Written by Michael Ridley
The Chief Librarian rants
“There doesn’t seem to be a relation between the garbage and the places to put the garbage. The garbage is everywhere; only sometimes is it in the containers.”
Ok, this is a rant. Think of it like the Rick Mercer rants. It goes on and on. I’m walking around as I speak it; as I rave on. Except I’m not in some alley in Toronto. I’m walking around the floors of the Library. I’m seeing students at computers, in discussions, writing, reading, typing, talking. And this is all good. And as Chief Librarian I should be happy. And all should be right with the world. But it isn’t. I’m not happy; in fact I’m pissed off. This shouldn’t be, but it is. I’m walking around and I’m seeing students but I’m also seeing ….. garbage. Cups, paper, food, wrappers, crap. I’m also seeing lots of garbage containers; some for recycling, some for other garbage. There doesn’t seem to be a relation between the garbage and the places to put the garbage. The garbage is everywhere; only sometimes is it in the containers. And so I’m pissed off. We decide to let food and drink into the Library. Students like it. Eating and studying go together. We like to make studying more effective. Besides, we like food too. But garbage is unsightly. And it can smell. And it attracts bugs. Yuck. We still think food & drink & studying are good so we work with Custodial Services to clean the Library. They complain to me about the food policy but they like students too. They tell me about trying to clean carpets, pick up food, keep the Library in good shape.
And I tell them about my favourite food stories. Like the student we discovered on the third floor in one of the individual carrels. We found him because the smell was …wonderful. He had his electric wok plugged in and was happily making a stir fry. Yum. Sort of. Eating is one thing; playing Gordon Ramsay in Hell’s Kitchen is quite another. But back to the folks in Custodial Services. They do their very best; they are short staffed. It’s hard to keep up. And so far I haven’t even mentioned the washrooms. Don’t get me started on the washrooms. We can do this; we can agree to be good to each other. It’s easy. Eat, drink, study … and put your garbage in the containers. Clean up after yourself. And if you are lucky we are going to catch you. The cleaning staff are wearing special t-shirts to remind you of how important this is. They will be handing out free coffee coupons to you if you are spotted putting your garbage where it belongs. Redeem your coupon and you will be entered into a draw for an iPod (courtesy of Custodial Services). And, yes, I too have spilled an entire cup of coffee on the Library’s carpet. Shame. Shame. The Custodial Services staff had words with me. So come on folks. This can work. We can continue to allow food and drink in the Library. But we are going need your help. If it works, maybe one day I’ll even get my dream of a Wine or Shooter Bar in the Library … just kidding.
Michael Ridley is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Librarian at the University of Guelph. Contact him at mridley@uoguelph.ca or www.uoguelph.ca/cio.
Loading ...
