“I’ve only done it once.”

“I gotta keep warm somehow, even if it’s only for a minute.”

“I actually do it more if it’s windy or if it’s raining.”

Facebook quotes 132 people doing it.

What are these people doing?

Walking through the library when it is cold outside.

Katherine Cimarolli, sophomore family consumer sciences major, created a Facebook group for those who do.

Listed under organizations, academic organizations, the group description reads, “Well the EIU library is very very nice and awesome … but I only go through it when it’s cold outside or when it’s raining outside or when it snows.”

She said she did not create the group to offend anyone and was initially worried the group may have even caused trouble for its members.

The “I Walk Through” group is not the first Facebook group to feature the building.

Mary J. Booth Library is also the subject of the group “I live at booth library” and has its own Facebook page called “Booth Library.”

Allan Lanham, dean of the library, said the library thinks the influx of visitors is a good thing whether it is because of the weather or any other reason.

“It doesn’t bother us a bit,” he said. “As they traverse the two blocks of the building, we hope they find something of interest here that will make them stop or make them come back.”

Stacey Knight-Davis, assistant professor of Booth library general operations, said several of Booth’s staff had already been on Facebook when she decided to use Facebook for the library in a more marketing way this year.

“We’ve been watching Facebook as a way to reach students who might not typically take advantage of our services and resources,” she said.

Knight-Davis said she has time scheduled into her job for experimenting with new technology and finding ways to help the library.

She said she had been to conferences where she saw several presentations about using Facebook and other technology at libraries.

“The undergrad library at University of Illinois has been using Facebook for a few years now,” she said. “It’s where students are, so it’s a great place to meet them.”

Knight-Davis said the library has not publicized its Facebook endeavors yet and progress has been slow going because they have to wait for people on Facebook to stumble upon the Booth page. However, she is excited about the way the page has developed.

The Booth page itself contains updates on library news, events, information session schedules and photos of the Booth staff.

The library page also offers an application that allows students to search the library catalog and general article indexes like Article First. In addition, students can use the ASK?AWAY application to receive 24-hour reference support through chat. Both of these applications can be added to an individual’s profile, as well.

Knight-Davis said before November, Facebook had rules about businesses and other entities having their own profile pages, and some libraries like the Undergrad Library at U of I began working with Facebook through personal accounts. However, Facebook has initiated a new service which allows businesses, bands, churches, libraries and more to obtain a page to use for marketing.

Knight-Davis said she and other reference librarians often check on the page during the day to make sure the applications are still working and to moderate content.

Booth’s personal page is accessible through the “I Walk Through” group by clicking on the picture of Booth posted in a comment by Knight-Davis.