post #13

A three-year-old girl has been asking her parents deep questions.  Right now, the question is about death.  And how do you explain that concept to a babe? There are some books on that topic, but for that young, we couldn’t think of illustrated aides – perhaps finding a book of “Grandma died,” but how do you explain the concept of “her body’s here, but she is…. no more?”

While my co-worker took care of that, I had the joy of researching the size of the average Caucasian woman during the Civil War. I can tell you this much, that without proper registry with healthcare, women’s stats weren’t as prevalent until the early 1900’s.

I also had a woman who needed me to help her find templates for letters of disciplinary action (HR goodness).  I could really tell she wanted to spill out what this said employee did to the business.  And I didn’t realize how difficult it was to find tailored reprimanding letters.

post #12

last night i had the beautiful surprise of working in Periodicals. Alone.
The thought alone initially made me think of how God-privileged I was to do that, mostly because the other two Reference librarians I was with that night, regardless of their MANY years of library experience, have never been trained to work Periodicals. In fact, rarely any of the PT Reference staff have been trained there. Here I was, the 5-month-old baby, trained in Circulation a month ago, and in basic Periodical policies less than a week ago (at least during that time, there were 2 other Periodical staff). Mind you, I’m not speaking out of arrogance – you’ll have to understand me as a person to understand the tone I say that all in. That also being said, at least my initial response was not stark refusal (a past life assumes the fear position).

My adventures were frequent, learning how to operate things as I attempt to hold a facade of confidence, trying to mimic the actions I’ve observed of the real staff workers. It would be unnerving for the patrons to know that the only Periodicals staff at hand had no idea what she was doing.

But now I know. Because of last night’s experience, I had my foot in the door to be trained a lot more in depth during today’s shift.

Let me say, though, that among the interesting situations, I had two guys hit on me, one a teenager who showed no decency in scaling me with his eyes, the other a subtle mid-aged man who poured out his life stresses, concluding with “What are you doing this weekend? Any big plans?” “Celebrating Easter, Sir,” I replied. I also had to search for two obituaries. Having two in one night, I wonder if that’s a frequent task…

I felt bad at closing when a man would not get off the computer, and I later found out that he was deaf and mute. I wish I knew how to sign.

Today a teen girl told our Young Adult Librarian, “Man, all the small libraries are like – cold corn straight out of the can. But THIS library – this library’s like a gourmet dinner!”

I said she ought to be a poet.

I also had a woman call me for the recipe for thousand island dressing.

In Periodicals, they handle all the new materials – it’s like Christmas, and it’s tempting to flip through the fresh pages and put that book, DVD, or CD on your holds list. On the other hand, I had the beautiful task (which is not new to me) of withdrawing books off the US Travel shelf. One by one, scanning and changing their status to “unavailable.” It’s like a circulation of life and death.

Plus resurrection because there’s a gargantuan book sale of these withdrawn books last week of April.

Happy Easter.

God wrote the Best Book of all.

post #11

Sometimes I feel like I go above and beyond for patrons.

After searching a medical topic thoroughly (and unsuccessful at that), but still keeping a light-hearted tone and being innocent to his sarcastic jokes, a young man now has a nickname for me.  “Goober.”

A young woman also had difficulties with her paper and three times changed her topic.  That means, do articles, pull books off shelf, print articles, lather, rinse, repeat x3.  poor Pages.  having to reshelve my unloved finds.  when she got to the library to pick up the FINAL materials, she ended up changing her topic.  Again.

And I had a rollover project, also searching for articles for a college student.  I sent her seven articles, pulled off two commentaries, and gave an online site.  Seriously, college kids need to avail of this library resource called Reference desk.  It definitely helps get a few resources at hand.  That is, as long as you have two weeks to prepare for the paper.

Lastly, at the close of the library, a woman calls to ask about Grants because she was one of the Hurricane Katrina victims.  I was sorry to be initially upset for a patron calling so late.

post #10

false.  date this was written: march 16.

having been trained in two other departments, i feel well-rounded.

fattening the pig before the kill, i suppose.

the patrons will never cease to amaze me, i hope to never lose my sense of awe at the next question. being tax season and presidential election year, there is a never-ending hum of governmental jargon – like the air conditioner you hadn’t realized it was on until you turn it off, and the room sounds flat and lifeless. before understanding the “stimulus repayment” rebate thing (obviously, i haven’t caught the animal long enough to get its name), i would have patrons equally vague asking “do you have that form that Bush was talking about giving you $300?” “why yes,” i feel like replying. “This tax form here says ‘i am Bush. have some money.’” mind you, i say this all in sarcastic stride, because i can only laugh at my own situation – not enough money to even file my taxes. there’s some truth for you.

today i worked on a project using the mircrofilm (!) machines to read 1930’s newspapers in Springfield, trying to find an article about a supposed relative who supposedly tried out for the Olympics and supposedly got 2nd place in track and field. I could only suppose for luck. I suppose. Unsuccessful, because of the various emphases on winners, I could not help but wonder about every 2nd placer, whether they deserve a news story, or would rather hide in caves for what they almost achieved.

that aside, i had a question this week from the same “child labor in Africa” lady (see post #6). questions about how to make the earth greener and prevent pollution. she loved the idea about riding bikes and carpooling.

i feel like this post is really lame but i haven’t written in a while.

there was also a mother and daughter i recognized from a church i used to go to, they live in low-class conditions, and while waiting for me to find a book for the daughter, the daughter pulls out a gift she bought for her mom in the bookstore. “It’s a pendant,” she says, “to show you how much you mean to me, mom.” And she read off the pendant oblivious to me (I rather loved this company), and directly to her mother, in words that sounded like, “You have made so much sacrifices for me, and words cannot express how much you mean to me. I love you so much, Mom.” And they rested in an embrace of affection as her mother replied with returning words of adoration.