The rest of the morning and afternoon quickly passed while doing more research on runes and rituals. A few students asked me for help. I did my best to help them come to the correct conclusions on their own, just like my best instructors had.

Other instructors made brief appearances in the library, as was their habit. Some of the more likable ones did field a few questions from their current students, but most made excuses and left quickly.

It was disturbing that students did not get much help here in the library. Sure, the librarians did help students find books they were interested in, but they couldn’t answer many questions, not being mages. Why have I never noticed this before? Simple answer, I was too intent on discovering new knowledge myself and not paying attention to others. Should more be done? As an instructor, I assumed that my simply helping anyone that asked was what I should do. Many of the instructors did not do this outside of their classrooms. This behavior bothered me. Why not aid students here in the library where they seek to learn? Did the other instructors think that it made better mages to have this 'sink or swim' attitude?

How best to change this was the next question stuck in my mind. Having one or more teachers here could certainly help. I would continue to answer questions while here, but it's evident that the other instructors wouldn't be willing to do the same.

Watching the other students about the library, I took note of a few groups trying to work together to help one another. Encouraging that activity would be the best solution, and it would not directly involve the other instructors.

Over the years here, I had wandered through every part of this library, including the many side rooms. One of those rooms held a possible answer. I quickly gathered my things and stashed them behind the librarian's desk, much to their surprise, but they did not stop me.

Going to a group of older students, I made an offer, "I need the help of a few of you. Is there anyone here interested in making a few coppers?"

A fair number agreed quickly. Earning extra coin here in the school was nearly impossible to my knowledge unless you took one of the student jobs provided by the school.

"Excellent, leave your things here and follow me, please."

Leading the group to what amounted to a storage room in the back of the library, I put them to work. "Okay, this big desk needs to be carried out to, hum, where to put this? Take it to the center of the study area, just outside of the sitting area under the big stained-glass window." Four of the students shrugged and started the task.

"Now those two matching tables, the smaller ones." Off they went leaving me with three students to help with the last item.

Motioning to them, I directed, "Move things about so that you can get to that big pinboard and take it out please."

After they left, I closed the doors and followed them out into the study area. Most of the students and staff were watching all of us as we made quite a disturbance of ourselves.

"Okay, those three tables are going to be in the way. Take them to the far end of the study area. There is enough extra space there for them. And all but one of the chairs too."

As my helpers took care of that, I studied how to make this work best.

When they completed that task, I had the students move the desk so that it faced the entry of the library and the large pinboard facing the back with the two small tables at either end.

I directed them to complete the task, "Now go ahead and practice your cleaning and polishing spells if you have them. Please point out any damage you find, do the repairs if you can."

I happily watched as the group quickly had the furniture looking like new.

With that, I counted out three coppers to each saying, "Well done, thank you."

One of the librarian helpers was nearby, so I motioned him over. "I need some supplies here. A nice small wooden box filled with pins for the pinboard, along with a few stacks of those small slips of paper you use here, and several pencils, on each of those little tables. I'll also need two blank poster boards and a coin jar. That should do it, for now, and I'll give you a few coppers for your trouble."

Noticing a few students still gathered around, I spotted one that has not yet helped me and offered another copper. "Miss, please ask the desk for my bag and bring it to me."

Sitting down at the desk, I examined it to make sure it was empty of past items.

With the return of my bag, I traded it for another copper.

A group standing by due to my disturbance, so I shooed them along, "Go ahead and return to your studies, and things will be ready here shortly."

Now what exactly to put on the posters?

Title: Student Aid Board.

Description: Post your offers to assist, or requests for assistance, here for help with solving problems and finding answers.

Reminder: You need more than the answer, you need to know why the answer is correct, or not. Your understanding is subject to testing, not rote answers.

Fee/Cost: Best to help one another if you're willing, but some copper here and there can help both parties at times. Temporarily place requested fees in the 'Student Aid Board - Donations and Fees' jar. Payments issued when the payee marks the request satisfied and signs it to avoid disputes.

Rules: 1) Logging of all requests with the on-duty instructor or front desk librarian is required: Request date, student name, class, and instructor name if for a class, or your research topic. 2) All requests and offerings must be dated. Those without a date or older than seven days will be subject to removal. The on-duty instructor, or front desk librarian, must approve requests lasting more than seven days (Fee: One copper per week). 3) Not required, but tips are suggested to the instructor or librarian assisting you.

I left the rest of the poster blank for now and hung it in the center of the pinboard.

Cutting out a piece from the other poster board, I created a dual-sided 'Visit the Library's Main Desk Please' sign, folded it in half. Finally, I added one more sign to the top of the desk where students would see it, 'An Instructor's Duty: Help others find and understand the answers, not provide them.' Again, this sign was a dual-sided and folded in half. Placing the duty explanation at the corner of the desk, I tossed the 'Visit the Library's Main Desk Please' sign into the center desk drawer. Making one more sign simply labeled 'Student Aid Board - Donations and Fees,' I attached it to the coin jar.

Taking another moment to go to the pinboard, I placed a request of my own. 'Ongoing request by Instructor Hartson. Three coppers for each new (to me) reference to runes or rituals found in the library.'

With that, I dropped several copper coins into the jar and sat down at the desk. Pulling out a spare blank book, I titled it 'Student Aid Board Log' with a tiny bit of magic. Opening it up, I added my ongoing request with all the needed information.

Setting the book aside, I returned to resume my research.

Several students and librarians came to look at the pinboard when it was complete, but none dare to try to post anything yet. I'm sure it would happen eventually, though. I did overhear a few students talking about my request, and some of the junior librarians happily talking about coppers they might earn.

Just before I left in the late afternoon, one young girl brought me a book shyly.

"Is this for my rune and ritual request?"

She nodded and opened the book to a chapter on runes before handing it to me. I had already gone over this one. I could see this book coming back to me a dozen times already.

Taking a slip of paper out, I made a note, 'Student Aid Board: Rune and Ritual Information Reviewed. – Instructor Hartson.' Adding the date to it as well, I put the slip into the book and handed it back with three coppers saying "Thank you, I've read this one already, please return it to its place and enjoy the coppers."

She nodded and went back to the bookcases looking for another one, I'm sure.

After a while and a few questions about the Student Aid Board, it was time for me to go. I set out the sign to go to the main desk. Collecting the donation jar, logbook, and my things, I headed back to the Emporium.

Stopping at the front desk, I set the donation jar and logbook down. "I'm sorry I forgot to ask about this earlier, but is the Student Aid Board acceptable as is?"

The two librarians that were on duty both smiled. "Sure, now they won't ask us so many questions, and we might earn a coin or two. Everyone so far is in favor of it."

“Good, feel free to keep your tips, but put the rest of the coins in the jar and use it for payouts please.” Handing over several silvers, I suggested that after work, they should all get a drink on me. To which they seemed happy and promised to do.