Curly Queue

Lamont's lobby, said a fifth anniversary visitor last year, looks a good deal like a theater foyer. But, unlike theaters, which try to keep their turnstiles spinning, each night Lamont turns its checkout system into an immense glass-and-marble bottleneck.

Despite the addition of a second checkout desk, lines clog the lobby at the 9 p.m. signout hour, and the student who has already checked out his books must wait for a pink-card inspection just to get out of the building.

Admittedly, lines of some sort are unavoidable. But the waiting imposed on those who have already signed for their books need not continue. The third checkout desk in the lobby should be opened for these borrowers. They could then file past rapidly, displaying pink cards as they leave. In this way, they would not have to waste time in a line slowed by others checking out their books. Getting into the study facilities behind the theater-like lobby may be Lamont's main attraction, but getting out swiftly should at least be a second feature.