Libraries have always been a little intimidating to me. The endless rows of bookshelves packed with scholarly tomes serve only to remind me of the vastness of that which is unknown to me. Even if I spent every minute of every hour reading, I could only hope to scratch the surface, and since the human brain is by no means a bottomless vessel, retention would soon become an issue.

Still, I gathered up my courage to visit the Eisenhower Library at JHU today, so I could have a quiet place to study. After figuring out how to connect to the wifi network, I found there were plenty of vacant study tables, probably due to most people being away for intersession. As I did not want to be on the main floor with all its distractions, I figured I would find a place on one of the higher floors, preferably by a window. Alas, Eisenhower has no higher floors! So I am now two floors underground, surrounded by unoccupied carrels and imposing bookshelves. Nothing like loneliness to complete the feeling of inadequacy. Guess I have no choice but to actually do some work. Weird — my mission in coming to the library was successful!

Milton S. Eisenhower Library, JHU