September 18 - 28
The II Office Olympiad of the Modern Era
The Olympic spirit arrived with Office Olympics 2000: the Games from Down Under! Sponsored by Libraries & Media Services, events began on Monday, September 18, and closed on Thursday, September 28.
Participation was open to staff of Libraries & Media Services, regardless of geographical location, and to all staff from other units who worked in the Main Library building. Student employees were included.
Events were held each day from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Venues were throughout the Library and its nearby territories. Although designed to be wild and crazy, the Games were planned so as not to disrupt users and visitors to the Main Library.
Week 1 |
Monday, Sept.18Opening Ceremony
Diskus ThrowVenue: The Outback (aka Field of Dreams, east side of Library) Description: This event offers a trip down Memory Lane for those who are old enough to remember the 5.25" diskus as standard equipment. The Interdivisional Olympic Committee (yes, that same IOC) has unearthed enough disks to challenge Olympic athletes to see just how far they can throw these. Judges: Wei-ping Zhang, Diane May |
Tuesday, Sept.19Crocodile Cable CoilingVenue: The Outback (aka Field of Dreams, east side of Library) Description: his is a timed event.The athlete who can coil the 100-foot length of coax (the stiff kind, you can't wrap this around your elbow) in the shortest time is the winner. Judges: Dan Tonelli Walk-About Telephone TagVenue: Room 161, Reference Office Description: Remember phone training? Well, here is your chance to demonstrate your telephony proficiency. Walk-About Telephone Tag will feature two-person teams pushing the envelope on telephone transfer along with other office skills. The entire event will be timed. Any tie in the timed event will be broken based on the subjective judging of the artistic quality of the drawing the participants create at the end of the event. Judges: Cindy Rasmussen & Mary Lovin |
Wednesday, Sept.20Outback RelayVenue: Collection Management, Room 370 Description: Another all-terrain, team event. Seen by some as reckless as some X-style sports. Imagine an event that requires team members to work through stops in Technical Services with no opportunity to catch their breath. Success will undoubtedly lay in how well they are able to pass the wand from one functional area to the next. Will seeing really be believing? Judges: Anita Martin and Margaret Maurer
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Thursday, Sept.21LC ShuffleVenue: Tasmania (1st floor sorting range) Description: So you think you know the Library of Congress classification system! This is a test to see how well you can display that knowledge in practice and under the gun of the clock. Bound to be a pressure-cooker event for both participants and observers. Judges: Bob Gray
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Friday, Sept.22Pennant Stair SprintVenue: Olympic Stairdome (the back northeast stairway next to the May 4th room) Description: Demonstrate your aerobic capacity and manual dexterity at the same time! In this event, it is not enough to get a good start off the blocks. Olympians will endeavor to do stairs and collect/assemble their pennant within the allotted time. Judges: Kay Dennis and Michelle Kocher
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Week 2 |
Monday, Sept.25Rubberband ArcheryVenue: Emeriti Range (Room 122) Description: Deer hunters may have an edge on this one. Athletes shoot rubberbands to knock over standing CD-ROMs (in their cases). Judges: Lynn Papenfus & Diane May
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Tuesday, Sept.26Book Balance BeamVenue: The Gymnasium on Ayers Rock (Special Collections' Reading Room, 1212 Library) Description: It is pretty darn obvious that there is alot of experience among staff in walking a thin line. This is a chance to put that hard-earned experience to use and dazzle the competition. With our direct line to Coach Bella Karoli, there's the possibility this could lead to something even bigger. Although only women will complete in the balance beam competition in Sydney, the Office Olympics 2000 Book Balance Beam competition will be open to anyone who has enough gumption to sign up. Judges: Kate Medicus, Jeanne Somers, Nancy Birk, Maggie Castllani
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Wednesday, Sept.27Jackaroo Jiggler RelayVenue: The Outback (aka Field of Dreams, east side of Library) Description: You may be an accomplished adult, but your childhood experiences could give you the competitive edge in this event. If you can imagine the sensory pleasure of combining the taste of JELL-O, the thrill of teamwork, and the beauty of the great Outback, this is the event for you. The picture this paints is already unforgettable. Judges: Leela Balraj & Joy Leavy
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Thursday, Sept.28Closing Medal Ceremony |
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