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Published by the Library Staff Association of the University of Oregon Library System
No. 16, December 1999
Those Student Assistant Blues
It was the end of a long, hot summer, the kind too comfortable and too lazy to leave at the end of September. All over campus, students sunned themselves, or played a few poles of Frisbee golf. But I had no time to hang around. I was hurrying to the student employment office. I had been told that all the good jobs might already be taken. The employment office was located in the same block that now boasts the beautiful new Law School building. In 1976, it was a pitted, graveled lot dotted with army surplus housing. Various student enterprises were located there, including an organic food cooperative. I rushed passed stacked sacks of split peas and lentils. Through an open door, I saw a woman fishing congealed slabs of white paste out of a bucket of greenish liquid. I had never seen tofu before, having just landed in Eugene for my freshman year.
I found the tiny, stuffy employment office. The doors and window were wide open. Hot air and dust from the parking lot blew in. Several flies looking for the tofu bins next door buzzed around disappointedly. I filled out an application with an eraserless number two pencil and turned it in to the job counselor. While I waited for her to review it, I perused the job listings posted on index cards on the bulletin board. Sky diving instructors were needed. So were key punch operators and white water rafting guides. Artists' models, male or female, were in demand. There were clearly a lot of interesting jobs still available. I could hardly wait to get a referral.
My employment advisor read my application, frowning. Finally, she date stamped it and set it aside. She rummaged in an index file and filled out a card. "Here," she said, "Take this to the Personnel Office at the library."
I was crestfallen. The library! That wasn't the sort of job I wanted. I didn't come to college to work in a library--I wanted something unique, something with a little more pizzazz. "Isn't there anything else?" I asked.
My advisor looked at me and sighed. "You don't have much job experience. On your application, you wrote that your last employment was picking strawberries."
Hadn't she noticed that I had been a row leader for two summers, for heaven's sake? "Can't you look in your Rolodex one more time? There's got to be something more exciting than working in the library!"
"Well … the science labs are usually looking for student workers. They have students clean out the labs and work on projects. I guess you can take along a referral for the labs."
I didn't want anyone else to get the job before me, so I walked very quickly straight to the science building. I found the main lab and rushed in. A short bald man in a white lab coat was sweeping broken glass into a deep metal dustpan. On a low metal cart behind him was a deep plastic basin. It was overflowing with small glass test tubes. Each tub held traces of a grainy orange sludge. There must have been a couple thousand of them. The smell was reminiscent of week old hard boiled eggs.
"Are you here about the student assistant job?" the man in the lab coat asked abruptly.
"Yes," I answered breathlessly.
"You're just in time. Roll up your sleeves and start washing test tubes. Use one of those little brushes hanging over the sink, and be sure to rinse them well. I'll go get the other cart.
I washed test tubes for three hours that day. The next day I came back, and washed test tubes for another three hours. I did nothing but wash test tubes for the first month I worked there, three hours a day, five days a week.
One day, the chief lab aid took me aside.
"Good work washing test tubes," he said, encouragingly.
"Thanks!" I beamed.
"You've been doing such a good job, I thought you might like to try something a little more challenging. Do you like working with animals?"
"Oh, yes! Of course!" I replied, delighted. The aid nodded approvingly. He pulled a plastic shopping basket out from under a counter. In it were three large cans of Alpo, a can opener, a putty knife, and a pair of rubber gloves. On our way out of the lab, he took a head of iceberg lettuce out of the refrigerator.
We walked in silence across the plaza to another building, an architectural marvel built out of concrete blocks and decorated with forbidding concrete Xs. The lab aid stopped at the door of an office and unlocked it.
There was nothing in the office, except for a few pieces of office furniture. Two ancient metal filing cabinets, olive green, stood against one wall. A bookshelf stacked with old textbooks stood opposite. In the middle of the room was a desk, and on the desk was a twenty gallon aquarium. The aquarium was really a terrarium; it had a layer of damp earth and leaves on the bottom. The top was completely covered by a large sheet of heavy glass, weighted down with a piece of concrete block. It looked empty to me.
The lab assistant peered closely at the terrarium. "Darn it, they've all gotten out again." He sighed. "Help me move the file cabinets.
