Evans Library Annex

My first stop (not counting buildings I’ve written in before this tour officially began) is the Evans Library Annex. Like most buildings on campus, I had never set foot in it before. I entered in the most spectacular way possible, by the fourth floor skyway from Evans Library. The glassed-in tunnel provided an unobstructed view, and I couldn’t help stopping to gaze out over the campus. For those of us who work on the first floor, teach on the first floor, and live in a one-story house, looking down on treetops from above is a special treat. Trees are fascinating creations—if I were unfamiliar with trees, and someone presented me with top and side views, I wouldn’t even know they were of the same thing.

I reluctantly turned my eyes from the campus beneath me to the annex entrance before me. Its most noticeable feature was the gold-colored wall around the entrance doors. Closer inspection showed the gilt walls were not metal, but laminate with a fake wood grain. The door frames appeared to be of the same laminate, but a warmer yellow gold—the walls seemed a sick greenish gold by comparison. Why didn’t they match? Did a contractor order the wrong color? Did the materials company discontinue a product in the middle of a job? Did someone get fired or reprimanded over it? Surely there is an interesting story behind the mismatch, one only a few people will ever know. Perhaps the door story is similar to whatever story lies behind the one-fourth of a modular house that sat near our subdivision for years. It used to be a whole model house, and three-fourths of it got hauled away. Fortunately, nothing so dire happened to the Library Annex, and I went inside.

Since I enjoyed looking down at the trees so much, I climbed as high as I could, using the object of today’s tour stop photo: the coolest spiral staircase ever. As I climbed, my footfalls echoed with a hollow tinny sound, and the stairway vibrated beneath my feet. The walls keeping me safe were all of glass, so I could easily see the staircase’s marvelous geometry. I was a little nervous leaning over the rail to snap a picture, afraid my new smartphone would tumble to its death, taking my staircase photo with it.

Phone safely stored away, I entered the Quiet Study Area. Some quiet study areas are full of ambient noise—not this one. Even though students filled the room, I could hear every page flip. As quietly as possible, I unzipped my backpack and took out my laptop. My keystrokes disrupted the silence and I felt rather guilty—perhaps I should have used a notebook, instead of a notebook computer, for this building-writing session. This seems to indeed be an area for Studying, not Writing.

As far as I can tell, my low-to-the ground seat, of brown-striped upholstery, was designed for a very short person with the thighs of an NBA basketball player. I can’t imagine anyone of normal proportions being comfortable in it for long. Perhaps that’s why all the other students are at tables, and I am alone on the bench seats. To my right, I can see the brick turret containing the spiral staircase. To my left is a beautiful oak cabinet, probably intended to hold large maps. All the drawers were unlabeled, and the two I opened were empty. Presumably the other drawers are empty too. The cabinet is gorgeous, but why is it here? Another story.

First tour stop over. It’s nearly finals week, and I plan to fill my summer break with serious writing. So I’ve let myself indulge a little, writing about the Library Annex while in it, instead of writing on my dissertation. I’m glad I did. Goodbye, Library Annex—I liked you. I’ll be back.