Although I haven't been able to spend much time in here lately, the library carrel I have in the main library at Illinois has been one of my most treasured writing instruments.

Maybe it's just superstition, but I feel so much more focused in here. Writing sessions at home rarely last more than an hour or two. In the carrel, four hours or more are standard. The lack of wireless internet access probably contributes the most to these longer sessions. (Not that I waste time looking at frivolous blogs about moleskine notebooks, pens, and web 2.0 vaporware--it's all legitimate research spurred by citation requirements in the diss!)

Of course, there's more to it than lack of web distractions. As you can see, it's a spartan room, and small. Some people like to write at those tables in the library, looking up at everyone who walks by, but I need the walls. Even those half carrels with little dividers aren't enough (although I use those at the libraries in Bloomington-Normal when necessary)--actual walls are the best. The closer to a monk's cell the better I guess.

Note the pretty flowers left by previous occupant, as well as moleskine notebook (featured in earlier post) on the desk. Also, for some reason, two non-functioning lamps. And an inoperable clock. I think the less I do to make this space "my own," the more I'm able to keep it my superstitious productivity area.

Although there are windows that could be potentially distracting, as you can tell, it's not much of a view. The shelves contain journals on economics and business theory, so no temptations there either.

For the last several weeks, sprinklers have been installed in all the carrels for fire safety, and the screeching sound of cutting metal pipes has kept me far away from my carrel and the library. After Thanksgiving though, I'm hoping they'll be done, or at least moved on to somewhere out of earshot.