Ensign Janai Zol - The First Book Check Out

[Janai Zol]

((Science Lab, Deck 9, USS Valkyrie-A))

Having met Ensign Koyama, it was now time for Janai to achieve her library's first loaning of a book. 

Zol: Understood. I'll let you know about the cultural exchange - I'll run it by Commander Ada and get something set up. In the meantime, would you like to borrow a book?

She sized Madeline up, tried to deduce what she might like to borrow. The library had no science fiction books so far, so what might she like? There were a couple of books on the rivers of Trill, a gift from her brother - maybe those? She watched on as Ensign Koyama looked through the sparse shelves.

Koyama: Absolutely! Any recommendations? I'm good with either fiction or nonfiction. 

Zol: ::Reaching for a book:: Perhaps this one? It is a study on the rivers of Trill, the first of two volumes - I also have the second here, if you like the first. 

Janai watched as Madeline picked up the book. At first, she seemed uninterested, giving the pages only perfunctory glances. But soon she reached the maps, and then she saw her focus, start to read the pages. 

More than a few moments passed before Madeline looked up again.

Koyama: Where did you get this? It's so nice. - The author's wording is .. I don't have a word for it. Unique?

Zol: A gift from my brother - he's a champion swimmer, back home. If I remember correctly he actually met the book's author during a river swim. The man is quite eccentric, from what I've heard. He lives as a nomad, walking and swimming along the rivers of Trill. It gives him an interesting viewpoint - I found his prose entrancing too.

Madeline nodded and then smiled. 

Koyama: So - Do I need a library card or can I check it out on the honor system?

Janai had not thought that far. Looking at her little library, there were a lot of things she had not done yet. 

Zol: The honor system's fine - we're all on the same starship after all. Where would lost books even go? Just bring the book back when you're done with it, and feel free to grab the second one as well.

Koyama: Response

Now that it was only Madeline who wanted to borrow a book, being a bit loose with the system was fine. But what would happen when more people sought out books? 

Zol: It's not necessary now, but it might be smart to eventually set up a system to track the books. It's not needed now, but as the library grows it might become necessary, if only to keep note of who has what. What do you think?

Koyama: Response

Janai tapped on the shelves, considering.

Zol: The shelves need some love as well. They're nice, but a bit plain, no? Some decorations would be good. Or at least some signs to help people navigate them.

Koyama: Response

--

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Ensign Janai Zol

Science Officer

USS Valkyrie-A, NCC-76418-A
V240304JZ2