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Although I don’t find my work fun, I still see that it’s still important that I scan and edit these documents because it is necessary that we have digital copies of these records for backup and long-term use. I also feel happy that we are actually putting effort in digitizing these documents, which I feel that these would be useful in the future, and even in the present because of EDCA.

A week after, Kevin and I started our duty in the CSSP Library. Personally, I think it’s the best section I got to work in. Sir Roel was a very enthusiastic supervisor and he toured us around while explaining the various tasks they do. I have been in the CSSP section before, and compared to how it is today, it is much more livelier than before. I like how Sir Roel made the librarians all busy. Before, a librarian manning the front desk will just sit there and read something while checking people’s IDs and bags, but right now, they are required to cover books with plastic while waiting for new clients. Same goes to all the librarians in the section. They each have their own shelf which they need to attend to.  I really had fun on my first day at the CSSP section (I still need to finish 17 hours). Aside from the cool library staff, the experience was more fun because I had a good laugh at Kevin who was forced to cover books for the first time in his life. After Sir Roel showed us how they cover the books, I had to repeat it again to Kuya. His first book cover was a disaster (I should’ve taken a picture of the poor plastic). Eventually, he did learn how to do it and even became better at it. Like I said before, the library staff are required to do at least two things at the same time (or at least, cover books while waiting for clients), and we are required to do this too. While we wait for people asking for reserved books, we had to stand near the booth and cover as much books as we can (I think I finished 10 books). I like working in the reserve section and flirting talking to people. It even makes me feel better if I get to help them. Service, yayy.

I finished my duty in the Cataloging section in just two weeks, which was very fast compared to my precious assignments. Maam Annie is very strict on our schedule and she's very organized. They had all these information sheets and schedules we have to fill up and update everytime we come to work. In the cataloging section, we were to catalog theses and dissertations from CS, CAL, Eng'g and some from Educ and CHE. To be honest, I try to avoid topics on Math and Engineering, because I have a hard time understanding them. I do enjoy cataloging theses from Chem and Bio, and most of the theses I cataloged were from CAL. I catalog theses written in Filipino which Kuya Kevin tries to avoid. It's a good thing that they work with computers now, and staff from the cataloging section are pretty much computer literate. However, like in the Indexing section, some of the computer monitors display are just too bright. There was a time when I wanted to work for 8 hours since I had free time, but I felt really tired after sitting in front of the computer for 4 hours. My hands hurt, especially my right hand which was maneuvering the mouse. My back ached and my eyes hurt like hell. I can cope with cataloging because it's fairly easy but not too monotonous and boring, but sitting and doing just that for 4 hours makes me physically tired. The UP Main Library has very good service and staff, but it really needs to improve its facilities, not just for the use of the library clients, but also for the library staff.

Scanning is monotonous, but I enjoyed the monotony of it because the documents are interesting. I do wonder how Prof. Simbulan thinks of EDCA. The only hazard I can think of is getting tetanus from the rusty staple wires. Which is why I make it a point to wash and disinfect my hands after my duty. 

I spent my first five hours in the Bookbinding section for my UARD duty. It was physically tiring but I have to say I really enjoyed it. It requires crafting skills and I'm lucky to be quite used to making art and other crafts. Shown in these pictures are the equipment and materials used in bookbinding. The third to the last picture shows the two books that I made myself. Sir taught me how to make them and helped me in some of the parts I can't do. Like for example, using the blunt cutting board. He also didn't require me to label the front cover of the books because I burnt my index finger (see the last picture) from taking out a metal bar from the labeling/naming contraption. And I was clearly tired already. The last picture shows the aftermath of the bookbinding. My hands were really dirty and sticky from all that animal glue but I was fine with it. If there's a time that I don't bother getting dirty, it's when I'm making art. And bookbinding, for me, is an art. 

As a conclusion, I think I'm not made for indexing because of its monotony and lack of interaction with the outside environment. I'm not exactly an extrovert and I can cope with being alone, but this job is too dead for me. I need some action in my life. I don't really want to offend all the indexers out there; I know how important and hard it is to index, and it takes skills too. It's just not the right job for me. 

Soo, I went to work today because I realized I only need 4 more hours. It wasn't even my duty today, but I decided to persevere. Again, I worked alone. I had my laptop on because I needed to use IPP, and using my laptop is more comfortable than the PCs in the section, primarily because gooods, the monitor's display is too bright. It hurts my eyes and I can't even imagine why they have it on that setting. I really think it poses some health hazards for the librarians. Goodbye my artist's eyes. Charot. 

As for the Kare-Kare story, it really made me want to have Kare-Kare, so I went to the Coop canteen in SC to have some (I think theirs is good and passable as Kare-Kare). However, I was out of luck, so I didn't get to eat Kare-Kare today.

Anyway, I was the only intern in the department today, and I completed the descriptive part of the worksheets of the magazines. It was pretty gloomy for me, this work. I really think I'll be more happy in the reference service section, but then I would be more tired too. Tired, but happy. Or at least not bored. Indexing, cataloging... I have to admit I don't fancy them so much because they are too monotonous. 

I was pretty early and finished 4 hours today with Kristina and Alfred. They were far away from my workstation so for the first time ever I couldn't talk while at work. I'm pretty sure my supervisors were glad I finally shut up. 

On the 29th, Cha and I can't help but overhear the librarians talking about buying an external hard drive, and they were suggesting to buy from CD-R King because it's cheaper. I cannot do anything but cringe.