After my wonderful experience last week, I learn one thing that I need to start incorporating into Operation CoWork. I should give each location on my list at minimum two days, whether it’s back-to-back or spread out. This way I can give more of an informed opinion. So this week I headed out to another local library on my list – the Macon Branch.
Photo credit: Brooklynpubliclibrary.orgI didn’t know what to expect, just hope that I could get some work done in a quiet place and have access to an outlet. I haven’t been to the Macon Branch in years, probably sometime back in Junior High. It was the closest to the school, so whenever I had to any type of school assignment to be done, you can be certain that were I was. Well it has change just a little bit. It looks more spacious from what I could remember. I don’t even remember it having more than one level, let along a quiet room and elevator (one day I will take it to see where it goes).
On the first day, upon entering I asked if there was a place where I could work with my laptop and the polite librarian pointed to the quite room as well as a table near the elevator which is set aside for laptop users only. Also next to there, is a build-in bench area that has outlets on each side, so at the most a total of 6 people (with one device each) can juice up at a time. I should mention that all of this is the children area.
I opted for the benches because my laptop wasn’t 100% charged but kept an eye for when a seat at the laptop table freed up. After two hours my laptop was all charged and in I was able to move to the table. Thank goodness because working with my laptop on my lap was become a pain and getting a little hot. I can’t seem to get use to noisy libraries though.
I so dislike those who don’t use headphones when listening or watching music/videos on their phones. It’s one thing to do it on the bus/train but in the library its just…sigh. As it got closer to the end of the school day, the noise level increased. It was at that moment I wish I had three batteries because maybe then I could have stay in the quiet room for my entire stay. I was however able to put in 5 hours, which isn’t bad. My second visit went better. For one I arrived before they opened. It was a little noisy in the beginning but pretty good until school let out. At one point they got real wild and I tried to stick it out as long as possible. Maybe its because I am getting older but I don’t think me and my friends weren’t that bad (well Jr High not so much but HS maybe – aha the memories). I will work again at the Macon Branch, mainly because I like the fact I can work on a sturdily table.
I am so glad that I am visiting libraries now because come spring/summer, they will be off limits for me. Besides actually coworking locations, I am already looking at cafes and outdoor areas where there’s free wifi. I will go from dealing with school kids to working adults taking their lunch break outside (can’t wait to go to Bryant Park).
Cost of Coworking at Macon Library Branch: $0
Cost of running Operation CoWork (as of 1/27/12): $18.00
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