I use the term “librarian” extremely loosely, considering I have no qualifications other than being the pretty face that gets to recommend and check out books to patrons.
I’ve been working at the front desk of my local library for … four and a half months now? Has it really been that long? Wow. Most days, I still have no idea what I’m doing. I just sort of throw things at people and look clueless and hope to be just charming enough that they’ll forgive my incompetence. So far, I’m nailing it.
Y’all seemed to enjoy the post I did about my best/worst questions patrons asked after being at the library for a month. But now it’s been four months and, pfft, I don’t wait them to ask anymore. Now I just throw knowledge at them and hope it sticks.
So here are some things I hope my patrons know, and if they don’t, they should. Because they’re important.
I love seeing your face. But I will forget your name.
Often. Repeatedly. Sometimes three minutes after you’ve just given it to me. IT’S NOT YOU, I SWEAR. Probably, something grabbed my attention in those few minutes, and my brain short-circuited, trying to keep everything straight. I’m not working with much processing power, okay?
We have some fabulous cheats at the library that allow us to seem like we remember everyone’s names, but don’t let that fool you! It’s all smoke in mirrors. Rest assured, though, I remember you and all those things we talked about last week, like the book you just read and loved or your daughter who’s having a hard time lately or how you’re looking forward to summer. Just … not your name.
Pffft, what’s in a name, anyway?! A rose by any other name … erm … well, I have almost no sense of smell, so I sort of have to take your word on the smell thing? But I trust you, whatever-your-name-is.
It’s okay to be loud in a library.
I mean, I’m not advocating running through the shelves screaming … though goodness knows I’ve read some books that give me that urge. You must resist. Save it for when you’re outside, so the whole world can hear you, as it should be.
What I mean is: you don’t have to hush your child. It’s fine. We get it. At the front desk, first of all, we’re used to it. Half the time, we don’t even notice, because we have kids coming in and out all the time. Second … no one, absolutely NO ONE, hates the sound of your child laughing and having fun. That’s just … not a thing? And if it is, point me at a dude. I’ve got plenty of books and a wicked arm and lots of practice throwing them at people.
I’ll let you in on a little secret: libraries are meant to enjoyed. We have quiet rooms and rooms for work for a reason. So let your little one have a blast. Build that love for the library in them that’ll see them returning year after year so we can watch them grow. Make it a place they love to be, because we love to see them.
I will talk about the things you love all day long.
Fair warning: if you happen to love math, my eyes are going to glaze over and it’s going to seem like I’m patient zero of an imminent zombie apocalypse, but … I swear I’m listening. I’m also just dying a little on the inside, but it’s okay. You’re all good. Keep doing you.
There’s nothing I love more than hearing patrons get excited about something. Yes, recommend me aaaaall the books, even if it’s not a genre I read. Tell me the things you loved about it. When you return a movie, tell me how good it was and how hot the Rock is (I’ll nod and pretend I didn’t realize, but pfft, girl, we’ve all got eyes).
I’m passionate about things you’re passionate about. Even if I’m not. Passion is contagious. Almost like a plague, but with only a 23.63% fatality rate. I … may have made that statistic up. But I’m sure it’s something like that.
We’re winging it 94.29% of the time.
See that number? I was winging that, too. I’m clearly a professional.
We want to help you and solve your problem. Really, we do. But sometimes it’s a miracle we were even able to get out of bed and get dressed successfully, let alone navigate the complicated mechanisms of a library and/or computer/phone.
Sometimes, it’s about learning how to do something together. That’s the important thing here. We’ll do our best to help you, and often, that means making things up as we go. It’s like an adventure! Let’s go adventuring together. I call dibs on the dragon if we find one. But you can keep the gold. I prefer silver.
You asking for and loving our recommendations keeps us alive.
Whether it’s movies or books, ask us what we’d recommend! Take our recommendation! If you love it, tell us. Some people eat food. Some drink blood. Librarians live off the happiness of their patrons. I’m sure there’s probably some psychological lesson to be had here or plenty of things to be said, but we’re going to pretend this is totally normal human functioning.
We have fun here.
One might even argue too much fun, and I would argue back … what does that even mean? Like there’s a quantifiable limit on how much fun you can have before it becomes too much. Pffft.
The library is often filled with the sound of laughter. Probably because everyone who works there are technically adults, but you can’t prove that. I mean, doesn’t everyone like laughing? Isn’t a library more inviting when the people at the front desk are in a good mood and enjoying themselves?
And I’ll let you in on a little secret … you can totally join us. Come talk about ridiculous things or tell us a funny story or just be silly with us. First, laughter is good for a person’s soul. Or I’ve been told, anyway. But second … the more the merrier.
Stop apologizing for things.
Wait … I don’t think that’s quite what I meant? Stop apologizing for the little things that you have no business for apologizing for.
Don’t apologize for:
✿ Wasting our time. (You’re not.)
✿ Your child being a child. (Ours are, too. They grow out of it, I promise.)
✿ Asking silly questions. (They’re not silly. And if they are, we don’t mind.)
✿ Asking for help. (Every hero needs a sidekick, right?)
✿ Telling us about your life. (Let’s be friends. LET US LOVE YOU.)
✿ Talking about something you’re passionate about. (See section above.)
Things patrons do that make me smile:
- Bring candy and goodies for us. (We are 100% bribable, FYI.)
- Share the things they love with us.
- Bring their children in.
- Let us spoil their children with attention.
- Tell stories about their life and adventures.
- Have inside jokes with us.
- Compliment the library and/or staff.
- Geek out with me about movies and/or books.
Chat With Me
Librarians, what are some things you wish your patrons knew? Readers, what do you want to hear from your librarians?
