I finally did it, I got the motivation to head to to the top floor about 3 hours earlier than usual. It was a wise choice. The Library study floor was substantially more action packed. Of course I still remind you that this is STILL a Library, so don't expect a Giants Super bowl victory level of excitement. But It was a different kind of day.
Now, the same things were still prevalent. I of course passed my usual sleepers, about 7 this time but there was plenty of other things to discuss. Just making my one lap a round the perimeter, as usual, something was certainly different. The use of the materials and the amount of people was astounding.
I was making the rounds, and EVERY private study room was occupied. What i found odd, was that the small, claustrophobic rooms had more than 2 people in them. On the other hand, the large wide open ones with the view had one person in each with their things strode about. I to was looking for a room to take about an hour away from observation to finish up some History 115 midterm. So I took a seat outside a wide open room a cubical. While I was writing the views of the Jackson administration, I was still watching the people move about. Three people passed in search of their very own private study room. Often when I go to the top floor there is a multitude of open room, about half. This amazed me because this day everyone seemed to have something they just had to do behind a closed door, including me.
The cubicles where not over filled, they just don't accommodate to some peoples needs I guess. the people today didn't stick around for long. I guess there was a sense on urgency, mostly likely because this is the week of midterms and spring break was looming. I didn't really get the chance to directly observe a certain person because they were either sleeping of gone out of sight before i could draw a good observation. Really the only people who remained were the people in the private rooms. I thought it may be odd or even rude to knock and come in or just sit my face right up next to the door window and stare.
Other than the high pace it was a steady day of people on the move. I didn't have too much time to dedicate, because I of course had a midterm to write, and going home was of course in my mind!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Observation 3 Feb.14th
I decied to head to the libaray a little eaiiler this time. I had great hope to see somthing different , see somthing out of the ordianary for the 3rd floor.
Unfortantly I was let down. The afternoon was similar to others but diffrent faces. I have yet to see the same person twice except the employees. Now dont allow my opening to confuse you. The third floor does have some enteresting things haapening. Im just wanting somthing so exciting to happen, but it looks as if it probably wont happen. Still, there is always somthing worth blogging about.
Today I came to the conclusion that just sitting and watching people wasnet going to fill what I wanted out of the experience, at least for today. I came to the conclusion I would make laps at incramented time periods. About 2 laps every half hour. I wanted to give people the time to complete what they where doing and maybe the circulation of new people would change dramaticly.
I made my first lap arround the general perimeter. As walked by I saw a guy about early 20's, he was siting at a cubical tucked back in a corner. He had his legs extened with a book on his lap sleeping. I came to the conclusion that the silence got to him,even the book couldent keep him awake. I found and open conferace room and decided to read boe my first 30 minutes. As the the Autobiography of Zitkala-Sa drew to a dull moment, I looked at my watch and it had well passed the time I assigned to move arround. So I packed up my things and took another walk, I passed the guy still sleeping. I contuined and saw two other guys useing four chairs as a matress nodding off.
I thought that changeing my stragey my help my results, so I took a seat outside the stair well and watched the people from this point of view. As the time went on the door swung open very often. People came and went. What I found Intresting I never saw one person enter and leave. I saw people leave but they had to of arrived when I was reading of walking around. Im sure that alot of the people who enterned had just checked in and where hunting for the "hotel" room on the 3rd floor to get some much needed sleep. After about a half hour in the same seat I made one more final lap before I would take my leave. I noticed that evy study room was occupied, however very few cublicals where being used for work. There where alot of people sleeping in the though. I guess the people who want to do work go the the study roms to avoid the deep breathing and obvious snoring.
Unfortantly I was let down. The afternoon was similar to others but diffrent faces. I have yet to see the same person twice except the employees. Now dont allow my opening to confuse you. The third floor does have some enteresting things haapening. Im just wanting somthing so exciting to happen, but it looks as if it probably wont happen. Still, there is always somthing worth blogging about.
Today I came to the conclusion that just sitting and watching people wasnet going to fill what I wanted out of the experience, at least for today. I came to the conclusion I would make laps at incramented time periods. About 2 laps every half hour. I wanted to give people the time to complete what they where doing and maybe the circulation of new people would change dramaticly.
I made my first lap arround the general perimeter. As walked by I saw a guy about early 20's, he was siting at a cubical tucked back in a corner. He had his legs extened with a book on his lap sleeping. I came to the conclusion that the silence got to him,even the book couldent keep him awake. I found and open conferace room and decided to read boe my first 30 minutes. As the the Autobiography of Zitkala-Sa drew to a dull moment, I looked at my watch and it had well passed the time I assigned to move arround. So I packed up my things and took another walk, I passed the guy still sleeping. I contuined and saw two other guys useing four chairs as a matress nodding off.
