Roanoke College is in a constant phase of change. Every corner of the campus is shifting. As the plates of what makes Roanoke College shift and collide, everything else is waiting for the quakes to reach them. I am not here to argue if the loss of many staff and faculty has resulted in the changes seen in the colors of commons or the new housing that is going up for next semester because honestly that is a completely different kind of article.
I like to think that I write articles about small things that individuals can do in the crazy chaos that is the end of semester and year that will have an impact. Campus is changing. I am still waiting for the lights to be fixed, please! With the changes they start to creep into certain spaces that I think they do not need to be. Everyone has their favorite spot on campus, and they are not all in the same spots. But every year since I have started at Roanoke College, I have found solace in Fintel Library.
As someone who loves books and history, Fintel has always been a place of discovery. Even though the heat makes it difficult, in the winter months I am in Fintel all the time to explore. There are so many things in Fintel that most students do not know about, and because of that we are at risk of losing it as more and more things move into Fintel. In the basement of Fintel, there are the archives filled with old books, but if you have an appointment, you can handle them yourself. My sophomore year, I got to hold and flip through seven books that dated between 1800 and 1810. It was one of the coolest experiences that I have ever had. Not only was I trusted with the books but all I had to do was ask.
Also, in the bottom of Fintel there are stacks of bound periodicals. These magazines can give students a snapshot into the past. They are also fun to flip through just for a good laugh because they are filled with articles and advertisements. By doing a small thing and moving the periodicals off the shelves and on to the carts, we can express their importance and make sure that they stay on the shelves for years to come.
Nina Earle
Staff Reporter
