22/1/09
Hello Blog
Today I was in the library. Nothing much happened today, I was in no major rush assignment wise, I just decided to peruse a few books that may be relevant to my thesis I was thinking of doing. I didn’t approach any library desk, although I did use the catalogues to find some authors that would be relevant to the subject. I have previous experience with libraries before, in my previous work in an academic library, so I was well used to using the search engines in the catalogue system (TalisPrism if I’m not mistaken.) Also I should state that there is a certain amount of bias in my use of the library facilities, because I have lived on the other side of the desk, and I know what its like, and I wouldn’t want to bother the library staff unless I genuinely needed to. I have to say while we are generally discussing the subject, I find the librarians here very nice (a lot friendlier then I am used to) and helpful. The only thing that puts me off is certain members of security who are a bit, well scary and insulting. They call that section of security libocop or some such. Given my slight but uncomfortable encounters with the man on previous occasions, I try to stay out of his way.
26/1/09
Hello Blog,
Today I went into the library to book a postgraduate room. This occurs early on a Monday morning, as the desks have a tendency to be snapped away quite quickly. The queue was smaller then I expected and I was able to get a room. The Woman at the desk (situated on the 2nd floor) was very courteous and professional; asking if I wanted a key for a locker in the postgraduate room. It was all done without the slightest bit of bother. No scandal I’m afraid.
The postgraduate room, I should say right now, is a great facility for me. You’ve got a computer and a desk, so you can just work away at your own ease. When I say work I mean use the internet and type up assignments, I don’t think it is particularly good for study or reading, with the computer there in front of you and people all around typing away. Well that’s the way it feels at the moment. Its great when you have your own table though. I was talking to my brother at Christmas and I actually told him how great it was and sounded all hoity toity in the process! Which was great. He was a bit taken aback, well he’d never done a masters the way I’m doing it (he worked from Dublin when he was doing his masters in UCG) so he didn’t have such a fancy option open to him as a student. Let’s hope the fanciness has its advantages.
Accessed blackboard in the post grad room, typed up some module related stuff on the computer in there.
4/2/09
Hello Blog,
Today I was mainly browsing through books in the library (which I used the online catalogue to use) and using the postgrad room for writing emails and checking up on certain module info (in blackboard.) Did some reading, or attempted to do some reading, in postgrad room, but it was real cursory stuff, just browsing through material. I found when I got down to do some serious reading I couldn’t really do it in the post grad room, so I moved out to the main library area. I found a secluded section and got stuck in, but it was surprisingly difficult. I think I hit the wall at Christmas after finishing the first semester, it is really hard to get back into the flow of diving full on into academic material. The area, the library I mean should be fine to do this kind of thing but something is stopping me concentrate. Just tetchiness I guess, the mind can’t help but wander. When ‘Libocop’ walks past and gives one of his cursory glances of DOOM over his terrain, it kind of knocks you out of your pensive mood, but we can’t blame Libocop for everything, can we! Its just a matter of eating my vegetables. Or proteins. Or whatever makes you concentrate. Gotta focus Rory!
9/2/09
Hello Blog,
Today I booked the post grad room for the week ahead. No major upsets, although the queues in the morning are becoming significantly bigger. I didn’t actually use the post grad room as well today, decided after my lectures to study at home. I’m just trying to imagine what it would be like if I didn’t have lectures on a Monday, I would still have to come in to book a room. This is of course just me whinging, for no reason whatsoever! Nothing can be done about that. It is a cause of stress, to be in college on time, so I suppose that is noteworthy.
I did use the library facility on blackboard to renew 2 books I have out. That was a few days ago. I also had to pay a fine for some books that were overdue. Nothing notable about it really, other then the staff being incredibly courteous by not rubbing it in or scolding me or anything like that. Which I should know really they wouldn’t do anyway, having worked the same job.
In do remember that I watched the library assistant avidly as she brought up my fine on Opac and cancelled it. I had this fear the woman at the desk would forget to do that, that the bill would keep on totting up. Its happened the odd time in the library I was working in before, where a student would return the book but the person at the desk failed to take the fine off the persons account, even thought they had paid it.