I helped him shift one of the file cabinets. There was our quarry at last, about two dozen of the largest and ugliest slugs I had ever seen. They were arranged along the wall in the shadow of the cabinet. Some were long and olive green, like the file cabinet. Other slugs were smaller, with exotic zebra stripes.
The lab aid put on a right-hand rubber glove and, using the putty knife, began gently to pry a slug from the wall. I put on the left-hand glove, and attempted to peel a large, striped slug from the back of the cabinet. It fell to the floor with a heavy plop. "Be careful-- those striped slugs are an endangered species," the lab assistant snapped. I picked up the slug gently, trying not to squeeze it too hard. It stuck out its feelers at me and oozed. I took it to the terrarium and turned my hand upside-down, trying to gently shake it off my hand. It didn't work. The slug wrapped itself around my palm, and was trying to climb onto the back of my hand. For a slug, it moved pretty quickly. I shook harder.
"Don't hold it upside down--they don't like that. And stop shaking it!" the lab assistant said. He brought back a handful of slugs and released them with a practiced flick into the tank. He grabbed my slug behind the horns and dropped it in with the others. I could see that slug handling was all a matter of practice. We both returned to the wall and, working swiftly, we soon corralled the rest of the slugs.
Before we left, the lab aid tore the lettuce into shreds and dropped it into the terrarium. Then he replaced the plate glass cover, and carefully weighted it with textbooks and the piece of concrete block. He shook his head.
"It's really pointless trying to keep them in the tank. Slugs can escape from any container not hermetically sealed. They'd be happier behind the filing cabinets. Still, it's human nature to impose our will on other species. Besides, it's what the department head wants. You'll need to feed them twice a week, and be sure to put them all back in the tank. We don't want any to go missing."
As he locked the door, I noticed that he still had the cans of Alpo left in his basket.
"Do we feed the dogs now?" I ventured, timidly.
"Dogs? What dogs? The Alpo is for the cockroaches. We have several thousand living in the boiler room in the basement ... it's a good thing you like animals, the last student assistant we had doing this only lasted one day" and with that he swept away down the hall, with me trotting reluctantly behind.
--L.R. Sexton
Well, forget the slugs (if you can), but remember the Holiday Potluck, December 15th 11:30-1:30 in the Browsing Room. Bring your favorite foods to share with coworkers. Side dishes and vegetarian entrees are particularly sought after. Contact Ann Muller for more details (6-1859).
The Library Systems Department will host an open house on Thursday, December 9, from 9:30 to 11am, to congratulate John Helmer on his new position as Orbis Manager. Refreshments will be served, and all library staff are invited to drop by.
A farewell coffee for Jill Holman is being held Wednesday, December 8 from 10 a.m.-11:30a.m. in the Science Library.
The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon
Someone has apparently borrowed most of the silverware, dish soap, and large serving spoons from the staff lounge. These items belong to LSA and are needed! The House Committee requests that they be returned to the lounge as soon as possible.
Dues Drive
As of this writing, 71 library staff members have paid their LSA dues for 1999/2000. Our current total for dues received is $426. Remember, the Library Administration has pledged $3 for every dues payer this calendar year, so keep 'em coming!
If you haven't done so already, please mail or deliver your $6 to our Treasurer, Kathy Wittwer, in Administrative Services. We will also have an LSA dues table at the Holiday Potluck for your convenience.
Thanks very much to all who have already paid their dues! Also, a HUGE THANKS to several who have made donations above and beyond the dues amount. We appreciate and are very grateful for their generosity! Our donations total so far is $96.
Lisa Sieracki
Across the Rock, Down the Steps and along the Trail...
Yes, that's the way to the bathroom, such as it was. "Outhouse" is very descriptive here; not only is it out of the house, but it's out, as in outside IN the elements -- an open air outhouse with no walls, just your moon and THE moon.
My husband, Gary, and I rented the Acker Rock Lookout for the Halloween weekend. We learned of the opportunity of renting Oregon's fire towers from a book by Tom Foley and Tish Steinfeld entitled How to Rent a Fire Lookout in the Pacific Northwest: a Guide to Renting Fire Lookouts, Guard Stations, Ranger Cabins, Warming Shelters and Bunkhouses in the National Forests of Oregon and Washington, published in 1996 by Wilderness Press. This book has descriptions and photographs of over 43 lookouts and cabins etc. and contact information. Most of the rentals are available for $25 to $40 per night; some are available year round, while others are available seasonally.
