It is Quiet in Here

The walls are clean and crisp white. Small artwork and large signs labelling areas cover the large room. People are walking in and out, silently. Lamps are above every station along the aisle. The carpet is various shades of gray in alternating squares. It's cloudy outside and 35 degrees. It is 8:30 in the morning and not many people have made it out of bed to come scurry around in here. People keep to themselves. The mood is quiet, much like the still weather outside. As I look through the windows I can see the outline of gray buildings. The grass is yellowed from the wintry weather. The trees are bare and sway ever so slightly in the wind. People are moving in and out of the buildings and shifting down the sidewalk. Some people stop, smile and visit with friends. Others keep their heads down and continue walking. Maintenance men drive small orange ATVs on the sidewalk. Large squirrel's are scurrying around. Back inside the building maintenance men are working on computers.

"When I came in these boxes were just sitting here."

"Ha, Oh, OK."

Other man begins moving boxes

"Oh I was just going to put them over here."

Man at the counter on the telephone:

"She could be on inter-library loan." "Loan, and Place Orders. Yeah"

"Oh She is, Um. Let me see"

" So you have an hour or so, is there a number to reach you ?"

Student at the printer:


"I need help." "The printer."

Man in flannel gets up, does not respond and works with the printer a little.

"Thank you. Sorry."

"Don't forget to reset."

Student to student:

"Can you get me a copy?"

"I'll check the database."

The library isn't that exciting, but people do talk in hushed tones, believe it or not!