I love this, Sammie! And you are definitely a full fledged librarian in my book. Who needs a library degree anyway?😉 I just had no idea that libraries were loud and full of laughter. It’s been a while since I’ve visited the kid’s section, I guess😁
I’d love to get a librarian degree, but there’s just no point in it right now. xD Well, I don’t know that they all are, but mine sure is. xD We’ve got more of an open plan, so it’s a straight shot from the front desk to the kid’s section (it’s a pretty small library) with quiet areas in separate rooms. We’ve even had kids programs where the kids go out among the shelves and “hunt for ghosts” or something, and so many adults will stop and just watch them hunt because they have so much fun with it!
I always feel like the only person who would distinctly NOT eat something that a member of the public gave me, unless perhaps it were store bought and in a sealed package. I’ve had discussions with people over this where they think I’m crazy and implying everyone is out to poison me or something but…you just never know what’s in it! I mean, if I wanted to give someone (like a nurse, teacher, librarian, etc.) a food gift, it would not be homemade for that reason, even though I love to bake! :p
I also think people apologize for their kids because other people complain about kids a lot, unfortunately. I get the impression from parents that they’re always striving to at least LOOK they like they’re trying to control their kid or whatnot. Riding the train is pretty indicative of this. People seem so apologetic their kid is…talking, and I think it’s because a lot of people without kids are actually jerks about it and expect complete silence.
I think it’s really a difference in locale. I live in a small town of maybe 2,000-ish people, tops? Most of the patrons bringing in food have been patrons for decades. They were there almost since the library opened in the ’70s. They’ve known the families of quite a few people working there for generations. So it’s definitely a culture thing.
I think that’s why it’s different with the kids, too. Now, kids screaming or having tantrums is a different matter, and we’ll try to gauge the reactions of other patrons to see if it becomes a problem. But kids just laughing loudly or getting excited about something? We haven’t had a complaint in the time I’ve been there on that one. Most people coming in either have children themselves or younger siblings or nieces and nephews and they get it.
Also, we don’t have a train here. xD Or any form of public transportation. Not even taxis. We so tiny. LOL.
Everything in this post just makes me want to move somewhere with a library so I can become a glorified librarian?! Like… Can I do that please? Lol like no seriously. I would love to be a librarian! The only public library I’ve been to that wasn’t dead silent was the one I was part of in Norwich, UK and it was brilliant! Loved that people were talking and there were events happening in and around the library but that you could still find peace/quiet in between the stacks 🙂 Love this post, Sammie! <3
Sure. Move here. There’s plenty of room. I’ll even smuggle you into the library and hide you under the desk when the bosses are looking. xD
It’s such a cultural thing. In NY, my huge, giant library at the town near mine, quiet was the rule. But in the library I went to growing up with my grandfather, the one that had me falling in love with libraries? The librarians encouraged pretty much everything that would cause a kid to fall in love with a library, and they were fine with it. Which is weird, because they were all older and you get that stereotype of the old, strict librarian, right? So not the case.
Sammie, this is a beautiful post. I’ve grown to love visiting your blog in such a short time. So entertaining. I adore my local libraries and yes, I’m lucky to have access to three, and Overdrive for 2 different states, AND Hoopla. So seriously, I should never have to buy a book again right? Forget I said that and my husband will tell you that I don’t let that stop me.
I used to work with a woman who told me that 98.6% of statistics are made up on the spot now every time I see one, I think of that (she then admitted she made up the number).
Aww, thank you. <3 I love your blog, too (then again, who doesn't love seeing cute doggos? I feel like that's bribery in the best way).
I've got Overdrive in two different states, too. xD It's a blessing. Yet, somehow, there are still books that neither Overdrive has LOL.
That’s such a nice post. <3 I wish my library was like that but noooo, the city had to ruin everything.
I used to work at a bookstore for a few years though and so many things you just listed applied to me too. I had a customer who would just come in every other week, ask me for recommendations and then took all the books without even looking at the back and it. GAVE. ME. LIFE! She would also tell me what she liked and didn't like when she came in the next time. Those are seriously the best people. I hope you get loads of them. 🙂
That’s disappointing. I know there are a group of people who have fought really hard for our local library, and I’m so thankful for it.
Those are the best sort of people! I happened to be at a book store yesterday and was listening to one of the workers give recommendations to this mother looking for books for her daughter, and just hearing how excited this worker was just absolutely gave me life. <3
This is another fabulous post, Sammie. I wish I could visit you library – if I’m ever stateside…
Thank you! If you ever are, you can come visit. I’ll give you the grand tour. 😉
I think kids will be kids in the kids section. I do try and restrain mine to behave not like a complete baffoon but you know how toddlers are. I DO VERY MUCH HATE parents that let their kids grab all the books, drop them on the floor and NOT PUT THEM BACK. These days Merijn gasps and starts picking them up haha. I think I taught him well. I always make him put back the books he switched around too because hello, you have better things to do than pick up after all the patrons.
Annemieke recently posted…Best of the Bunch // February 2020
Toddlers being toddlers is the greatest thing about toddlerhood, in my opinion. But oh my gosh, yes. That drives me bonkers. We have a few families who are notorious for picking up books, deciding they don’t want them, and just shoving them somewhere on a shelf (never in the right spot). We’ve got a special shelf to put stuff you no longer want so it can be reshelved, so the least they can do is use it. xD
Awww that’s way too cute that he’s insulted by that haha. I so appreciate parents like you. I don’t mind putting stuff back after kids, but at least put them in the designated area for it.
Ahh I love this post!!
Thank you! I had so much fun writing it, and I miss all my patrons now. T_T I hope they know that, too lol.
100% AGREE! We are so winging it, especially now.
Oh my gosh, for sure! We were definitely not prepared for everything to go virtual lol. Winging It is basically our official motto now.