I thought that changeing my stragey my help my results, so I took a seat outside the stair well and watched the people from this point of view. As the time went on the door swung open very often. People came and went. What I found Intresting I never saw one person enter and leave. I saw people leave but they had to of arrived when I was reading of walking around. Im sure that alot of the people who enterned had just checked in and where hunting for the "hotel" room on the 3rd floor to get some much needed sleep. After about a half hour in the same seat I made one more final lap before I would take my leave. I noticed that evy study room was occupied, however very few cublicals where being used for work. There where alot of people sleeping in the though. I guess the people who want to do work go the the study roms to avoid the deep breathing and obvious snoring.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Observation 2-Febuary 7 12:30 PM
This afternoon, was far far more quite than the previous observation. Of course how much more quite can you get on the 3rd floor of the Halle Library??? Well the silence is aways expected on the floor but today was diffrent . So many questions could be asked about why. I noticed that there seems to be a lack of people useing the floor today.
The floor is set up in a oblong streched "Addition Sign"(+) With a long cross section that points North and South and virtical section going East and West. As I made my usual laps arround the perimeter, I noticed the the cubical study sections in the central cross sections where completly open, not a soul was occuping one study section. The lack of usage stuned me. I continued tocmake my rounds. Almost every single study room was left un occupied. Except for one.
There was one that had one person alone in it. She was very attractive, but what was diffrent was the usage of the room, she had her computer open and books spred about but she was just looking out the window. Maybe she was getting her thoughts in order or just trying to clear her mind of thought. This was something I have never seen on the floor. I left her to her business and moved on.
I sat down at a cubical study section with the most cubical and began to sit a watch. Time passed and the 3 people that passed where in seach of somthing. Each of them had a look upon their face showing a need. I kept my eye on an older women, she looked about mid 30, she moved with haste and ened up in the Physchology section. Her hussle amazed me,she moved so quickly like she was under massive amounts of pressure. What could have made her act in such a way? I guess only she knows. The people today didnt seem like staying was an option, so I changed locations and moderatley moved arround the floor.
As I was walking I did see an african american man with an Ipod in catching a few minutes of sleep. His head planted squarly on the table of the cubical breathing loudly. I think that the expected silence aides in peoples decision to use the floor as a quick Motel 8. Time seemed to draw on and on during my time here. The sudden visit of a few people was the highlight of the day. very few people where present. At some points it seemed as if only I and 2 Librarians where present most times.They kept to themselves as did I. What could I have caused this lack of people. It may be classes but I am a big supporter of weather. In pervious visits the weather has kept people away. Im sure the walk to the Libary just is not worth it to many. Hopefully my visits will improve as weather clears up.
The floor is set up in a oblong streched "Addition Sign"(+) With a long cross section that points North and South and virtical section going East and West. As I made my usual laps arround the perimeter, I noticed the the cubical study sections in the central cross sections where completly open, not a soul was occuping one study section. The lack of usage stuned me. I continued tocmake my rounds. Almost every single study room was left un occupied. Except for one.
There was one that had one person alone in it. She was very attractive, but what was diffrent was the usage of the room, she had her computer open and books spred about but she was just looking out the window. Maybe she was getting her thoughts in order or just trying to clear her mind of thought. This was something I have never seen on the floor. I left her to her business and moved on.
I sat down at a cubical study section with the most cubical and began to sit a watch. Time passed and the 3 people that passed where in seach of somthing. Each of them had a look upon their face showing a need. I kept my eye on an older women, she looked about mid 30, she moved with haste and ened up in the Physchology section. Her hussle amazed me,she moved so quickly like she was under massive amounts of pressure. What could have made her act in such a way? I guess only she knows. The people today didnt seem like staying was an option, so I changed locations and moderatley moved arround the floor.
As I was walking I did see an african american man with an Ipod in catching a few minutes of sleep. His head planted squarly on the table of the cubical breathing loudly. I think that the expected silence aides in peoples decision to use the floor as a quick Motel 8. Time seemed to draw on and on during my time here. The sudden visit of a few people was the highlight of the day. very few people where present. At some points it seemed as if only I and 2 Librarians where present most times.They kept to themselves as did I. What could I have caused this lack of people. It may be classes but I am a big supporter of weather. In pervious visits the weather has kept people away. Im sure the walk to the Libary just is not worth it to many. Hopefully my visits will improve as weather clears up.
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