Moving, Moving, Moving

The Finals season is upon us. Some colleges are already into their Summer schedule. This is a bittersweet moment for all of us as turnover in students means that while we wish great success for the new alumni, we once again have to justify our existence to a new batch in the Fall. Unlike the end of the Winter session, every resident has to move and cramming for tests and papers occurs amid boxes, haversacks, and other paraphernalia. For some faculty, this is also a transition season. Retirement, new positions, new offices also mean significant changes for them as well. We librarians don't retire or move ; we just get reclassified.

What this also means for us--besides the loss of friends and colleagues-- is sometimes books aren't returned and fines aren't paid. we must find time to shelve all those materials that ARE
returned until the next session at the precise time when our student workers are greatly diminished if not totally vanished. If the shelves are crowded, it may mean reshifting labors. Oh for a robot to help my aching back!

It's similar to the end of a big party when the cleanup crew is needed, but no one is around to cleanup, let alone help jumpstart the next session. This was not the direction I intended to go with this post. So let me add that this is the last time we have to make a positive impact on some of our students. Keep that thought in mind when dealing with the 10th caller who wants to know why his/her grades or resume has been blocked because "Of course, the fine was paid or the book was returned."