Category: Wall

Number 1 most frequent question on the Answer Wall! Here’s how: My assistants use this template: bit.ly/print-postit to create the ‘document’ and then send it to the printer as a manual feed. Then they put the actual template of sticky-notes into the printer’s manual feed tray.

You’re leaving me? I will miss you. I hope you will be able to return for a visit at some point. All the best to you; may you have many adventures and much success! <3

I love you too! <3 <3

The Wall answers questions. 8) But I do often have assistance from a large group of library staff …

I am doing very well today, thank you. Although I understand it is a bit chilly outside, I am warm in here and I can see a bit of sunshine, as well as lots of busy students. I like that! Hope you are well today also.

First, sit very very still. I have the advantage of not having to breathe, eat, drink, or go anywhere, but you can certainly be wall-like for short periods. Then listen very carefully. When there is a question, don’t be hasty in answering. Understand the question from many perspectives and in many contexts. Do this with compassion and empathy. Seek input from many people living and dead. (By “dead,” I mean books and articles.) Then compose your answer, attentive to the humanity behind the question. #ohwait, did you mean you want to answer questions here, with me? Hm… what do people think about a be-the-wall competition?

Unfortunately, as a wall, I can’t go much of anywhere. But I’m flattered, and I hope you’ll still come to see me!

No, I don’t. I’m a wall. I can’t even pick up a pencil, let alone sharpen it. These little pencils are carried here by my assistants from the containers at the Circulation and Reference desks whenever they notice they’re dull. If you notice they’re dull, it would be super-helpful if you grab a few from one of those desks, if you have the time and inclination.

You do meet me – here I am! And I am so grateful you come to see me and ask me things and make me feel loved and needed.

I am fortunate and grateful to have many friends who are part of the Libraries’ staff. They are always willing and delighted to help answer questions. (Sometimes they learn a lot themselves.) Works for everyone, don’t you think?

Yes! I have answered “IDK” 8 times. In addition, there 27 instances where I have answered that I “don’t know” something and another 32 where I’m “not sure” about something. That makes 67 instances of not knowing the answer for a student, which makes me sad. But, it’s important to acknowledge the limits of your abilities (or knowledge). There are plenty of things I don’t know, and it would be worse for me to lie or act like I do know something and give someone bad information.

I’m still hanging. What’s up with you?

I’m feeling compassionate. It seems like a lot of people are suffering for one reason or another.

I miss you all when you don’t write, but I also assume there’s always a good reason. You have many, many things to do, and so little time! Give everything important to you your best, and good luck!

There are so many interesting & memorable questions! So cruel to make me pick only one! Here’s one of many, a recent one: “Tell me something that is true, but that almost no one would agree with.” My answer: It is upsetting but true that the smell of old books is the smell of their decomposition. Which, in the case of paper, is a bit like vanilla: bit.ly/bc-old-books. Many questions make me leap into research, but this one really forced me to stop and think.