The Acker Rock lookout is rented through the Tiller Ranger Station east of Canyonville off I-5. We had rented the Pickett Butte lookout last fall, and its 57 steps proved to be too daunting for a return trip with our 70-pound dog named Leaver. Let's just say it was such a harrowing experience getting Leaver up the open ladder/staircase to the catwalk and lookout, that once we did it we didn't want to negotiate those stairs with him any more than necessary over the course of 3 days and nights. The first trip he made down was 18 hours later in a sling rigged from a Crazy Creek chair slung over Gary's neck. Leaver wet all over himself and the chair on the way down; we're not sure how much was fright and how much was a full, 5-gallon bladder. At any rate, we decided we'd have to pick a lookout with fewer steps.
The photo in the book looked like Acker Rock would fill the bill, and it did so marvelously. This lookout achieves its height from being perched atop a huge rock outcrop. It is reached by driving about 30 miles southeast of Tiller on County Road 46 and various Forest Service roads. The book provides very detailed driving directions. The outcrop and tiny, tiny lookout were visible way off and up in the distance as we drove the winding back roads. It was exciting to catch glimpses of the tower from different angles below.
Finally, toward the top of the mountain, we passed through and relocked an access gate, drove another mile farther and then set off on a 1/2 mile hike to get to the lookout. It was starting to get dusk when we arrived on Friday evening, but we still had plenty of time to make one trip before it got dark; unfortunately it took yet another trip for Gary to bring up all the stuff we wanted for the next 24 hours or so. We made additional trips to the car throughout the weekend, as necessary. As we were walking along the gradually ascending trail, we kept looking up trying to catch the first thrilling, offroad glimpse of what was to be our sky abode for the weekend! Finally, after some huffing and puffing, there it was -- still a few switchbacks above us.
At the base of the rock itself, we reached a set of about 8 steps, which led to a small, fenced and gated landing -- about 5 feet square. This was great because we could tie this gate and have some hopes of keeping our dog contained without having to keep an eye on him the entire weekend, although I had some doubts about whether he might try to jump the 4 foot railing around the platform. From the landing, we proceeded up about 19 steps with wooden railings on both sides, providing an added measure of security. At the top of the steps there was an expanse of bare rock, followed by a 4 foot by 10 foot walkway with fencing on both sides, and then finally the catwalk completely surrounding the lookout. On the opposite side of the lookout from the approach, the boulder extended out into a knife edge that was somewhat reminiscent of the Infinity Room in House on the Rocks (untastefully designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright wannabe) in Spring Green, Wisconsin. (If you haven't been there, take my advice and stay away!) This knife-edge effect looked much nicer in its natural state.
We unlocked the door, took off our backpacks and hung them on the nails conveniently provided inside and then had a look around. The lookout is perched 2000 feet above the Rogue and Umpqua basins. There were windows on all four sides, providing a panoramic view from anywhere in the lookout. This one had a single bed with a mattress and we had brought our sleeping bags for warmth. There was a propane cook stove and even a propane refrigerator. A wood-burning heat stove could be fired up, although wood is not provided. Also, no water is available so we brought our own. There was also a table that could seat 4 people cozily, a couple of folding chairs, and a couple of benches with storage drawers beneath them. Two propane lanterns gave the lookout a warm, inviting glow both inside and out after dark. There was also what I thought was a strange little footstool with insulator cups on the bottom of each leg. Evidently you are supposed to stand on this in the case of lightning storms! I doubt it would have held two people, much less two people and a dog. I'm glad it wasn't necessary to use it, although a lightning storm would have been wondrous to behold from up there!
As night descended, we could see the mist or fog rising from the South Umpqua River Basin and creep its way up the hillsides, filling in the ravines.The night was clear and the stars came out so bright. We zipped our sleeping bags together and let the dog sleep with us part of the night until he got to hogging the bed too much. So much for the family bed! When Gary got up the next morning, Leaver came up and lay his head on the other pillow and snoozed away with me.
