[
My Library visit ]
It has been years since i stepping into a
National library.. but due to a recently vocation requirement.. the moment has come under no option to visit one.
Old images of library in the
end 1980s and early 1990s floated through my mind when the familar tinted sliding doors spreaded apart.. no signs of uncle class security guards that were once the curse of itchy hands. They were replaced by the panels of aluminium soldered with technolgy that erect at both the entrance and exit.
No more bags depositing counter, replaced by coin operating lockers.. no more gantres along the path to the shelves.. and bags are now allowed in the library!? I remember those time when we have to "smuggle" books or papers under our uniform into the library. hahah.. now the WHOLE bag is no big deal. (surprise)
Heard from the news long time ago and i understand that borrowing process are fully automatic now, no more queuing for the yellow cards to be date stamped and no more secondary checking by uncles and aunties before we exit the library. (surprise surprise)
Made my way up to the adult section, first thing that i headed for is the OPAC. i was totally whelmed by the changes.. what was previously greenish montone display and yellow half-working keyboard is now replaced by LCD monitors and coloured graphical interface.. the using of the mouse can be consider revolutionary for OPAC. hehe.. searching for books is so user-friendly now (though still can be improved) with all the buttons and clicking functions.. (surprise surprise surprise)
Tables seems to take on a secondary species status.. gone were those days where large pool of tables are located at every section. They are now replaced by the sparsely distributed benches among the shelves. So i began my search for books.. sat down on one of those benches, read on.. Found the book i wanted and it's time to borrow the book.
I'm a total virgin to the macho borrowing monster. No operating manual was retreived from my memory bank.. still, a guy must still do wat a guy need to do. Braving myself to the machine, almost felt intimated by the machine when i scanned for helpful signs. Found it. the sign shows, "
Press '1' to begin", ok, not too difficult after all i thought. next was to place my library card or NRIC card at the left corner of the machine. ok fine, still manageable. Now, the tricky part. With the card still in place, move the book over the card and wait for reading. done that, nothing happen. or was tat suppose to be something happening? a sign or wat?, i thought. but the machine was cool, staring right back at me, doing nothing.
i heard printing sound from other machines, that's when i know i should receive a receipt. not wanting to look stupid for too long, i headed downstairs with an intention to tackle another machine. that's when i noticed that the machinei was using was meant for video borrowing.. *
ouch!*
I copied the suite of actions to the machine downstairs now (after confirming nature of machine). Still, nothing happens?! Tried again, earth stood still. Not wanting to play games with it, i took the book and just head for the exit. and expectedly, the alarm went crazy and i almost heard, "
Hey idiot! dunno how to use the machines har?". *moment* ok, as composed and charming as i can be, i approached one of the librarians who was obviously wondering which planet i was by now. i confessed my little "boycott" from libraries and that the machines do not like me. She was kind enough to show me the way, and to me, it is THE way. hahah..
So, happily and embarrassingly, i went through the panels again. Quiet. ok, that's my little adventure.
