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Monday, July 2, 2007

INTEC's Anatomy Part 5: Library

Somehow I didn't have enough material and inspiration to come out with a cynical, funny, or even an informative post on INTEC's library. However, after what I experienced today, I can certainly comment a lot about INTEC's library.

INTEC's library is located just opposite the ADFP cafe and also beside ADFP/ALG/Music Department block. It is easily accessible but as usual, there are a lot of things that you have to look out for.

1. An anti-theft stand
Just like what you always see in big shopping complex, this anti-theft stand uses bar code as its sole means of detection. If you want to steal a book out of the library, you will have to defeat this system first. Then again, not many people actually want to steal anything from the library itself. Many many times, the system creates more troubles than benefits to students in INTEC. For instance, an innocent friend of mine just happened to carry out a book from the library. Well, you have to understand that sometimes people can just bring out a book innocently without actually having the intention to steal any book. After all, she was carrying quite a lot of other books at that time. So it wasn't a surprise that she accidentally carry a library's book out with her also. Unfortunately, the alarm rang and she was caught. Instead of listening to her explanation, the librarian went on to make his own deduction on how she purposely wanted to steal a book. Final verdict: The librarian found her guilty of attempting to steal a book and hence, her library membership was banned for 6 months. =/ So people, be careful with the machine, all right? XD

2. Librarians
Let's just say that they are the second most irritating personnel in INTEC after the guards. There is one particular big-size librarian who always scolds people for nothing. He will comment on the way we dress, the way we talk, and so on. Another thing about the librarians, they are not the most competent librarians you will ever meet in your life. I went to school this morning to check out from this school (yay I have graduated!) and guess what, the computer showed that I still owed the library TWO books. Of course, it was their mistakes and finally I got cleared from any misdoing whatsoever. There was another time when I borrowed a few books from the library and still the alarm rang when I walked through that anti-theft stand. "Ah, we have to scan this book again," the librarian said sheepishly. I was like, "duh..." *knocks head* Never mind, I forgive them. Too err is human. ^____^

3. Computer room
There is a computer room inside the library itself. There are around 23 computers in it BUT. There's a big BUT there. Only a certain amount of computers are working properly and are connected to internet. Having said that, some of the computers only allow you to type your works or to do slideshows. One more thing, not all the computers come with Microsoft Office too. To make things worse, most of the computer have no WinZip or WinRAR. The one good thing about the computers in the library compare to the computers in the computer labs is that it has the least security control. Students can easily download applications, songs, movies, and more. Just something on a bad side, you will have to drop your student card into a box upon entering that little computer room or else, the librarians will have you out of the room almost immediately. Hehe, I often walked in without my student ID and still managed to surf net for a good few hours. Another thing, the computers are always on demand. Sometimes, students have to wait for their turn to come to use the computer because there are not enough computers around.

4. Photostate Machine
American program students will normally just use the word "Xerox". Well, there are two Xerox machines in the library. Sometimes, both work just fine. Other times, both are jammed. To use these two machines, students will need to purchase a card (by the size of a credit card) called "Cashless" at the price of RM11.00. Every time you Xerox a copy of paper, the credit will be deducted from your card. So when the credit finishes, you have to purchase a new card. It is as simple as that.

5. Study Area
There are two areas where you can study if you are a library person. I found out that I spent more time in the library sleeping than studying. >_< style="FONT-STYLE: italic">

Just a little warning here. Be careful to not leave anything in the library.
The librarians have very bad reputation of keeping a "founders keepers" attitude, meaning that if they find something, they'll keep it. It is terribly difficult to redeem something back once you lost it. So be careful all the time. I experienced it before with the librarians. I accidentally left my calculator in the library. A friend of mine found it and gave it to the librarian. She text me and asked me to go to the library to claim back my calculator. The librarian refused to admit that he had the calculator with him. Finally, after I showed him message my friend sent me, he pulled out my calculator from a drawer and returned it to me. =D

Bottom line: Be careful.

Checked out of library,
Leen

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

dude...u just ruined my reputation..and i still have 1 year in INTEC !! oh well..reputations are meant to be ruined..hehehe..

banned for 6 months>??? real or not? dun think so la...not like u to exaggerate tho.. =P

Leen said...

yep, 6 months. Positive. I don't spread rumors or make false claims.

As for that incident, it wasn't such a bad experience. It just shows that you are a fun person!! And that is a good thing. It will boost your reputation, not ruin it. Don't worry. ^___^

Pat said...

haha... i m quite curious to noe who is the u penn and yale to be students... haha...

Sihan said...

AGREEEE.... I left my calculator in library and I approached one librarian on the day after. He just gave me a it's-not-my-problem attitude. I'm sure the scholars wouldn't take away my calculator.