Blogging A Scene

The building, which can seem ominous and eerie in the dark cover of night has a completely different feel during the light of day. During the heat of the day, the pillars in the front of Norlin library command respect, attention, and strength. Several groups of students are scattered here and there on the library steps. Most are socalizing, some advocating a cause, and some are simply taking a smoke break.

Students fill the sparse wood tables in the library, diligently studying or Facebooking, and a calm quiet fills the air. The distinct quiet of the atmosphere magnifies every small sound. Footsteps, low murmuring chatter, the swoosh of turning pages, and the clickity-clack of typing, are the only sounds that fill the air. Occasionally a the RING of a cell phone will slice through the silence like a knife and bring an abrupt halt to the concentration of those in the room. Quick pounding footsteps and, "I'm in the library. I have to be quiet," follow the interruption as someone scurries into the hall to take their call.

The smell of coffee creeps up the stairs to the 2nd floor of Norlin Library, enticing the students who are hard at work. This iconic smell of caffeine and energy lures some students down the stairs to fulfill their craving. The rest remain hard at work, or serenely napping on the soft, vibrantly colored, cushions and chairs.

Stepping out into the brightness of sunlight reflected off of snow is blinding and like stepping into another world. In the library, it is as if only you and your work exists--but once you step outside the doors it's immediately back to the stresses and perils of reality.