Anyway, being the brilliant staff that they are, that didn’t happen at all. It didn’t stop me watching however.
12/2/09
Hello Blog,
You’ll never guess what happened today. I had a meeting with a group of students upstairs in the library (second floor) to discuss an assignment we have in the Teaching Librarian module. I had booked a meeting room a few days before, but when I was walking into the library today (a few hours before the meeting) I realised I wasn’t 100% sure which room it was. In retrospect I had an idea of which room it was, but for some reason I felt unsure, that I may have been mistaken. Anyway I wanted to be sure so I decided to go to the desk on the 2nd floor where I had initially booked the room to clarify which room number it was. The behaviour of the elderly librarian at the desk was shocking. She was just plain rude, commenting in none too superior a manner that I was wasting her time and that I should have written the room number down when I had initially booked it.
Such a comment is very well and good if the fires of hell are baring down upon you, but we were in a library, that wasn’t too busy, and seeing that there was no queue at the desk, and the folder with the room bookings was right in front of her, I didn’t think I was asking to pull her teeth out or anything.
Her attitude was a bit much. She didn’t seem to be in a hurry anyway. What was especially annoying was her calm, snide, almost elitist tone, as if a pitiful student type had no right to ask her such a question, that my lapse in memory was unforgivable and my decision not to write it down was subject to severe criticism. I did my best to hold in my unhappiness at her behaviour, but when I handed her my id card and she said ‘and you’re MLIS…’ I had to hold down my anger and state in a reserved but stern manner that ‘I just wasn’t sure which room it was, I just needed to clarify.’ She was taken aback mildly, she then told me which room number it was before I walked away from her quite rapidly. I’m not going near her again.
17/2/09
Hello Blog
I am in the post grad room right now, typing this up.
I went to the Library yesterday (Monday) to return a book that was nearly overdue. I decided to kill 2 birds with one stone and make a casual booking for the post-grad room. I entered the library and went to the returns desk, even though there was no one there. Thought it was the right thing to do, go to the returns desks to return stuff, instead of the issue desk to get stuff issued. Stood there for about a minute anyway, got no service. There was a woman standing in the issue section, but she wasn’t budging. Well she did actually, after about a minute. Wasn’t too bothered. That was about the most noteworthy thing that happened to me in the library today. I feel like I’m straining a bit, like I should add a few explosions or hostage situations or something, but no, that would be a bit odd.
Oh yeah well I also made a casual booking as well, upstairs on the second floor. For the post grad room. Didn’t have to wait too long for that, there was a girl asking the woman at the desk about something, I waited for about a minute and asked for the code, showing my id (it wasn’t the one from before, I wouldn’t have gone to the desk otherwise.)
That’s about it, other then the use of the post grad room, which I am using now, typing this here.
Haven’t used it much beyond the usual BB, email, assignments and attempts to study.
19/2/09
Hello Blog,
I am finding it increasingly hard to study in the post grads room. I don’t know what it is, but I cannot concentrate. I am starting to think it is due to the presence of the computer on my desk. Oh wait I think I’ve said this on a previous entry, so I didn’t just think it, I already knew.
It is too distracting at times, I just can’t help surfing once my mind starts to wander, which is not a good sign, me thinks. I‘ve tried moving out of the room and just studying in the library but I find the task of putting the head down and reading especially difficult since the Christmas Holidays, I am suddenly only able to focus when the subject is something I am interested in, and even then my mind starts to wander after an hour or so of concentration. There is something about the library environment that distracts me I think, that its meant to be this blanket of homogenised silence over the entire facility, it affects your behaviour in a subtle manner at the best of times, and at the worst... It can be a bit distracting having to be in that mind frame the whole time. It’s not the end of the world, but if it affects my ability to study/concentrate, it obviously has to be addressed. I talked to a few friends about it and their advice was simply to think my way around it, to do up a list of specific objectives/assignments and use that list as an excuse to get into gear and forget about all the subtle nonsense going on around me.
I thought it was very good advice.
