The first day

Yesterday was the first time I came to work at the Atwater library: here's my perceptions of my first day of internship.

My first impressions

My first day spent at the library was very pleasant: the atmosphere was warm and relaxed. I suppose the fact that it's a small place has to do with it. Everyone knows each other and they seem to be close. Aude showed me around and she also explained the library’s classification system. Then, she showed me how to use Mandarin, the system they use to see whose books are past the due date, etc. She made me feel comfortable and gave me useful answers.

Linguistic observations

The people who work at the Atwater library speak only in English. I was there for three whole hours and not once did I hear someone interacting in French. In the whole library, there is only one shelf reserved for French books. I'm totally immersed in an English-speaking environment and I don't feel out of place!

Cultural observations

Curiously, I didn't feel that the English-speaking people who work at the Atwater library were less "warm" than the French speakers. In fact, Aude is a very friendly person and so is Kelly, a volunteer who works at the reception. Nevertheless, I did observe that the older ladies who work as volunteers were less likely to show enthusiasm or to be demonstrative with someone they just met.

Newly learned words

I learned a few technical words that I have never heard of before. When Aude said, "Then you check the dewey…" I stopped her and asked what it meant. She explained that it's a term referring to the Dewey Decimal Classification system, a proprietary library classification system named after its inventor's last name. Then she mentioned something very similar: the term "cutter", which comes from the Cutter Expansive Classification system which is a library classification system devised by Charles Ammi Cutter.

I also learned that the word "paperback" refers to a type of book characterized by a thick paper instead of a hardcover. I am looking forward to learn more new or difficult words in the next weeks so I can enlarge my vocabulary.

Here is a fun way to conclude my post: I received a free membership card!  See you in two weeks!