By: Campus Reporter
The library at Columtreal University exists. For a while, it seems like studying was not that much on the minds of students. Nothing was going on there; the building had fallen to the wayside and minds were being educated in dorms, often about and over illegal substances.
Now, however, there is a place for students to go to and study and use media and technology resources. This has only been achieved through a concerted effort to bring the formerly dusty library at CU back by two of the city’s latest additions: Professor Malrot Brenno and library assistant and student, Xiamara Charlesworth.
The Observer decided to meet with the pair to find out where they’ve sprung from and why they chose CU and what is this mysterious hub they are intending on building up inside of the University?
Observer: “Give us a little background about yourselves.”
Malrot Brenno: “Name’s Malrot Brenno. I taught Ancient History and Art back in Italy for a lot of years…Then, for some personal reasons, I moved out here. Fresh start, new country. Xia helped me get my feet under me when I arrived. I sent my resume to CU, they picked it up, and now here we are with this project to reorganize and rebuild the university library. Trying to make the place worth the money they spent on it, huh.“
Xiamara Charlesworth: “I was on hiatus, travelling, actually. When I met Malrot I was quite clueless and naive, totally hopeless really, and he rescued me from a man with bad intentions… In any case, I landed in Hathian, heard of the university from a local and I dunno… the place caught my fancy as a sort of opportunity to make something of myself. It’s no Stanford, but the community is something else here. Malrot reached out… displaced, and of course, who could ever say no in that case?”
Observer: “And how are you settling in? What else has interested you besides your field?“
X.C: “…It’s lovely. It’s coming along really well… in any case, I’ve met some great people here and see the professors and other leaders really do care… so I don’t mind commuting and continuing with the time investment. We still have our apartment nearby for a few more weeks… but honestly, we recently moved closer to Laveau…besides, I kinda have to be invested… got classes to attend since I don’t wanna fail. Beyond that, still trying to figure my major out… so enjoying the discovery. Though frankly, medicine seems to be an interest lately.“
Observer: “What do you hope to achieve at the library?”
X.C: “There’s a lot to do… but we’re well under way. We got the microfiche in last week, there are computers arriving since not all students have a laptop… printers…and so on… were cataloguing, completing collections, adding new ones to make this a place Columtreal can benefit from and be even more proud of, since it’s a wonderful space already, even if the place was really, really dusty when we got here.”
Observer: “What have you been focusing on besides re-organizing the library?“
M.B: “While reorganizing the library and taking in book donations from different supporters, we ended up gettin’ our hands on some very rare writings. Some of ’em… pretty bizarre or straight-up esoteric or black magic themes. I’m talking stuff like the ‘Grimoire of the Ghede Bones’ by Papa Seneque Duvante… the ‘Vodun Codex’ of Baron Samedi… even the ‘Night-Veil Grimoire of Voodoo Queens’. Controversial as hell, but historically valuable. And rare. So, we’re creating a protected section for these titles. Both because they’re worth a damn fortune and because there’s a lot of legend and folklore around ’em…And with all the unhinged folks runnin’ around… you don’t want some crackhead thinkin’ he can summon spirits or whatever just because he got his hands on the wrong book. Better to keep ’em safe, controlled, and accessible only to people who actually know what they’re lookin’ at.”
Observer: “How do you feel about Columtreal University as an institution? What would you like to see expanded on in the University in relation to studies or the institute itself?”
M.B: “So… what we noticed here is pretty simple. Students have everything: gyms, music rooms, bars, coffee shops, places to party. Every kind of space you can think of. But one thing was missing. The use of the library. A place where they can get materials they need and actually focus on studying. That’s where the idea came from. Something basic, essential, but somehow unloved and not really in use. We pitched bringing it back to life to Columtreal, and the administration and faculty backed us up. They put their trust in us, and we’re grateful for that. And also, after this, we thought it could become a hub for local traditions and cultures.”
X.C: “Actually, being a student here myself, it really highlighted for me how many of us come from such different backgrounds. So… when Mal got the project, we sort of converged on the need to have an established library… not just as an essential or a place to study, but to provide access equally.
We have lots of students studying here on scholarship… for example. And most of the time, the textbooks costs too much so they make copies… which also winds up costing significant money. One of the things we plan to incorporate is to make even such things available at the library… since not all professors have online textbooks or copies.”
Go Study – Your Brain Will Thank You
The Professor and his assistant are hard at work to get the library at Columtreal shipshape with focus. The ‘esoteric texts’ may form the basis for an enlightened circle but the students who seek knowledge will likely not be accessing such exciting material; but they do appear to be relieved to finally have access to resources that were previously not available, with one telling the Observer:
“I can actually study and stuff now.”
