Thought for the day.
Being a librarian is being several people at once - knowledgable professional, sympathetic acquaintance, detective, friend. Among other things. It is demanding in a way that few other public service positions are. As a coworker said: "I've always thought librarianship was like teaching or working with the clergy. That kind of public servant."
She's right. It's a labor of love, a calling rather than a career choice.
No matter how frustrating things get, two truths remain: The collection and the patrons. We are the Sibyls who interpret the mysteries of the OPAC, ILL, LCAR or Dewey, cutter numbers, and other acronyms and jargon so that the wisdom of years (no matter how many or few) can make its way into the hands of those thirsty enough to drink of that well.
So I get up, get dressed, drive an hour one way...and work. For less than I am worth, but I work anyway with little complaint of the pay. My heart is full and my soul satisfied because I have my desire - I am among the books and conducting the mystic, sacred dance of learning.
...of course, I am overglorifying things. Most people check out movies or (to me) vapid novels by the puppy-mill authors like Nora Roberts, James Patterson, and Danielle Steele, but one can still get an oar in and suggest the book the film was based on or other films that would be equally enjoyable. I can do nothing with people who support slave-labor writing. They are a lost cause and I pray for their benighted souls.