I'm sitting inside the fishbowl.  It's a slow day in the library, with the sound of the humidifier running.  On and off... on and off, water trickling.  Barely masking the musky smell in the "new library".  Really it's just a remodeled room in the front of the building, but much better than the hole we were in before.  The room is still bright & shiny, new furniture and shelving.  Three of the four walls are entirely glass.  Hence it's affectionate nickname from faculty and staff - the "fishbowl".  I feel like I'm on display.  Inside one of those department store windows.  Live action librarian!  My associate campus director taps on the glass and makes funny faces at me. 

I chat with students who are working in the library.  Do some work.

An instructor walks by.

He likes to play hide and seek with the librarian.  Through the glass wall.  He pokes his head in the door and says "Shhh!" for the millionth time.  Such a comedian.

That afternoon, it's so quiet in the library, I try to keep my head from dropping onto my desk... THUD as I slip into a coma.  Watch a little TV at the Front Desk to wake up.    It's time for our Library Team conference call.  I sit at my desk, on my call, occassionally answering student's questions, and watch people walk by the library.  I look at them quizzically as they try to talk to me even though I can't hear them.

As it gets closer to the night classes starting, it gets very hectic in the library.  Students are frantically trying to print out their homework, finish projects... check their MySpace pages.  Cell phones ring... please turn them off!  I am running around, trying to get ready for a workshop down the hall and answer student's questions.  Going from the library to the classroom and back.  If I hear one more person ask, "how do I add a printer?", I may scream.  Stop. 

Smile.  Go over, talk them through it. 

Help another student get started with research for a paper.  That's one of the fun parts of the job.  Teaching students so they can be independent and do the research on their own.  I long for those rare moments where the light bulb goes off in their head and they smile.  They get it! and are so excited they did it.  Wow!  They've learned something new and isn't that great?!!

Unchain me from the desk... Time to go teach a workshop.