepaway camp for adults! (note: also realized that the Digital Detox organization has that covered too haha!)

Funny enough, one of my winter 2022 book club members shared with the group that she takes a break from her phone every Sunday. She keeps a notepad close by in case she wants to look something up as a way to manage those urges to grab the phone and check on a date or a website. It’s a great idea for resetting the mind and spirit before the beginning of the work week and one that is rooted in the tradition of the Sabbath, as a day of rest and recovery.

Where do Academic Libraries fit in a Digital Detox?

Academic libraries have traditionally been quiet places for reading and contemplation. The iconic image of the academic library in films is a cavernous wood panelled Reading Room with hushed voices and beautiful, book-lined walls. When I first decided to become a librarian, that was what I dreamed about…a lovely, quiet setting where books were pored over by undergraduates and cups of tea were everywhere. I was fresh from a job at Nicholas Hoare, a small chain of independent booksellers that featured richly panelled bookshelves, rolling ladders and a curated selection of the best books. It was dreamy, romantic and completely unrealistic for a library setting.

That being said, my colleague Laurie and I often discuss how forgotten and neglected quiet spaces are in libraries, despite students consistently articulating how important these spaces are to them. They are usually the most dated, lacklustre and remote locations in the library; sometimes for very good reasons (secluded spaces are generally quieter, for example) but perhaps more often because collaborative spaces have been the trend and area for investment in the modern academic library. Christy Goodnight and Eric Jeitner do an excellent job describing the balance between collaborative space and the ongoing need and desire for quiet space: “Students on campus…seek out silence because all around them is a hum of activity.” Goodnight & Jeitner describe their experiences at Stockton University (in New Jersey) where the creation of a Learning Commons was combined with an expansion of quiet space. 💗

I think it’s easy to forget just how noisy campus life can be, although I can think back to my own first year of residence living with a floor of girls who would be up at all hours of the night. I would go to the library in the evening for the silence to read and write my English lit. papers. This was before the times of cell phones but there were no knocks on my door or distractions to interrupt my concentration.

the physical library space has the potential to serve as a space to “digitally detox”. In quiet spaces, phones are more likely to be silenced, distracting noises are limited, and the quiet is conducive to focused reading and contemplation

In my mind, the physical library space has the potential to serve as a space to “digitally detox”. In quiet spaces, phones are more likely to be silenced, distracting noises are limited, and the quiet is conducive to focused reading and contemplation. By placing value on quiet, contemplative space, academic libraries encourage the mindful approach to research and writing that is connected with better academic achievement.

Beyond space, academic libraries may consider offering a collection of books relating to the benefits of a “digital detox” such as:

• Newport Cal. Digital Minimalism : Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. Portfolio/Penguin 2019.
• Goodin Tanya. Off : Your Digital Detox for a Better Life. Abrams Image 2018.
• Shlain, Tiffany. 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week. Gallery Books Canadian export edition, Gallery Books, 2019.

In addition, workshops on “digital detoxes” could be a program offering in the library. A handful of academic libraries have offered these types of workshops including Penn State, which is a comprehensive and nuanced series that is explained in the January 2022 article “Privacy Literacy:From Doomscrolling to Digital Wellness.” by Alexandria Chisholm and Sarah Hartman-Caverly (*definitely worth a read)

Final Thoughts

During my sabbatical, I have struggled to find the deep focus that seems easier to achieve in my office on campus. The house is quiet but distractions peek out of every corner…my daughter breezes in from school and wants to chat…the dinner falls on me since I’m working at home. This year has made me more aware of how important it is to work without distraction and more empathetic of the student experience. Quiet, contemplative spaces have never been more appealing! But what I’ve needed (and what I think our students need) are strategies for detaching myself from devices to achieve deeper focus. It’s a topic that I hope to explore deeper over the last few months of my sabbatical and I would love to hear from you if you’ve had any success in this area!

~Justine

References

Baron, Naomi S., et al. ‘The Persistence of Print among University Students: An Exploratory Study’. Telematics and Informatics, vol. 34, no. 5, Aug. 2017, pp. 590–604.

Chisholm, Alexandria, and Sarah Hartman-Caverly. ‘Privacy Literacy: From Doomscrolling to Digital Wellness’. Portal: Libraries and the Academy, vol. 22, no. 1, 2022, pp. 53–79. Project MUSE, https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2022.0009.

Christy Goodnight and Eric Jeitner. ‘Sending out an SOS: Being Mindful for Students’ Need for Quiet Study Space’. The Future of Library Space, Emerald Publishing Limited, 2016, pp. 217–34, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.proxy.library.brocku.ca/lib/brocku/reader.action?docID=4717070&ppg=234.

Lauren M. Singer & Patricia A. Alexander (2017) Reading Across Mediums: Effects of Reading Digital and Print Texts on Comprehension and Calibration, The Journal of Experimental Education, 85:1, 155-172