24/2/09
Hello, Blog,
Nothing special again today, used post grad room, used blackboard, emails, books for study (kept in locker.) No real interaction with library staff, although I did ask a woman at the reference desk on the bottom floor if I could use their stapler. It turns out they have this big giant on stuck on the desk, specifically for students like myself. I find this idea extremely helpful. As usual, the staff were very friendly and considerate, in an everyday sense, although I had to wait a while before she appeared at the desk.
In terms of using the library facilities, I got this sudden problem I didn’t have before. I’m afraid to use the toilets! Ever since I read that article in the student paper about ‘gay cruisers’ using the second floor toilets as their place to meet up and 'interact'. This is just, uncomfortable. I mean really, who are these people? Do they have to be so bloody weird that they have to hook up with people in a bloody toilet! How about a bit of consideration for those who want to use the toilets for what they’re intended for, IT’S A TOILET, its gross just s*itting in there never mind ----ing in there. Its bloody unhygienic, someone has to sit there afterwards. I mean really. Really.
I am not a homophobe.
I’ve got a feeling after getting that rant out of my system my problems with the alleged gay cruisers will fade away, although I will continue to feel a tad ‘icky’ when I choose to sit in a toilet cubicle. But maybe I would feel that anyway if I hadn’t known about them. A lot of Boys don’t really give a flying fig who uses the cubicle after them. Although from my experience from working in bars, restaurants and night clubs, neither do a lot of girls.
Ok ok lets get off this gruesome subject. I will still go obviously, the ickyness is not going to stop me.
---
25/3/09
Hello Blog,
I have given up on the library for today, and the postgrad room, and my home for study. I just can’t concentrate there, I mean in those places. I decided I should try somewhere else, so out of my desire to change the setting (and down to a bit of circumstance) I am here in an internet café in Rathmines typing up what is meant to be a draft essay for political information and media (although its not due until the end of the year) and of course writing another part of this blog, which I am doing. Right. Now.
I have actually been watching myself, with the intent of writing about my experiences, or my process of study and interaction with the surrounding environment and yunno how I generally respond to the course work in this environment. I’ve discovered that I am, surprise surprise, easily distracted. Not so much by the temptation to surf, but by yunno, everything around me. I like to write and I like to describe, and I am certainly doing that, but my coursework is not baring the full fruits of my attention. The result of inadequate work is the same in this environment, although it is a small bit better. Its one of those internet café’s on the street, with the door open and the traffic passing outside, there are other people, headphones on, all typing away, all kinda zapped into there own world. Any noise I hear while I work here is more background noise and unless sudden and loud, quickly forgotten. I’m thinking that the main difference here is that I have more options in terms of my behaviour, I can make a phone call if I want, I can talk normally if I want, I have no expectation placed upon me here other then to pay for my internet use and not to do anything overly ‘inappropriate,’ which in this case gives me far more breathing space then I would have in the library. There’s nothing bearing down on you if you know what I mean, there is no back of the mind paranoia blocking you from concentrating fully. Jesus, I’ve made it sound like paradise, and I usually don’t have such a high regard for Rathmines!
But wait! hold up! I’m still not getting the work done. What I’ve noticed is my mind still seems to wander even without this lack of mild ‘paranoia’ or expectation in the background. I was typing up notes for my Info politics essay and I started watching these 2 foreign guys (Pakistani/Moroccan/muslim looking, don’t despise me coz I can’t tell the difference) who run/own the place talking in front of me. I start to drift away from the work and start to dribble out sentences about what I’m watching (David Attenborough is narrating, obviously)…
‘The guy working in the internet café is very interesting. He is talking in a language I don’t understand, to a guy in a big beard. He is very emphatic, using hand gestures and speaking fast and slow. They are both smiling constantly at what they say to each other, exhibiting an appreciation of one another’s comments with an overt zeal…’
Yep.
But wait, there’s more! I go on…
‘In between munching popcorn, where they bunch their fists in their laps, their hands guide the conversation.
The hand rises up in front of the head, shaking stridently from left to right, sometimes in a circular motion, the index finger pointing outwards with certainty.
The guy working in the Internet Café is clearly leading the discussion, the visitor sitting agreeing, politely intervening with energised bouts that extend the subject further. Dotting ‘I’s in the air, softly.’
