from where I sit

Woo, disappeared from blogger for a bit there. I had to open my own blog to see when I last was here - over a week ago.

Well, summer semester kicked off, and I've got an almost full slate of summer tutees. So it's been busy with the figuring out of logistics and getting schedules meshed. Now we should all settle in for a raucous time that is the world of densely packed summer classes. The semester's nearly a third of the way complete!

But recall, a few months ago, I mentioned that our library was renovating the bathrooms - going from traditional men's/ women's to one big all-gender bathroom? It is done. I took it for a test drive

It's not really one big room. It's a big space with a partition wall down the middle. I've attempted a crude top-down diagram...

The thick lines represent the walls. The larger stalls in back are for disabilities. 

The first thing I noticed is how big the doorless entrance is. It's possible to see people at the sinks from the hallway entrance. 

I support the all-genderedness as it will also be helpful for people accompanying their opposite gendered young children or elderly, but it was admittedly weird. Not the cultural norm.

The stalls have floor-to-ceiling doors - something we Americans are not used to (except for at Buc-ee's).

Here's the view from within:

The big metal thing on the right, I believe, is an alternative hook for purses, backpacks, etc. along with a shelf thing for tablets, laptops...

I found it a bit claustrophobic, but certainly sturdy and certainly private.

Good enough, gets the job done. I didn't notice a diaper changing table, but surely they're in there. I guess I don't really look for those these days.

There were "feminine hygiene" dispensers on both sides - more noticeable I guess, but also things I no longer look for *ahem*

Anyway, that's my quick update. I'm headed out for a volunteer event this morning. Should be a lovely day for it. 

Not sure of the bathroom facilities for that, I'll report back.