I have built some relationships with people who work at the library. Because I am respectful and nice to them, they remember me and will sometimes go the extra mile for me. I am also there a lot whereas some students hardly even go to the library because they are able to access whatever they need online. So they know me there! It definitely helps. For my research project, I sometimes need to go to the Law Library. They are so snobby there and don't want anyone who isn't a lawyer or law student even setting foot in the building. I feel like hey, I pay tuition too, so I can go to any library on campus. But they see it differently. One time, they even told me they could give me a special day pass for only $20! As if I am going to be grateful for that. I told them I was a student and didn't need a day pass and they sat there staring at me like a dead fish. I am not paying extra money to use the library when I pay thousands in tuition every quarter. If I can manage to sneak in there, I have found one librarian who also thinks the law library should be available to all and is happy to help me. He's a gem! So I try to leverage his open and helpful attitude and only go when he is there.

Anyway, I hear ya on the library woes, googley. Having good library services should be a priority at an academic institution. Maybe let the grass grow a little longer in the summer, the hedges be trimmed every 3 weeks instead of 2, or the windows washed less frequently. But provide sufficient funds for the libraries.