The university library plays a very critical part in the facilitation of relationship dynamic and healthy family proliferation.
It just so happens, that on a Monday some 3o years ago, in the campus library of Evangel College and Seminary, a certain Kent Primrose sauntered in to the shelved sanctuary to serenade his mind with the wisdom of ancient Greek scholars. Before settling into his usual corner carrel, he ran into his sister Cindy Primrose. Cindy was the Residence Advisor on a hall that housed a little blonde hair, blue-eyed number named Lisa Kupsak.
Now, it is important to our story that I note how, in the week prior to this library visit, Kent had approached this cute blonde and asked Lisa if she would join him for dinner. Lisa, having approved of his tweed jacket and large stack of scholarly reading material, said she was flattered but was unfortunately going home for the weekend to see the dentist. Kent responded, “Oh that’s alright, can I call you on Monday?” and Lisa smiled with a “Yes.”
Alright, fast-forward back to Monday afternoon, and the library-whispered dialogues of Cindy and Kent. The brother and sister recap their weekends, discuss the new news from Mom and Dad, and then Cindy taunts Kent, “I hear you have a date for Valentines day!” “I do?” responds the confused and oblivious Kent. “Yeah, Lisa said that you asked her to go on a date tonight.” “I did?” responds the confused and oblivious, “Well, excellent. Thanks for letting me know.”
Here is where our dialogue concludes, Kent proceeds to his Greek studies now with the new knowledge of a schedule he must accommodate. Cindy returns to her reading, and somewhere across campus, Lisa Kupsak anticipates her evening date.
You see, a library is where vitally important, direly consequential, life-changing decisions are birthed. If Kent Primrose hadn’t ventured to the campus library that day, he may never have spoken with his sister on that Monday, February the 14th, and if he had never spoken to Cindy, he would have never know about his evening’s plans. And if he had remained unaware of his date he would have unknowingly stood-up THE Lisa Kupsak; And let me tell you, Lisa Kupsak was one hot commodity, you don’t forget a date you make with that lady! And if we had stood up Lisa Kupsak, she would have never given him a second chance - you know, a heart once spurned sort of thing. And if Lisa Kupsak had never given Kent another chance, than she would never have become Lisa Primrose. And if she had never become Lisa Primrose, than you, my kind readers, would never have happened across this humble blogger, writing romanitic drivel and nonsense. The rest of the story dictates itself.
And so this one narrative and many others, not here recorded, affirms the thesis that university libraries play a very critical part in the facilitation of relationship dynamic and healthy family proliferation; especially those relationship found on the bible school campus.
Perhaps it is an appropriate time to congratulate CIU on its new and beautiful G. Allen Fleece Library. This center for study has only been open one week to the student body, but I am confident that its academic influence will significantly affect every attending student’s GPA, as well as their social and relational prospects. The average conversation amongst CIU Rams this week has unfolded somewhat like this, “Oh hey, What are you up to?” “Oh, I dunno, thought I might go to the library” “Sweet, I’ll join you.” Campus characters infamous for their apathetic regard toward academia have been spotted en route to ‘Fleece’, some even camped in what they label “their study room,” “their couch,” or “their carrel.”
The library has hosted many a prank this week, christening its nooks and shelves with a comic relief to preamble the hours of strict study still to come.
The library has hosted a no-pressure environment to academically mask what might be a couple’s first “date” – study date, of course.
The library has hosted an anthem of new beginnings this week by sitting its students in those comfortable study room lumbar-supporting swivel chairs, telling them with each reclining rock, that they are going to be even more diligent this semester.
So come on down to G. Allen Fleece, sit in one of our glass-walled study rooms so you have to smile and make eye-contact with every date-worthy candidate that passes by. Visit our cappuccino vending machine in the coffee nook so that you can feign short just one quarter and enlist the help of that cutie in the bean-bag you’ve been trying to work the nerve to talk to. Oust the old art of text-flirting and try out the new Fleece-technique, “Pardon, kind stranger, May I unplug your charged computer? I need the electrical outlet.” (Sealed with a wink)
I wish you all the best in your Study endeavors. Glad to be home, CIU.
-Lael Primrose