…I really should be doing this essay… oh wait let me, just, finish, this…
‘There is no real argument here, they seem very comfortable with the repor they have endured.’
…That’s not bad. Lets just continue…
‘Towards the end of every triumphant subject he shares, there is a slight tap on the arm or the knee of the bearded man apposite, one which goes unnoticed by both participants but helps retain an atmosphere of comfortable posterity between certain men.
The bearded man’s knee bounces with energy.
When the guy working in the internet café leaves the 2 man circle to help a customer, the bearded man dives like a nervous child, head close to the knees as he sits, and begins picking up popcorn he spilt on the floor. It is quite entertaining, I have never seen Irish people converse with such enthusiasm, although if they did, they would have to sincere in their theatricality, which would be a surprising sight for me.’
…I go on thinking about a multitude of things, about how there body language reminds me of an interview I saw between Oliver Stone and Fidel Castro, about how that film made me feel. None of which bears any direct relevance to the essay I am meant to be doing right then and there.
I think it’s a matter of grabbing a hook and just staying there (either that or brain surgery.) But life affirming metaphors aside, how does one do that. Not here obviously. I think it is time to go back to the library…
I will have to review this on a later date and see what all this gobbledegook says about me. Oh wait I will be anyway for my assignment.---
26/2/09
Hello Blog,
Today I went to the library to find out information on a presentation I have to do when I return from my holidays. Its in relation the Irish immigration to Australia and statistics and information in relation to their internet usage. I am having trouble with this assignment, having one fairly solid primary source but no real secondary sources to ground my data. My initial sweeps of the Library catalogue came to no avail, which is not exactly surprising, considering the niche subject. I grew a tad worried and approached a woman at the reference desk about m trouble. She was very friendly and listened to me I intently. She recognised the fact that she would not know exactly where for me to start looking, but she advised me to contact another librarian who is situated in the area of study (sociology department.) She said contacting her by email, by phone or in person was totally acceptable. I decided to go with in person. The lady at the reference desk told me to go to the second floor to her office, which I eventually found after enquiring at the reception desk on the 2nd floor. I caught her coming out of her office, and I was pleasantly surprised about how open she was to my request for help, even though she looked like she needed to be somewhere else. She took me into her office, sat me down and in calm and leisurely manner proceeded to show me the sociology portal on the UCD library website and the links to various databases therein. We did a number of practice runs on the Boolean style search engines of specific database, which did not come up with anything specifically helpful but had some promising finds. She was very helpful showing me the specific approaches to the Boolean search engines/ that would be particularly useful given my subject, and although it initially did not turn up exactly what I wanted it was a promising start.
2/3/09
Hello Blog,
There was a queue at the 2nd floor of the library this morning, well before the reference desk was open. I thought I had come early, but it turns out 15 other people managed to come earlier. By the time I was first in the queue there was only one desk free to book in the post grad room, and it had no computer. I took it anyway. I knew I’d need it. The coursework is piling up and any amenity that is available and helpful to me, both in and outside the library, I intend to snap up.
In terms of staff and use of the faculty, nothing out of the ordinary has occurred. Well when I say nothing out of the ordinary, I mean I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary, because I haven’t really seen them full stop. I’m just stuck in the post grad room when I’m here. If I need anything its usually on the computer, or on the shelf, both of which I can get myself. I have never even thought about discussing with them any problems I have studying here, mainly because it sounds like such a moronic statement to be making. And besides, do I really know it’s the libraries fault, and not my own? Well I think there is something about the environment of the library, whether it is the presence of people all around me (the quiet bustle as I like to call it) or the something stale that hangs over the post grad room, something that makes you drift off. Perhaps it is the air, the staleness of it. I am certainly feeling a tad tired right now sitting here, and I felt fine in the computer room in SILS a few hours ago.
3/3/09
Hello Blog,
Did not go into college today because of lack of classes, but did access library website to renew 3 books I had which were soon to go out of date. It’s a great service, to be able to do that from your own home.
