A friendly face in the library
When Monique Gosselin decided to return to the workforce after retirement, she had one caveat: no night shifts.
“I had worked as a realtor, a field where you’re on call seven days a week, so I had no problem with weekends or strange hours, but I didn’t want to work at night,” says Gosselin. She had also briefly run her own business offering residential cleaning, so when a friend mentioned the need for concierge services at Concordia, it seemed like a good opportunity.
Picking up the odd shift turned into a one-week contract, and then another, and then two more. Despite her best intentions, Gosselin ended up on the night shift, 11:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., for five years.
It was pretty lonely work, emptying garbage bins and wiping down surfaces throughout the Webster library’s three floors. The CSU inspired student fund to improve the Webster library and create 24/7 access enabled the university to hire one full-time concierge to handle the increased wear and tear. Gosselin was the obvious choice. Ironically, now that the overnight shift has become much less lonely, she’s in the library every day, Monday to Friday, from 1 to 8 p.m.
Being at the Webster during the afternoon and evening since January, she’s starting to recognize some of the students’ faces, and they greet her with a nod. She believes her presence makes a positive difference. “When students see someone cleaning every day, and see the care taken to maintain the premises, they’re more likely to take the time to clean up after themselves.”
She also has gotten to know the library staff. “I see them every day and they are all incredibly nice. I love the ambience,” says Gosselin.
The feeling is mutual. Ask anyone in the library about the changes brought on by the move to 24-hour access, and it isn’t long before they appreciatively mention Gosselin.