What's in YOUR Wallet? Sometimes I Don't Want to Know.

Occasionally, at the library, I get a peek into a person's soul.

And by "soul," I mean purse. Or wallet. Or keychain.

People's personal items suddenly become something intriguing for me to examine during the ol' "search for the library card."

(I will refrain from harping on why there needs to be a long, desperate search for a library card every single time. Just tell me...why do you need 37 different cards?)

I have been treated to seeing women's entire purses being dumped onto the counter. I've watched $50 bills fall out of senior citizens' wallets (old people! you're freaking me out! please don't carry all that cash around!). And, of course, I've hefted 7-pound keychains over to scan the one bent-up library card hanging off it.

Note: When a person gets a library card through our system, he or she gets a full-size card plus a mini keychain card.

It's always interesting to see the kinds of things people have hanging off their keychains. A bunch of store cards, the local gym card, the Wendys frosty card, flashlights, pocketknives, lanyards, beaded animals, even a tick remover (yes. I know.).

My keychain has changed a lot over the years. I like to have a toy or two on there; I've swapped out ones that have fallen apart and like to switch it up with new things once in a while.

So here's what's on there now:

- gym card (all access!)
- 4 store cards (One of which I actually regularly use. My favorite.)
- key fob from some kind of honor society I was apparently inducted into from my college (received it last year...but I graduated in 2010...whatever.)
- 1/2 a rock (it has a crystal inside and is split to reveal it! I got it for free and it's pretty....)
- house key, car key, library key (all the essentials!)
- iSchool @ Pitt lanyard (never used a lanyard before this and it's changed my life. so much swinging and playing potential!)
- mini green tupperware container (my favorite! I like to snap it open and closed! I "won" it at a Tupperware party years ago.)

So that's my keychain! Or keychains, since it's made up of a few. They're kind of spontaneously interconnected. It might sound like a lot, but it's really quite manageable. I've seen some keychains at the library that would, if swung, probably knock out a gorilla. Unsurprisingly, the larger key collections belong to female patrons.

What's your favorite item on your keychain?

Source

May I Not Be Able to Help You?

I wish I could write more on here! But I've been so busy with school. And work.

Oh, forget it. I'm just going to tell you what I told my diary when I was ten. "I'm not going to keep apologizing for not writing more!"

Of course then, I was busy with my full-time job of playing with Barbies.
...

So it was pretty crazy at the library over the weekend. On Friday morning the server went down for our entire county library system.

No catalog, no renewals, no holds, no checking in material..... This happens on occasion. We're limited for a couple hours. But not this time. All weekend we were down. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. On Monday at 8:30 pm everything came back up.

All day Tuesday we played catch-up, going through hundreds and hundreds of books and movies and CDs.

But let's go back to Saturday. I work one Saturday a month, and of course it's the day when I can basically do nothing for people. And this is tough. I mean, I work at a library! To have to turn so many requests down put me in a bitter mood. Luckily, we had an offline option so we could check out material using a patron's library card. That was the one thing we could do! And people could still study, read newspapers, use computers, etc.

So most of the time I had to spend apologizing to people. And asking "may I help you?" ironically. It was a sad, sad, day. The one highlight was being able to help people without using computers and feeling like Super Librarian. I surprised myself at how well I know authors and dewey decimal numbers, and was able to lead people right to where they needed to go.

On the whole, though, not my favorite weekend. We are crippled without our computer system.

And of course people didn't read all the signs we had posted, and still asked us to do things we couldn't do. And everyone wanted to know if they'd get fines for material we couldn't check in yet (no) or if they could renew their items (no) or if we could check on a hold for them (no) or if we were having a hard time (YES).

Thankfully, all is back to normal. And last night, after a full day of madness plus three and a half hours of homework plus an hour of Pottermore (really? new chapters are open NOW? well, I have to read everything obviously), I dreamed all night about not getting enough sleep.

And now let's do it all again!

Just Lemme Scan It Real Quick for a Sec

At the desk at the library the other day...

A mom: "All right, give her your card!"
A little daughter, eyeing me suspiciously: "Why do you want it?"

Cutest thing ever, probably.

It's funny, though, I'm surprised at how many kids get weirded out at the library circulation counter. Kids cry all the time, clutching Caillou or Fancy Nancy and forcing their parents to pry it out of their tiny fingers so I can check the book out.

"I'll give it right back; I just need to scan it!"

"DORAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

I'm not sure where this comes from. Do they think the books belong to them? Are they afraid I'm going to light them on fire or eat them or something? Hand it over, kid!

Sometimes it's adorable. Other times it's annoying.

*Through gritted teeth* "I'll give it right BACK, sweetie."

Kids today and their sense of entitlement. Phew.



While looking for a picture to use for this post, I found this one and HAD to use it because it was from one of the All-of-a-Kind Family books by Sydney Taylor. Those were some of my favorites!

How to Check Out a Book at the Library

Sure, you've done it before. But have you done it correctly?

Step 1: Pick out your book. Pick out a mystery, a graphic novel, a memoir, a book of poetry. Browse the stacks until you find just the perfect read. Ask your friendly librarian for suggestions if you find yourself whining that everything you pick out is boring.