The weather on Saturday was beautiful with the fog burning off early and the temperature reaching into the 70s. We were lazing away the day when I heard voices below. It was a father and son out for an afternoon of hunting (no luck for them, but lucky for the elk), and they had happened upon the lookout. We invited them up for a look around, and the son seemed very impressed at the views and the novelty of renting a fire lookout. After they left, we continued our reading and sleeping and eating -- a totally slug weekend.
Saturday night, clouds moved in and it got colder and we built a fire; the mist and fog settled in and surrounded the lookout well into Sunday morning. Not being able to see much beyond the close, rocky crags had its own beauty too. We whiled away the morning eating homemade cranberry scones warmed on the wood-burning heat stove. By early afternoon, after writing in the journal kept in the lookout for that purpose, we bid goodby to our sky tower, vowing to return another time.
Oh yes, the bathroom. It really was across the wooden walkway, the boulder, down the steps to the landing, through the gate, down a few more steps and along the trail a few yards. There stood a composting toilet, unencumbered by any walls, with the most beautiful 180 degree view you1ll ever want to see!
Submitted by Stephanie Midkiff
Cornucopia Sale Big Success!
The Fall Cornucopia Sale had another great year! Beautiful and interesting gift items combined with delicious baked and canned goods had high sales and drew dues-payers. Gift items available included handmade books, cards, paintings, and pottery as well as some great farm products- Sheep's wool and home-grown goose eggs!
The total revenue was $414.45. $90.00 of that amount was for dues, $324.20 was from sales of donated items and food. The total sales of donated gift items was $190.00, ten percent of which was kept for LSA. The $90.00 in dues and $153.20 for sales of food and a percentage of the donated gifts came to approximately $240 for the LSA budget!
Click here to see the pictures!
Been to an interesting conference? Send us a brief report for publication in the next newsletter. Thanks!
Co-Sponsored Open House
On Tuesday morning, November 30, approximately 30 library staff members attended an open house at the U.O. Museum of Natural History. This event was co-sponsored by the Library Diversity Advisory Group and the Friends of the Museum. Refreshments were served and staff had a chance to browse the Museum on their own before the welcoming remarks by Museum Director, Mel Aikens. Dr. Aikens remarked on the similarity of mission and concerns of museums and libraries: supporting research and scholarship while balancing access and collection preservation. Nancy Slight-Gibney, President of the Friends, encouraged staff to take advantage of life-long learning opportunities at the museum and consider becoming a member. She also invited all to attend the Winter Solstice Fest after work on December 21.
Denis McCarthy, volunteer docent, made some general remarks about how the museum's collections relate to recent items in the news and then four groups formed for guided tours. One group went outside to view the Glenn Starlin Courtyard and its native plants with the courtyard curator, Pam Mayes. Another group went with volunteer docent John Bay for a guided tour of the current traveling exhibit: They Sacrificed for Our Survival, The Indian Boarding School Experience. Others took advantage of the expertise of Herb Wisner on local birds and Denis McCarthy on Oregon Geology.
This was a nice opportunity for library staff to explore some of the diverse resources on our very own campus and for the museum to reach out to the campus community.
Kudos!
Congratulations to Richard Bear. His poem, Cityscape with Pink Rose, published in Volume 3 of New Zoo Poetry Review, has been nominated by the editor for a 1999 Pushcart Prize.
A vote of appreciation for Christine Sundt for donating a percentage of the proceeds from her jewelry sales to support libraries. Her gallery is matching her donations. See Christine's profile to learn more about her artwork.
Another vote of appreciation goes to library staff--yes, that's you-- from a grateful graduate student. Read her thank-you note on the bulletin board in the staff lounge. Good job, folks!
Fitness Corner is back this month with new content ... finally. The Marathon report wasn't really interesting enough to leave up for two months, but your editor dropped the columnist's ball in November. Monthly deadlines? How can one write under this kind of pressure? Anyway, this month Fitness Corner suggests a solution to those workout blues and features letters from the mailbag.
Check out this month's movie review:
Toy Story 2, reviewed by Lara Nesselroad
December staff profiles:
Stacie Jasper, Acquisitions Assistant, Jaqua Law Library