Sabrina C.

Reaves
Ms. Hollins
Pre-AP Lit.
27 October 2016
Sabrina C. Reaves
Ms. Hollins
Pre-AP Lit.
29 Oct 2016

Field Observation at a Library

In my field observation, I visited the St. Louis Lewis & Clark Branch Library. It's located at

9909 Lewis Clark Boulevard. The first time I visited, I stayed from 3:30-7:30 PM on Oct. 4th. As

I walked through the entryway, I immediately sat down at the nearest table I could find.

Overlapping noises (moderate in sound) are heard from a distance, as well as the sound of the

automatic doors swooshing noise when opening & closing. When I surveyed the library, I saw

people of all ages & attire. There was a little black girl dressed in an eccentric styling, not too

unconventional from that of a typical child at her age, in a windowed-off room, filled with lined

up, advance-model computers & people tacking on keys in swift motions, some with headphones

on. They appeared as if they all were apart of one major circuit board, of course if you didnt

include an occasional glance. Yes, the library was somewhat quiet but it had its many

conversations. I was sitting at a silver, platform table with a charging port that had a panel in the

middle of the table. As I was pondering over where I should start, (also how the library has been

upgraded in tech style) I see a young guy, who was probably a pre-teen saunter over to the front

counter, from which appears to be to check out a book. I quickly walk over to get in better

earshot. P:I would like to borrow a few books. L:I'm sorry, but you can't do that. You may

only get one at a time. P: Oh, okay. I'd like to get The Raven, he says sheepishly. The librarian

paused & smiled slightly. L:Author Edgar Allan Poe? P:Oh sorry, yes. Good thing it's

famous, he says while chuckling endearingly. L:Yes, yes it is. You're fine, she says laughing a

little. Its just an interesting choice for someone your age. The guy looked perplexed, as he
Sabrina C. Reaves
Ms. Hollins
Pre-AP Lit.
27 October 2016
fiddled with his inner jacket. P:Is it available? L:Oh yes, my bad. Let me check for you. She

starts to scan the computer screen, specialized in her craft, as she mechanically moved the black

mouse pad, and clicked out of sync with her movements. L:Yes, it is available. P:Thank you.

L:Do you need me to show you where it is? P: No. She looked worried, you could tell by

how she kept every now & then peeked a glance or few in his direction. L:Excuse me, young

man can you come here for a minute? He closes the book he was briefly looking over, making a

small thud noise & carries it over with him as he walks over. P:Yes? L:Where is your old

book you checked out? P:Book checked out? L:Yes, Frankenstein The Modern

Prometheus? P:Oh yeah, that's what I left in her car. P:Could you wait for a sec? I

accidentally left my book there inside. L:Yes, but I'll have to ask you to put The Raven back in

it's proper place, until you retrieve & bring it back. P:Why, I'm already planning on checking it

out. L:Until your book is brought back, we want to give other people the chance to read it too.

He looked like he was about to argue, but soon left after putting the book back. I looked over at

the librarian & she had wasted no time in getting back to work on her computer, tacking &

ticking away. Soon after that, the guy from earlier comes back as the sound of his feet hit the

metal detector, making a sort of clanking noise as he walks up to the front desk. L: What's the

due date? P: Uh.. L:Sir? P: Ah, it was October 3rd. L:Youll have to pay the fine, its 1

day late. Before he could do anything, his mother ushered him off, paid the 1 day late fee which

was 20 cents, & soon left afterwards. In the aftermath of the woman & her unusual child, there

wasn't much to observe, except for the kids playing fervently in the child's section, people typing

on their computers, escaping of sounds coming from peoples video games or audiobooks, &

librarians assisting patrons. So far, it was how it usually was, except for when long lines are at
Sabrina C. Reaves
Ms. Hollins
Pre-AP Lit.
27 October 2016
the computer printers. On my 2nd day observing the Lewis & Clark Branch Library, from 4:00-

7:00PM, I noticed things were so far the same as yesterday. While I thought this, I scanned over

the library passing over the childrens area with details like the Big & Little Dipper made from

lights, the copy & fax machines, & the teen area. I drifted my eyes also over the uniform & neat

book shelves, the empty aisles, & the many sections (such as the windowed-off computer rooms,

child & teen areas, etc) in the library. As I sit down, my eyes caught sight of a study room that

looks like an office cubicle with a man who was a tutor, judging from his hand gestures, & the

woman who was taking notes. Suddenly, I'm interrupted by a womans obnoxious typing &

fussing by the computers near the front desk, & now by a teenage girl. She had this large chip

bag in her purse, & made loud noises. The librarian who was once putting books away, headed

over to her computer. L: Excuse me young lady. P:Yes? L: You may not have food or

beverages within the library. P:Why not? I'm not affecting anyone. L:You have already

smudged the keys in an attempt to brush all of the crumbs surrounding the computer. If we can

not manage to get it off, well send you or a guardian a fine. The teen went back forth with the

librarian until she told her she'll have to dispose of the chips, take it outside, or leave the library

which made her go. While I was shocked, I saw a woman typing on her computer & the screen

read something about offering Mango Languages from 2:00-4:00PM. I found more on my own

about the register date, that each & every class was free, & what registered students must do. I

never heard about Mango Languages, nor that they were offered here. After the several

disturbances that day, there wasn't much needed to go in depth to show this day had been the

most strangest of all.

Sabrina C. Reaves
Ms. Hollins
Pre-AP Lit.
27 October 2016
In Conclusion, what I learned from my field observation at the Lewis and Clark Library was that

they provide Mango Languages which can be accessed through a library card, as well as the rule

of no food or beverages, & or loud noise is what can upset the balance between normality &

abnormality here.