Closets and Basements

This could be a post about spring cleaning, but it's not.

Libraries are notorious for locating the Technical Services Department in out-of-the-way places like closets and basements. It's quite common not to have a window if you work as a cataloger.

For all of the years that I worked in the Tower Library (before it was named for the civil rights activist W.E.B. DuBois) at UMass/Amherst, I worked in an underground area where there was a view of a window from only a few places. Sometimes I'd go to work in the morning and when I left at the end of the day, the weather was so different I thought the seasons had changed.

Over the last few years, the design of that entire floor has been reconfigured and T.S. staff have been relocated to a section that looks out onto the Tippo Courtyard that looks like a beautiful postcard regardless of the time of year.

When I was a consultant for the Western and Central Mass. Regional Library Systems, I visited many libraries where Technical Services was located in some remote part of the building. I understand that libraries want patrons to see the best of the building and therefore staff who work with patrons do so in well-lit, attractive areas. Unfortunately, that sometimes leaves those who work behind the scenes in whatever is left - often basements or interior rooms.

Since I now work as a contract cataloger and my project is usually temporary, my desk is sometimes tucked where there is barely enough room. One of the places (several years ago) was actually the computer closet of a library. For 2 days each week for several months, I listened to the hum of the routers and servers as I created bib records. It was warm in there, but because of all the computer equipment, it was never allowed to get too hot.

I still spend more time than I like in windowless rooms, but I'm happy to report that several of the projects on which I'm working take place in lovely areas with lots of natural light.

If you happen to be involved in a library building project or renovation, please remember that there's lots of non-public library work to be done and those who do that work, do it better in pleasant surroundings.