Have you ever been in a library and stopped to pause for a moment in between your (tedious!) studying to check out what exactly the rest of the people are really doing? Hmm…I have- countless times I unashamedly confess! And boy, how much fun that usually is. I know the library doesn’t exactly sound like a “happening” place to be in but my years of experience in library self- imprisonment have taught me a thing or two.
I’m one of those airheads (watch out Paris Hilton!) who has to read extra hard to get even the most basic of grades so I don’t really have a choice but to spend most of my waking hours penned up in the school library. It’s so bad that I even got my own specific sitting place since everyone knows that that’s my spot. This has earned me the not- so flattering nickname of “library junkie” and, try as I may, I just can’t shake it off. I long ago stopped trying to be one of the cool guys and have comfortably settled into a nerd- mode. The truth is that I figured that the so-called cool guys can never possibly have more fun than I do in that ole dusty library.
One of the most interesting things in the library is the way people love to check each other out unabashedly. A gathering of mind-your-own-business people provides the perfect opportunity for people watchers, snoops, and gossips to subtly check out people without getting noticed. You see, in this individualistic society we live in, people are reluctant to be seen staring at another person overtly so the library provides the perfect setting for this undercover activity.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve raised my eyes only to be met with the eyes of another “studious” person. At first, it really freaked me out because I’m self-conscience so I’d quickly avert my eyes in another direction, pretending not to notice. After many sessions in the library, though, I’m proud to say that I’ve finally earned my MSc (Master of Staring Confidently). I’ve always felt that the staring game is a battle of wits with the two fighters involved struggling to be the last one to break the eye contact or blink and with my expertise, I always end up triumphant!
Funnier still are the innovative ways of flirting that can be done in the library. Flirting, I hear you ask disapprovingly. You know the effect that all work and no play has on Jack, right? Even nerds like a little love. I particularly enjoy the old-fashioned passing on of “anonymous” handwritten notes to the object of my desire while making it so obvious that I am the secret admirer. This has not been in vain and now I’m actually engaged! More interesting is what others get up to in the name of showing some library love.
The most interesting thing I’ve seen so far is one guy who would put love notes in the books he suspected his love interest was going to read. After weeks on end of doing this, he was busted by the girl in the very act! To say that she disapproved is the understatement of the year! She gave him the tongue lashing of his life. Poor boy, but man was it hilarious!
People taking snaps of each other on their mobile phones; sneaking junk food illegally into the library; hearing loud snores after someone falling flat asleep on top of a book; farting (!); and so many other things make holing up in the library a very interesting thing. If I haven’t done enough to cure you of your allergy to libraries, try it yourself. You’ll never regret it!
Bibliography
David A. (2003). Effective Use of Library. Prentice Hall: New York.
Tony W. (2002) Dangerous Students Behaviors in Library: Oxford University Press: London.