on volunteering

[tisiphone]

So, I started my volunteer job last week. Right now it's only two shifts a month (about five hours). I wish it was longer, but I need to learn about the objects and do curator object handling training, so I'll have plenty to do for the time being. I absolutely love it. First of all, playing with stuff this old is amazing. I mean, actually picking up a Roman denarius or a Bronze Age chariot fitting, holding it in your hand, it's indescribable. Second, I love how it brings people out of themselves. Even people who are shy and think they'll drop things get incredibly animated over it. I'm reading up on the periods I'm doing over the next week and a half, to make sure I can answer questions like "how much is that worth?" (Answer: a day's wages, to a Roman :) I also think when I get to pick my own objects I'll make sure to always have at lease one thing about that is very durable, like the coins. That way people that are anxious can feel more comfortable about it all.

Comments

[erik]

Yup. One of my most treasured memories is from when I was a Herald, doing some research and actually handling—using—period volumes at the Newberry.

[tisiphone.livejournal.com]

It really is fascinating, isn't it?

[erik]

Quite. I mean, rocks are old. Everyone who isn't a creationist knows that rocks are millions of years old.

But holding something that some person made a thousand years ago is a whole different thing.