Step 2: Pick out another book. What if the first book isn't quite what you thought it would be? Or you read the first book too quickly? Honestly, it's just foolishness to leave the library with a single book. Be smart and get a back-up.

Step 3: Go to the circulation desk. Be mindful of those around you. Don't cut anyone else off. And it's nice to offer your spot to a harried mother with seven children hanging off her. Other than that, wait in line for your turn. Or, if your library is dying because no one wants to read anymore, step right up and enjoy the great service of three librarians all wanting to socialize and thank you for still coming. Haha...

Step 4: Present your library card. Don't be surprised that you are asked for it. If you're a patron of excellence, you have your card in your hand right away. Don't be the person who doesn't have your card...or your driver's license...wait, you're driving without a license AND without a library card? Good luck out there, man.

Step 5: Don't forget your receipt! It's given to you for a reason. Don't lose it and then feign innocence when you return items late (I mean "if"). And don't take your receipt, look at it, and then ask when your items are due. What do you think I'm handing you exactly?

Step 6: Walk out the door with your FREE books! And don't forget to come back now, you hear?

I mean, you'll have to. To return them.

You Know You're a Librarian If...

• You ever feel the need to create a book display themed around whatever's currently going on in your life.
• You sometimes just want to *shush* people.
• You like to open a book and smell it.
• You hate eBooks on principle. But you pretend to like them and, in fact, promote them.
• You find yourself strangely drawn to pictures of cats.
• You think the world's problems would be solved if everyone would just get a library card already.
• You get excited when someone desperately needs your help because you love a good challenge.
• You follow movie and book news like some people follow sports.
• You have too many things to read already. But you keep adding to your pile because you don't want to hurt any of the books' feelings.
• You have to keep defending your profession to people who don't think it's real or think it's not going to last.
• You give people free things.
• You know how to be resourceful with what you have.
• You wear a lot of hats. You are a storyteller. A negotiator. A researcher, a teacher, a technician.
• Your idea of a fun evening is going home and putting on pajama pants and making tea.

Perhaps to be continued one day...

All Free Today!

I will never cease to be amazed at how many people still think they have to pay to use the library.

True, you do have to pay for some things in our library. Copies and printouts. And I know that other libraries have had to charge for people to rent movies if they're not doing well financially.

But in general? The whole point of libraries is that they're free. Free books. Free movies. Free CDs. Computer use. Talking books. Reference assistance. Research websites. That's the beauty of it all!

And yet, people still get surprised when they find out they don't have to pay for their ticket in - the library card.

A woman came in yesterday to get cards for her and her kids. After she had filled out the paperwork, she asked incredulously, "We don't have to pay anything?" Nope.

The other day, a boy came up to the desk to buy a candy bar (Oh, that's something else that costs something. Because it's a fundraiser). After he used his dollar, he suddenly looked down at the movies he had in his other hand and quickly asked, "How much are movies?" He got scared that he had used his dollar on a candy bar and now couldn't get movies! Don't worry, kid. For you? They're free.

So spread the word! Bookstores might be closing, prices might be climbing, but the library is still free. And how awesome is that?

Stick 'Em Up

There's something about stickers.

What is it? Why are they so appealing?

Is it the billions of shapes, colors, characters, even smells and textures?

Is it the little somethin' special they add to paper they stick on?

Is it the big amount of joy they bring compared to the small cost?

Well, I don't know. All I know is, people love stickers.

I used to collect stickers. I still have a lot of them. And by "collect," I mean people just gave me a lot of stickers and I put them in a big envelope. And I didn't use any of my "favorite" ones. I just looked at them once in a while and congratulated myself on having such awesome stickers.

At the library circulation desk, we have big, round stickers that proclaim, "I got my library card today!" They are, in a word, spectacular.

(If you can get past the fact that they look like the stickers a kid would get in a dentist's or doctor's office. That creeps me out a little bit. Guess what? Stickers are NOT cool enough to make up for shots.)

Kids are besides themselves when I give them a library card sticker after they get their library card. Wear it with pride, kid! I've even had adults ask me for one. Adults who've had their library cards for years. Um..okay? I tell you what, the people need their stickers.



The blue sticker is actually the EXACT one we have at the library!

And What Do We Have Here?

I'm a pretty nosy person. Especially when people are emptying out the contents of their purse/wallet/pockets right in front of me. It's like a scene in a movie when someone's going to jail and has to turn everything over. Except in my case, the goal is to find the library card.

"I just switched purses."

"I haven't used my library card in a while."

"Sorry this is taking so long..."

That's okay. As long as there isn't a huge line piled up behind you, I am content looking at all the random cards you'll pull out, one after another, in the search for your library card.

I've gotten pretty good at spotting the right card, too. "Oh, there it is!" I jump in, when I see a flash of blue or gray peeking out. Now maybe next time, you'll keep such an important card in FRONT of the old bowling coupon.

