When
you were a kid, you probably thought you wanted to be a spy. There’s a common
misconception among young people that that’s the coolest job you could possibly
have. But that’s only because few children know how cool it is to be a Student
Worker in the University Library. In fact, being a library worker is sort of
like being a spy in a lot of ways! Here are five examples.
1. They
overhear everything: What you qualify as a whisper probably isn’t as quiet as
you thought. Student Workers overhear a lot in the library (and they’re not
even invisible). Wearing headphones, taking calls outside, and actually
whispering will help keep your secret schemes under wraps. But don’t worry,
library workers are sworn to secrecy when it comes to classified information
like your academic record.
2. They have
gadgets: If you’ve ever seen a library worker sneaking around with a hand-held
device, they aren’t scanning your retinas or looking at blueprints. These
little gizmos keep track of how many times books have been used, but not
checked out. This is why we ask you to leave your used books on the carts
around the library or at your table - as evidence.
4. They
consult high-tech databases: Nearly everything a Library Worker needs to know
can be found either in their training manuals or in the limited-access online
databases. If you’re a Cairn student, you too have access to these stockpiles
of information. If you’re having trouble accessing or using a database, one of
these Student Workers or a librarian can help you.
5. They wear a
badge: Nothing says “elite” like the shiny faux-gold of a library nametag.
These badges are proudly worn by (undisguised) library employees who would be
happy to serve you the next time you need help accessing information!
~Christine Fitzpatrick
If you’re at the point
in the semester where the study carrels cause claustrophobia, the open tables
tempt you to torture anyone turning a page of a large theology tome, or the
comfortable couches create comatose conditions - why not try a study room? Many
students already know about the three conference rooms, aka study rooms, found
on the first floor of the library near the Biblical Reference section. If not,
though, may I, as a friendly student assistant, present an alternative to your
usual homework habitation. They’re in
the back of the library, so they’re secluded/ But with finals week upon us,
it’s easy to unintentionally forget common etiquette that we should use in any
public place.
Below are some common calamities
that I have seen occurring while people are using study rooms. While studying,
please use this handy list to avoid making these same common pitfalls that
cause conference room catastrophe!
1. Talk in Thunderous
Tones. It’s easy to think that because the study room has a door and offers
privacy that the rest of the library can’t hear you. Sadly, the study room is
not a vortex. Laughter, jokes, and loud study groups can all be heard outside
the walls, and often distracts others. Imagine how frightening it is to be
looking through commentaries on Revelation in the Biblical Reference section
and suddenly hear laughter...disembodied laughter. Spare others the terror,
please!
2. Chew on Chow.
Covered drinks are fine - we provide complimentary hot drinks during finals
week, after all. But don’t forget the library’s no-food policy! It’s tempting
to want to eat in a study room because it’s so convenient and you’re already
camped out, but please don’t. You will be spared the guilt of eating in a place
that requests you not to bring food, and the indigestion of having to eat your
Wawa hoagie quickly before a librarian walks by and notices. Please take the
few steps to the back stairwell or up to the lobby, instead, to enjoy your meal
in guilt-free peace. Trust me, your digestive system will thank you.
3. Steal a Siesta. One
of the best parts about study rooms is how non-judgmental they are. They are
available on a first-come, first-serve basis that is incredibly egalitarian -
whether you are one student or a group. And like the comfortable couch on the
mezzanine level, the study rooms have a sort of soporific effect on some
students. This is especially true during finals week, where we stay open an extra
hour from Sunday-Tuesday night. I encourage you strongly to resist these urges
to sleep away when studying gets boring! If you’re exhausted, there’s nothing
wrong with closing your eyes a little. But prolonged naps might not just have
other students wanting to take over the study room - they might accidentally
get you locked into a study room for the night (yes, that almost happened
once)…or maybe just have a picture of you sleeping in the library end up on
FaceBook.
4. Disremember Your
Key’s Deadline. Don’t forget that the rooms are reserved for only two hours
at a time (although groups can reserve them in advance through contacting Laura
Saloiye). Be conscientious - you can renew your key one time, but if it’s a
busy night, chances are that there are other groups waiting to study. When
you’re in the middle of a project that’s worth 35% of your final grade, it’s so
easy to forget that others also need the rooms… and to forget when your key is
due, resulting in several unnecessary fines accrued on accounts. The study
rooms are there for your needs, so take advantage of them. But don’t forget to
remember the needs of others while at it. And don’t forget the whereabouts of
the little key that lets you into the room to begin with!
