Seniorita’s been in a funk, the work equivalent of hiding under a desk and pretending to be invisible.. How could  this possibly be, you might ask: Had technology finally turned me into a babbling fool who was becoming more inept than usual with technology?

But trying to hide isn’t a good employment strategy, so I’m crawling back to reality in baby steps.  Hence, the tale of the big black box (BBB).  It’s really a multitasking copy, fax, scan and email machine that lives here at the library in one of the staff areas.  I usually look at the thing with horror—too many bells and whistles to decipher, too many odd noises, and many other booby traps for the uninitiated and tech weary.  I’ve managed to avoid using the BBB (except for simple photocopying jobs) for at least two years. 

Well, confound it, last week I was forced to meet and greet the BBB big time.  I had to figure out how to scan and email an exam the library had proctored for a distance learning student.  Naturally, my innards churned at the prospect of this puzzle.

Well, here’s the story and the beginning of my coming out from under my desk.  After about a 2-minute lesson from our technology librarian, I learned that I could send off the required document with two simple clicks.  Oh, BBB, I now consider you a best friend and one of the world’s most wonderful machines.  The moral of the story:  Don’t cringe and avoid  whatever piece of technology bugs you.  Find a charming guru, get a lesson, and keep smiling.

Oh, yes, and happy holidays.

-Seniorita

P.S. Share your thoughts and ideas by sending a message to me at seniorita@winnetkalibrary.org