A lot of people have their cards on their keychains. This is fun too, because people have some really interesting items hanging on their keychains. The other day, I asked what one tool was and it turns out it was a tick remover. Huh. Who knew?

Then, when I get certain cards, they look like they've been through war and torment to get into my hands. They're scratched, bent, broken...I'll be lucky to be able to scan it. If it's really old, that kind of damage is understandable. Otherwise...what have you been doing with this thing?

It's always an adventure at the library.

Hand it Over

Asking for and then receiving someone's library card shouldn't be complicated. Unfortunately, it is.

Here I have helpfully divided library patrons into the 5 library card categories.

1. The Ever-Ready Freddies: If the library card isn't already sitting on top of their piles of books, it's halfway out of their wallets. This is the library, for goodness sakes. Who wouldn't have their card out? It's like having your Bibles out at church or your crayons out at preschool.

2. The Blank-Eyed Bunch: What? A library card? What's that? Do I have one? Where is it? Why would I need a library card in a library? Confused rambling accompanied by frantic searching and child frisking. "Well, Mommy doesn't have it, Tyler, so cough it up!"

3. Switcheroo: These patrons try to give me their debit card, their student ID card, their gym membership card...everything but the one I need. Smart remarks usually follow this exchange. "I guess THAT won't do you any good! Heh, heh."

4. Fear of Commitment: They have their library cards. I can see them clutched in their hands. But for whatever reason, they will not relinquish them until I ask. Maybe they think that eventually I won't ask.

5. The Tossers: This category is 95% children. Not yet able to see over the counter, their only option is to heave up the card with a grunt, followed by Dora the Explorer or Thomas the Tank Engine. I have reserved the 5%, though, for the occasional patron who thinks it's fun to flip the card in the air or slide it on the counter.

It's just a library card. But in some hands, it's anything from a unidentified object to a dangerous weapon. Whatever. Just hand it over.

Crazy Day in the Life

I had a crazy day at the library yesterday.

We were busy all day and I never really had time to stop and catch my breath. Days like this are good once in a while, but I think I'd go nuts if I worked somewhere that was hectic all the time. The other librarians joke about the library not being an emergency room and no one's going to die... meaning that we shouldn't have to feel pressure. If I worked in an emergency room, I would probably

not. I would not work in an emergency room.

The craziest I want my day to get is to have a kid crying because he has to leave the train table, two library cards I'm trying to register at once, the phone ringing, an overflowing bookdrop, and a patron wondering where the bathroom is.

Seriously? the bathroom? Everyone has to walk right by it to get into the library, yet this is one of the most commonly asked questions. Whatever; at least it's one I can answer. Those are the best kind of questions.

When I get home from work, whether it's a crazy day like yesterday or a normal day, I take an unofficial vow of silence. Being an introvert, I have used up my quota of words for the day. I have smiled until my cheeks hurt, answered the phone until  I sound like a robot, and talked until my own voice sounds odd to my ears. When I get home, all I want to do is sit down, stare into space, and keep my mouth closed.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking. We librarians have quite the wild night life. Well, I can't speak for the entire demographic, but as for me? Give me a cup of tea and my socks with little snowflakes on them.

Things Part 1

Things I enjoy telling library patrons:

1. Library cards are free.

2. Borrowing books/movies/CDs, etc. is free.

3. We have it; it’s right there on the shelf.

4. I love that book! Good choice!

5. Nope – no fine! You returned it just in time.

6. There's no limit to how many items you can check out.

7. Oh, I know which book you're talking about! Here's the title/author/# in the series, etc.

8. You know, we have a program here I think you'll like.

9. Yes, someone did find your wallet/keys/paper left in the copier!

10. The book you've been waiting for is here!

And a Little Child Shall Lead Them, Shrieking, to the Doors

What do kids love most about the public library?

Is it the books? The movies? The stuffed animals? Perhaps the train table featuring preschool idol Thomas the Tank Engine?

No. No, all these exciting options children have at their fingertips while at the library are NOT their most favoritest things.

That award goes to....the handicapped buttons next to the two sets of front doors.

While a frazzled mom tosses the sticky library card up on the counter to me, juggling an infant, tote bag, purse, and recently-made craft, her little pride and joy is racing towards the exit. The most dramatic moments are when sibling competition plays a role.

“I WANNA PRESS THE DOOR!”

“All right, Drew, you press this one and-“

“BUT DREW GOT TO PRESS THE DOOR LAST TIME!”

“Well you can open the next set of doors, Julia now WAIT FOR MOMMY BEFORE YOU GO INTO THE PARKING LOT, DREW!”

It’s rare that I see an actual handicapped person use the button.  But when it comes to kids, it’s the beginning and end of awesomeness at the library. It's the library version of candy at the grocery store checkout. The whole time you’re in the store you know it’s there and it’s coming and maybe if you race toward it and shriek you’ll get it all to yourself!

On a slow day, I enjoy watching the doors for this kind of action. It rates slightly above watching people push instead of pull the doors, or vice versa. The best is when a rude patron leaves and then becomes totally confused by the complicated system that is only deciphered by reading the PULL sign. Maybe they’re the ones that need the handicapped button.