Xin Yan Wang
My experience with the ICC Book Night was one of great surprise, in both exploring the Murakami Library and the friends that I made in a single night. Personally, I do not do well in party situations and I am quite anxious when meeting new people, so I was actually quite nervous when I arrived! But as soon as I stepped in, all the staff were understanding and they warmly welcomed me. Throughout the tour, the first impressions I received from the Murakami Library was this: calm, casual, but thoughtful. This theme became prevalent in the design of the interior. From the ceiling to each nook and cranny, the clean organization, jazz music, wood decor, and off-white walls, care has been meticulously put into the entire library. It felt classy, but not the uncomfortably regal kind, but rather a cozy lobby. It feels nice to be here. I can say this since I am currently writing in the lounge of the library!
After the tour, we were separated into groups and I was lucky to be placed with a diverse cast of bookworms: a masters (MPhil) student with a lot of life experience, a quiet but charming international student, and a young-at-heart lecturer who is also from Vancouver, Canada! Together we made for a knowledgeable and fun group that got along well and, most importantly (sarcasm), we won first place in the book hunt activity! I admit I spent more time eating snacks because I skipped lunch, but before I finished my second cookie they already knew which book to find. Impressive!
The actual main takeaway of this memorable night was not this victory but it was the connections we were able to make. I was able to learn a lot about practical aspects of life via the experience of my teammates, such as current events, job-seeking, politics, technology, and workplace relations. Even though I have always learned of these things through news, media,and books, the spoken word of those who directly work and experience these topics are still irreplaceable. The raw verbal transmission of knowledge proves to be the most effective way to learn — as well as the most memorable and personal. This makes the lessons we learn from each other all the more enjoyable and unforgettable.
And this, I believe, is the magic of the library. Sure, you have all the knowledge surrounding you, waiting to be opened. But so are the people around you. Their life experiences and knowledge are just one good conversation away from being gleaned; what you gain is more than just information, but also a friend! For some people, this is more accessible than a book. But for others, it is the book that is more accessible. Luckily, the library has both!
The Murakami Library is the sort of environment that encourages all types of learning, verbal and literary. And so, I highly encourage you to make use of this wonderful facility. Go make some friends, enjoy the music, and read!
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