Even though the
busy quarter had already started and there was a paper due that weekend,
some distance MLIS students and their "regular" iSchool peers
found time to attend the SALA-sponsored tour of the Multnomah County
Central Library in downtown Portland on January 18. For Pat Salas and
Suzy Coleman, it was an opportunity to see North America's busiest downtown
library in action and also a great time to network and socialize.
The 90-year-old
building in downtown Portland that houses the Central Library underwent
an extensive tax-payer supported renovation in 1996-97. The renovation
project included a complete seismic upgrade and installation of new
cabling to support over 200 computers, more than half of which are available
for public use. The library's collection is more than 1.5 million items
and the library has more than 17 miles of shelving to hold it all. Some
of the most unique features of the renovated Central Library are the
public art installations, including the majestic etched granite staircase
leading up from the front lobby, and a life-sized bronze
tree in the Beverly Cleary Children's Library. "The Garden
of Knowledge" is the theme that inspired the installations throughout
the library.
Pat and Suzy both
enjoyed getting a behind-the-scenes look at the busy library. Suzy enjoyed
an in-house video of the technical services staff in action, complete
with a Wagner-inspired soundtrack of books being delivered to the rise
of "Ride of the Valkyrie." Pat was impressed by the high volume
operation and the efficiency with which the library staff seems to handle
the load. For Pat, who works in a corporate library, it was a chance
to learn about additional career options as well as better understand
the perspective of classmates working in public library settings.
Both women also
appreciated the chance to talk informally with working librarians and
other iSchool students. Tour leader and Reference and Information Services
librarian Rivkah Sass was a "fountain of knowledge" according
to Suzy, offering career advice and insight into the current job market
in the Pacific Northwest. Several students also attended the Happy Hour
after the tour and speculated about the future with working librarians
and iSchool alumni.
For Pat and Suzy,
both Portland residents, the Central Library tour provided a new perspective
on a familiar place. At the Central Library patrons can refuel at a
Starbucks on the first floor, hear a jazz trio playing in the lobby,
take in an art exhibit at the Collins Gallery on the third floor, and
browse through the Friends' Library Store. Oh, and they can check out
a book or two while they're at it. Pat described the atmosphere as "eclectic"
adding that it really seems to be a place that reaches out to the community.
Suzy was impressed with Sunday's performance of Ernest Gaines' A Lesson
Before Dying, which drew a record crowd for an adult book event at the
library.
Both were glad
they took the time to attend the events, especially since these activities
are not always feasible for distance students who live all over the
western US. Based on this experience, Pat had some ideas to pass along;
"I would like to have the same kind of tour of an academic library,
and would also appreciate a future panel discussion by information professionals
from law, medical, and corporate libraries, and independent consultants."
For more information:
Multnomah County
Central Library
http://www.multcolib.org/agcy/cen.html
SALA at UW
http://students.washington.edu/sala/
