I remember, about half a century ago, when the biggest question of my life was where I should go after high school. I remember poring through viewbooks and trying to replace the beautiful sunshine and green grass that are commonplace in the photos with the pouring rain and grey that is probably more typical of the average university. One thing I really didn't get back then was why these viewbooks would most definitely include a grandios, full-spread photo and some sort of paragraph dedicated to their in-school libraries that, 9 out of 10 times, look like they were built to the description of the library in Hogswarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I didn't think anyone would really care about books enough to select an university based on the size of a library, or the amount of books a library has, or how the library looks like.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, half a century later, I do. If a student needs to take 10 minutes before she can find a decent studying spot in the library, deduct one point from that university. If she needs another 10 minutes to find a decent studying spot that is in close proximity to an electrical outlet, deduct five. If the library's book collection basically consists of around 15 slightly larger than classroom sized rooms with shelves half filled with books, deduct 10. If 90% of the results on the library's catalogue search are merely links to online "e-books" (which, mind you, are not truly flesh-and-blood books), you might as well only apply to online courses. If the library does not (or cannot) make you want to do your work (and instead, you start blogging), you might as well start listing other alternatives.
Currently listening: How High the Moon - Ella Fitzgerald
1 comment:
It always takes me FOREVER to find a studying spot at SFU library. I'm always going around in circles trying to find one!
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