5. Sit in Silence and
Shadows While Snickering at Your Shenanigans. Yes, this has also happened
before…in the dark...while another student worker and I were closing the
library, initially thinking that there was no one left in the study rooms. I
don’t think that I really need to talk about this one too much, but in a
nutshell, I propose that this might not be the best method of handling the
tension and stress of finals.
Study rooms are a great
tool to help you be successful on your finals or studying throughout the year.
Finals week is always crazy, but avoiding these oh-so-tempting pitfalls will
help you make your study room experience during finals more productive,
enjoyable, and successful. Happy studying!
~Katrina Weston
It’s finals week, a time that for many can be filled with
great amounts of stress. Many of you may start to see your news feeds littered
with stories of those who decided to cheat in order to pass with various
creative methods. Some of them will get caught, but I am here to share with you
a foolproof method for cheating on finals.
The first thing to do is find out what is going to be on the
test. You can usually find this information in the syllabus, or on eLearning.
If you can’t find any information there, just ask the professor. Sometimes
hiding in plain sight is the least suspicious thing you can do.
You will need a secure location for the next step. I
recommend the library study rooms for their unrivaled privacy and lack of
interruption. (The library also provides coffee during finals week to fuel your
diabolical plans. It is also open for an extra hour on Sunday, Monday, and
Tuesday) Remember to prepare ahead of time. Last second attempts almost always
fail or get caught.
This next step is the most important. You need to take the
information that you know will be on the final and write it onto your memory.
Repetition is your friend here. Flash cards and mnemonic devices can help here
too. This is very important as the teacher CANNOT see what is inside of your
head. You can hide any amount of information in there with little to no
repercussions.
Get a good night’s rest. You’ll need it.
Finally, on the day of the test, confidence is key. Walk
through the door in the least suspicious way you can muster. Write down all the
information that you "snuck in" and leave to avoid suspicion. Remember, the teacher has NO way of knowing that you have all the
answers. Unless you tell him or her, you will NOT get caught.
If you made it this far and followed all the steps you
should be good to go. Be sure to laugh at all the other students who are
“studying.” You know better. Enjoy your break.
~Ryan Eshelman
The library staff has an idea for a new art competition and we need your help to determine if there is enough interest. In lieu of the Library's participation in the University-wide art competition, it was suggested the Library sponsor a book art competition.
What is book art?
There are so many types of book art out there and we have included some for you to see here in this blog. Masland Library's definition of book art is: Art that is either designed or created using books as the main creative element.
Styles?
Sculptures, origami, architecture, and so many other styles can be used.
Are you interested?
If you are can you please comment here or on Facebook after this post.
I have two words for you: Book Sale. We have had the book sale going on at the library for a while and it is continuing until the end of the semester. The prices are $1 for hardback and $0.50 for a paperback, and however many you can fit into a plastic bag is $5.
We have a wide selection of books. We have ones for the theology buff in your family as well as the history buff. There are some books on art. There are others on marriage and other family ties and more. Maybe you would find one that interested you.
Why the book sale? Where else are you going to find books in good condition for this price and not have to deal with shipping rates? Especially since it is right on campus on the lower level of the library, you do not have to journey off campus looking for that special gift.
So come on out and see what the book sale has to offer you and your loved ones. Once you have filled your bag or gotten your selection, take them to the front desk to pay for them. Then enjoy your Christmas break knowing you have completed part of your Christmas list.
~ Elisabeth Smith
Hello, college students! We all have those cravings as the
semester gets farther on. The more projects we have, the later we stay up, and
the hungrier we get! The commuter (or student) lounge is a great spot to get some
snacks with the convenience of the vending machines. Even the new
'keurig-esque' coffee maker has 'pods' available in the vending machine for a
quick blast of caffeine! With all the studying that goes on, munchies are a
constant companion to homework, along with music and Facebook. However, when
you get the urge to bring some snacks with you to your next big study session
in the library (because let's face it, you can't discipline yourself well
enough in the dorm lounge to get work done), I urge you to please hold back!
Our library is an awesome place with tons of books and resources that will save
your life when all those research papers and projects come up. And that is why
we have a 'No food' rule in place. You are free to eat in the back
stairwell or the front lobby, but not out in the actual library where the
bookshelves are. If you can resist bringing in your latest meal from Wawa, or
that bag of pretzels that always gets you through a bind, you will be keeping
bugs and other yucky insects from coming in and spoiling the peaceful, quiet
study environment that is the library! Drinks are always welcome, as long as
you have a lid, so we don't spill on our nice carpet. But please, if you get
the craving for some munchies, leave the library to eat your latest snack. That
way you don't distract the others around you with yummy food, and you won't
bring in bugs! Yay!
~Rachel
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