Well I think it's no secret that I currently work at a library. In fact, the same library Nick used to work at, though things aren't as bad as he painted them to be - that is due to the fact that we've changed directors since then, and the one we have now is a lot nicer and more laid-back than the one before.
However, when I have to explain what I do - well, I usually don't have to do much explaining, except if I talk about the reference desk. I think I've talked about it here before, but in case I haven't, that's the desk where anybody can come up with whatever strange question they have in their mind, and I have to find the answer or help them find the answer to it. But this post isn't just me explaining stuff like that.
Nick had written that because of his job, people automatically assumed he liked numbers. Working at a library, they assume several things about you:
1. You like to read - totally true. I don't think there's anyone working at the library that doesn't love to read. Our janitor is illiterate, but that's another story.
2. You're incredibly boring and stuffy and spend all day shushing people - couldn't be farther from the truth - for most of the people who work at my library at least. I mean, that probably applies to some of them, but that's an old stereotype. Besides, I work at a public library - if we actually tried to keep the place quiet and shushed everyone, it would be a never ending battle. We can't even get people to turn off their cell phones (or at least on vibrate), and there are signs up everywhere - even at eye level on the front door. *Since starting this post a couple of days ago, I've found this article talking about the same thing on nytimes.com*
3. You have to be smart to work at a library - common misconception. Yes, you have to take a test to get one of our positions, but trust me, somehow some people slip through. There are times I think some of the people I work with have no short-term memory, like in Memento, because there are times where it seems like certain people have completely forgotten how to do a job they've been doing for months (or perhaps years). The other part of this is that people think you know everything because you spend all day reading books. I wish I had the time to read books at work, and yes, you do pick up a lot of knowledge from having to find stuff for other people. However, we just look smart because we know where to find the info. (Not that I'm not smart - though one may beg to differ after looking at this picture).
I suppose the one thing I get to do that most other people who work at libraries don't - paint and draw. Whenever they need a background done for a children's program, I get out of doing my regular work to do paint or construct whatever they need. It rocks! Currently I've been working on stuff for out Harry Potter party we're having on the 21st to celebrate the release of the 7th book.! Yes, we will probably be told that we're going to burn in hell for aiding Satan in warping children's minds, but I don't care- it's going to be a blast. (Fun side note: one of my coworkers has actually taken the day off because she doesn't want to be here for our party).
So though I shelve books, help patrons, and answer inane questions, I am NOT a typical librarian. Actually, I'm not a librarian at all - you have to have a masters degree -, but they do a lot of the same things I do, they just get a couple more dollars an hour for it.
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6 comments:
I worked at the public library one summer when I was in high school, but I was only a page (haha! that's still funny to me. a page? In the library?! hahaha!).
I really liked it, but my mom's a school librarian so I sort of grew up shelving books each summer. Something about the swift organization of it all, keeping everything tidy and in place. Most people who have seen my house (or life in general) would probably underestimate how much I like that feeling.
I can totally see why you would like that job!
My mom worked at that same library for several months a few years ago. In order to get the job as a shelver, she had to take a physical fitness test. It involved pushing a cart the approximate size and weight of a cart of unshelved books, and lifting an object the approximate size and weight of a heavy book over her head while making shelving motions with her arm.
Odd how this blog is not only LC-centric but CCPL-centric!
Yeah, you should probably get a different job. Just saying.
I just realized that my previous comment was probably unclear to people who don't know me. I've never lived in Lake City, Florida, but I grew up in Lakeland, Florida, which is different (sort of). Florida has a lot of lakes, I guess. Anyway, I worked at the Lakeland Public Library so I never experienced the glorious people who apparently worked in the Lake City library.
I did a job pretty similar to Steph's at the University library at FSU for a couple of semesters and I HATED it. The librarians I worked with were completely uptight and all the patrons were borderline retarded. I guess that just goes to show that being in college does not necessarily mean you have a brain (esp. if you happen to attend a public uni in Fla!).
Also, your co-worker is right to protest Harry Potter via civil disobedience. Witchcraft is evil and sinful, despite being you know, not real and everything. Still tho, make believe--definitely dangerous.
Finally, as to Jen's comment. I've spent my entire life reminding people that Lake City and Lakeland are not the same place and it's maddening. I have friends who I've known for years who still think I come from Lakeland, despite countless corrections. Stupid state with all its stupid lakes...
Seriously - Lake City, Lake Wales, Lakeland, Land O'Lakes, Lake Mary, Lake County - I feel like I'm in freaking Forrest Gump - Lake Worth, Lake Alfred, Lake Placid, Lake Park, Lake Buena Vista, Lady Lake (and yes, these are all towns - not just the name of lakes). Ridiculous
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