What Libby said to a sad senior about the orb

Libby - April 26, 2001

Dear Libby,
Bring the orb back.
Sad Senior

Dear Sad,
While Libby is a charter member of the Orb Appreciation Society she also feels that one month of swirling neon is enough for this semester. The orb is packed and on its way to North Carolina and all your comments are recorded for posterity in the College archives. Heck, Libby even video taped the orb on its last day, and when she played back the tape she DID hear it say, "Don't study. Go eat ice cream!"
Perhaps when you and your pals from the class of 2001 come back for your tenth reunion, you can all meet in the apse and Libby can whip up some special neon extravaganza for old times sake.
Libby wants to extend her thanks to Fred Tschida, the neon artist, for his provocative piece and to Mark Warwick, Art Department chair, whose inspiration brought the orb to Gettysburg College. Thanks also to all orb fans and foes for the lively dialog.

Dear Libby,
I am a circulation worker and I would like to comment about courtesy and patrons. We do not appreciate people who come in here and are rude to us, while we are courteous. We work hard and don't need added pressure in the workplace. I guess what I'm saying is that we circulation workers would appreciate the same good treatment that we give.
UCW, (Union of Circulation Workers)

Dear Mistreated,
Pox on these louts. Libby has great respect for the student library workers and finds this terribly distressing. You need not suffer such discourtesy and should call a supervisor whenever such a situation arises. Sadly, the lack of civility is rampant in our culture and you are getting distasteful, yet valuable, on-the-job experience for the real world. Take a page from Ann Landers. Photocopy this column have it ready to hand out to the next uncivil library patron.

Dear Libby,
Those dust covers on the modem jacks by the workstations on the main floor are diabolical creations. It took this athletically inclined student the better part of ten minutes to pry the offending cover from said jack. Although I will readily admit that I am not the brightest bulb in the box, could not the library staff--in all its wisdom and insight--devise a solution that combats dust and not students. I realize this is a matter that will merit concern at the highest levels of the library hierarchy and I thank the powers-that-be in advance for their quick response.
Unsigned

Dear Dust Disgusted,
You say you are athletically inclined? My, my! And what sport might that be? It took one athletically challenged librarian a matter of seconds to remove multiple dust covers from every modem jack in the apse. But, hey pal, it was a good suggestion. Libby is so happy to that you are actually using data jacks.

Dear Libby,
I just returned a book but got an overdue notice on it. You need a better
system.
Unsigned

Dear No Name,
Lighten up guy. Right now there are more books going in and out than any other week of the semester. Libby wonders why this is the case, since she knows that most Gettysburg College students start their papers way in advance and are simply working on those marvelous finishing touches right now. Nevertheless, the situation you describe has a solution. Just ask, and the staff will be happy to give you a receipt for your returned items. Then if you get another unjustified notice, you can come in and wave it in our faces (politely and courteously of course).

Dear Libby,
All I have to say is I will miss Libby when I graduate. Be well, Libby.
A Senior

Dear Senior,
Libby has appreciated her many readers and will greatly miss the senior class, although some more than others.  She is hoping, for instance, that the elevator artists are graduating and will be going on to practice their craft in a more constructive way. Ditto to Frankie (of the famous cardboard caper last semester). Libby hopes you return all your library materials on time so that you can indeed graduate, and suggests that you NOT try that little commando routine out in the real world. Jean Luc lives!

Libby's research tip of the week: Why spend hours surfing the web when you can ask a librarian? Like, that's their job so don't be shy. Make the most effective use of your time by consulting the experts.

Libby's special, extra bonus research tip of the week (because she sees that you are getting kind of stressed out): Are you in citation hell? If you don't know your APA from you MLA, or think that Turabian is a part of your car's exhaust system, stop by the reference desk, or check out the library's handy 'How to Cite' page:
http://www.gettysburg.edu/library/research/cite.dot

Libby's early alert to summer students: The library will be a construction zone soon. Because of the installation of compact shelving on the ground floor, there will be limited access to bound periodicals and computers after the last day of exams and no access after May 21.

Libby's late alert to current students: Do you have something out on interlibrary loan? Better read fast or head for the photocopy machine. All interlibrary loans are due May 4. If you really can't make that deadline try begging the interlibrary loan staff or bribing them with chocolate.

Hearts to Andy Shaw and the talented students in Ceramics 263 for their current exhibition BODY: FUNCTION, on the main floor of the library. After all the buzz about neon, come see what effect clay has on your senses. Reception this afternoon. Meet the artists.

Hearts to the friendly librarians who provided over 65 RPCs to students this year, and answered hundreds more student questions at the reference desk. The RPC program ends tomorrow but you can walk-up to the desk with your question any time.

Hearts to seniors, Lauren McIlhenny, Cheryl McGuire, and Vickie Anderson who helped prepare the exhibit on student teachers on the main floor of the library and to Professor Judy Brough for her contributions and Ray Miller for the photography.

Hearts to Biology professor, Ralph Cavaliere for identifying the strange green goo growing on the egg ravaged library books (and darts to the dummo who was playing with raw eggs in the stacks). It's the fungus Pennicillium sp.--and can be harmful to those with allergies or impaired immune systems. The green goo is safely behind glass now, but DON'T BRING FOOD INTO THE LIBRARY. It not only feeds resident rodent friends (including the bats) but encourages fungal growth.

Darts to the idiots who persist in marking up the elevator? Okay, now we get it-- the 4/20 bit and the not so adorable snowman with the bong. Do you want to know how tired the custodial staff is of cleaning up after babies like you? Take your markers and go back to kindergarten.

Libby has appreciated your suggestions this year. She wishes you all a painless end of the semester, good grades, and a happy summer. Best of luck to the Class of 2001. May you continue your subscription to the Burgian as alumni and keep sending Libby your comments.