The Library.

So I'm sitting in the DBS library, unable to concentrate on my Media and Ireland paper, and slowly turning my head to observe my surroundings. So now I'm going to blog about it. This will be called...

You know you're in the DBS library when...



First of all: Massive DVD collection. They range from obscure european films (Berman's Persona-check it out, it's crazy!) to recent blockbusters such like Saving Private Ryan and Kill Bill.

Second: People live in here. More than people do at Winthrop, I'd estimate. Students come to the library, camp out and often take naps during study breaks. Now, I can't say I haven't done things like this before, but I've never seen it quite like this. Perhaps because the library is smack dab in the middle of the city, conveniently placed far, far away from anyone's home, so students have resorted to bringing all study materials and homework and camping out here for hours. No shame, I'm doing the same thing, haha.

Third: It's always snacktime. Look to your left, and someone is chomping on a pear (there's a blonde kid that eats one EVERYDAY at 1:00 pm). Look to your right and someone has brought a grocery bag full of goodies to munch on while studying for Business Communications. The grocery bag is my favorite, since many asian students often visit asian grocery stores before class and are typically eating foreign snacks I've never seen/heard of before. I'd be curious to try them, though...

Fourth: The new staff members are both about 12 years old. I'm not even kidding, I think their max age is maybe about 14. They are your typical Dublin teens, with very straight hair, fitted clothes, lots of eyeliner and fancy cell phones (they can be seen secretly checking their cell phones while the head librarian is looking away). Their sole duty is to check out the computers to students (you have to book a computer here), and they smile alot and giggle when boys come to the desk. I'm pretty sure they are in middle school. Either way, it's fun to see someone so young working in a college library, and it certainly does bring me back to the days of lipgloss and Seventeen magazines.

Fifth: The aforementioned computer system. If you don't feel like lugging your laptop to the library (I typically don't) you have the option to book one of the library's PCs for up to an hour.

Here's how it works: You walk to the desk, give them your student ID number, and they'll tell you which (if any) of the PC's are free. You then walk to your designated PC and have the awkward pleasure of telling the person using your booked computer that you've booked it for the next hour.
This is typical since many students choose not to book at PC and decide to try their luck at any open computer. (Perhaps they enjoy the thrill of committing a library infraction? Who knows). However, chances are they'll be asked to move in about 10-15minutes. They will then move to another open computer and hope no one books it until they are finished checking their Facebook/Bebo account.

Sixth: A very cool, very up-to-date checkout system. It's completely librarian-free and independent. You just walk up to the checkout station, place your ID card under the scanner, then just plop your book and Saving Private Ryan DVD on the automatic scale. It will then tell you which books you're checking out and print you out a receipt. It's creepy how it the computer just knows, but it does. Straaaaange.

Okay friends, that is all for this installment. Hope you enjoyed my observations from cubicle 6 here in the library and I'll keep you updated on other odd/wonderful/exciting things to happen.

Cheers!


Note: This blog was inspired by Lauren Lathers' popular series "You Know You Go to DBS When..."