YU's Mendel Gottesman Library's floor layout is notorious. Due to the bizarre architecture, and probably also due to bizarre zoning regulations, the library has a number of "half-floors". For example, there's 2A between floors 2 and 3, and 3A between 3 and 4.
In any case, this is the button array that greets most people in the two standard library elevators (this picture from Elevator No. 2):
However, there is also "Elevator No. 3". This elevator is used by librarians, and requires use of a key to call and ride. With one exception. So as not to potentially cause problems, I won't tell you what the exception is, but feel free to push all the elevator buttons you can find in the library.
I found that I was able to call Elevator No. 3 without a key. When it arrived, I was amazed to see the huge array of floors available to this particular elevator:
Aside from the standard floors, this elevator also included floors GL, GU, 3, 5R and 6! It also had four door open/close buttons. Eager to discover the hidden mysteries of the library I quickly pushed those buttons. But, alas, although I was able to call the elevator, without a key I could not ride it to any of those floors. Then the doors closed and the thing started moving. I knew this meant that a librarian had called the elevator, and knew I might get caught. So I figured that wherever it wound up, I'd just pretend like I belonged there.
When it got to the 6th floor, I said "Hi" to the librarian and started walking. It almost worked. She hesitated, looked at me in a puzzled fashion, and finally asked, "Do you have permission to be here? This floor isn't open to the public." So I played dumb and told her I didn't know that, but before she made me leave could I at least take a picture?
The sixth floor - not so exciting, to be honest. Maybe another time I'll find a way to explore the area more fully.
Well Eli, it stands to reason that if you can call an elevator without the key, you should be able to use it without one. Keep trying. I hear all kinds of rumors about the secrets of 5R.
ReplyDeleteJust don't get caught, and be careful. I hear the librarians read this blog.
Also can you get it to go to a legitimate floor. Then when they stop you at 6, explain that you were just on your way to 2, when the elevator was rudely diverted.
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