• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

Thursday, 5/1/97 Powell attracts its millionth 'guest' No twin arches, but still a great place to study, read, and sleep

By Michelle Navarro Daily Bruin Contributor Powell Library recently joined the ranks with fast-food giant McDonald's in that it is now officially a member of the elite "Over one million served" clique. Without a clue about the excitement and crowd that awaited her behind the doors to Powell Library, Llanyee Liwanpo, a first-year biochemistry student, stepped into the library and became the millionth visitor Wednesday morning. "I had no idea. I never expected anything," Liwanpo said, "I walked in and saw a whole bunch of people, but I thought it was a tour or something. Then someone said, 'Oh, there she is.'" The anticipation for the event has been building up among the library employees during the past week while they kept their eyes glued to the increasing number posted in the entrance of the Powell Library. "When the number reached around 200 short, we all went down to the lobby. Some students even walked out and then back in again to try and be the one," said Eleanor Mitchell, head librarian of Powell Library. "When she walked in, the crowd broke into spontaneous cheering." Llanyee received a certificate reading, "You're one in a million," a Powell tote-bag, a t-shirt, and a bag of blue and gold jellybeans, all for her grand entrance into the building affectionately known to students as the "concentration camp." "We have an electric counter on the door. It counts the number of people going in and the number of people going out of the library," Mitchell said, "we check it every single day and then divide that number in half. Everyone who comes in has to leave, at least we hope they do." Mitchell said they began the count when the library opened in September 1996. From that moment on, the counter has been rolling, as students continue to use the library for its resources, as well as for the old, comfy couches, hard wooden desks, and a huge computer lab. "I come here a lot at night, mostly to study and use the computer lab, because it's open. At home I don't really study because there are too many distractions - I'd rather sleep. I can sleep here but it hurts my arm and I drool," said Derald Brenneman, a fourth-year political science student. According to Mitchell, Powell has been very popular. Features like Night Powell, the beauty of the architecture and the computer lab have made it the hot spot among libraries. "I come here to check my e-mail and to study because it's prettier," said Cassandra Flenker, a fourth- year business economics student. "All the architecture makes me actually feel like I'm (at) a higher institution of learning, as opposed to URL, which looks like a mental hospital." SHAWN LAKSMI/Daily Bruin Yesterday at approximately 11:10 a.m., the one millionth visitor walked into the new Powell Library. Llanyee Liwanpo is a first year bio-chemistry student. She received a tote bag with a T-shirt and jellybeans inside. Related Links: College Library's home page

Comments

Post a comment