Attempting to study at home at the moment. Like I’ve said before its different from the library, but you can still get distracted because its were you live. I study in my bedroom, which makes it difficult to make an official effort. You know, instead of getting all spruced up catching a bus and walking to the library, all I have to do is stay at home. Convenient, but the effort making the extra push does have an affect on you and your ability to get right down to it.
12/3/09
Hello Blog,
Today I made a quick dash into college to pick up a book that had suddenly become available (I found this out though the UCD website.) I needed the book for a specific assignment, and I needed to get the book before I caught a train home (to kerry) for the holidays. I rushed in in the morning anyway on a whim, checked the catalogue for a shelf number and found the book on the shelf. I went back downstairs and considered going to the main issue desk, but there was queue and I was low on time so I used the self issuing machine. I think these machines are very useful, as they supply an optional form of taking out books which not a lot of students seem to use that much. Which is a bonus for me.
18/3/09
Hello Blog,
I’m in the middle of my college break and I have to say, I am very glad I out of the library room phunk I was in for the last weeks. Not that I wasn’t doing anything at home you understand, I have a good few assignments hanging over me, my dads done his back in a bit so I needed to do all the fencing round the farm and move the cattle and…well this isn’t relevant, lets just say that I was in the open spaces back home to finally get a bit of perspective and bit of focus that I think I had lost while living up in Dublin doing the stressed student library thing. It took a few days to sink in, but it’s a quietly invigorating experience just to be back here, and I think when I get return to my existence in Dublin I will be able to keep the head down better in the library and actually do my work in a way that doesn’t string itself out to a tortuous degree.
I am learning that you need a break, I mean a total break sometimes, and just get of the environment you are in and head to wherever makes you feel grounded and uncluttered, which in this case, was putting a bit of blood and sweat into the farm back home.
Lets hope this focus continues.
23/3/09
Hello Blog,
Today I had to book a table in the postgraduate room before I went to class. My bus was late and when I got to the library I assumed all the tables would have been taken. Fortunately, while there was still a queue (I arrived at 9.40) I was still able to book a table with a computer. The woman behind the desk offered me a locker key and proceeded to explain to me in a slightly stern manner that I could only have it for a week after which point the locker would be opened and all its contents emptied (which I already knew, but didn’t say.) I was wondering by the way she told me if there was some kind of key robbery, or if people decided to hold onto their key for the holidays.
I commented on my surprise that there was still a room available at this time of the morning. As you will have guessed from previous entries, tables in the postgraduate room have a tendency to be snapped up quite quickly. The woman at the desk said that it has been quiet for a few weeks now, and it’s only starting to build up. Strange, I thought, with the amount of work due in the latter half of the semester everybody would be back in the library in a flash, but no, not on a Monday after with the sun still shining.
24/3/09
Hello Blog,
The alarm went off in the library yesterday, I was in the middle of some work in the post graduate room when it went off. Had to go downstairs with the rest of the disgruntled crowd, and wait outside while they did their fire alarm routine. I think it was just a drill. It was annoying anyway. I left my computer on and my bag and baggage up there by themselves, I was worried they’d turn off my computer or worse, that it was an actual fire! But I got back up there eventually, after queuing for 25 minutes, and everything was fine. There goes my break I was supposed to have. I suppose the first day after the holidays was the best day to do it, if it was a drill, not so many people as exam season, not so many stressed out students around. They were pretty professional too, directing the crowd pretty well and supplying anyone who forgot their entry card with a temporary one. The security guard known as LiboCop seemed to love it, posing at the reception, staring intensely into the crowd, talking into his small walkie talkie like he was some CIA operative. Smooth operator.
He is actually a bit off putting, you do not want to be around him. He is too stern and too over the top, when he has a criticism of a students behaviour in the library, he doesn’t really talk to the students like they are normal people, more like children, or cattle. And some of these ‘children’ I’ve seen him talk down to are in their 20s or older and have previously worked in a library, AND havn‘t really done anything wrong besides talking a bit louder then they should have in a meeting room. His reaction is always a bit obtrusive, unwarranted and silly.
For the sake of balance, I should say that we are cattle he cares about you understand, cattle he wants to look out for. Thank you for caring so much LiboCop. Moooo.
