Why I Love (And Dislike) Working At My School Library
Why I Love It:
I have a fairly easy job: I clock in every day, I re-sensitize checked in books and sort them on the carts in the back room, I check out/renew books, I straighten chairs, I help my "manager" put up and tear down our displays, and I teach freshmen how to use the copy machines. The rest of the time I'm basically reading a book, drawing, or talking with the lady I work with at the desk, Mrs. Johnson.
I gotta say, the NICEST people in the world seem to work at libraries. I often find myself chatting with Mrs. Johnson or the other librarian I interact with the most, Mrs. Barnett. All three of us like animals (cats in particular) and have a genuine appreciation for the arts, so we talk about varied subjects. I've also gotten a lot of really good book recommendations.
The best part: dear God, the conversations I take part in/overhear. During seventh period, unless classes are scheduled to meet, the library is COMPLETELY VACANT except for a few errant kids; we get a lot of down time to do the above mentioned chatting. Some conversations are fun. We ended up talking about pets we've owned at one point. Then one day, I swear, I had a conversation with Mrs. Johnson that, in about twenty minutes, had gone from the Presidential Debate and Obama/McCain in general to gay heroes in sci-fi/fantasy novels. Today was particularly fun. The Usual Suspects (me, Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Barnett) were talking about the upcoming library events for Halloween and talk turned to costumes and such.
Mrs. B: Oh, Mrs. Johnson has the best costumes!
Me: Oh, like RenFaire stuff? (*Mrs. Johnson is very into RenFaire and the like)
Mrs. B: Well in general! I hope this year we can bring back the leather stuff.
Mrs. J: Oh yeah!
Me: *VERY confused* Uhh...
Mrs. B: Let's hope Halloween goes well this year! Librarians in Leather would be fun to do! *she leaves, I wave goodbye, but am still confused*
(awkward silence)
Me: "Librarians in Leather..." sounds like a risque novel O_o
Mrs. J: Yeah a bit XD
Why I Dislike It:
"Hate" is a bit of a strong word. I haven't been here long enough to "hate" anything, but here's some of the things that tick me off a bit.
...IS IT REALLY THAT HARD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE THE COPIER? I mean, complicated jobs I understand (like one guy today needed to make double-sided copies of a recommendation form), but basic copying from a book? PUSH THE GREEN BUTTON.
Lulz. Seems some underclassmen sometimes forget that because I have the free period to work in the library I have seniority over them, so they act like idiots. And I choose to be here, for the little pay that I receive (which will immediately be spent at ACen), but dealing with them is NOT part of my job description. When I'm reading (The Subtle Knife...very riveting), I tend to look up a lot, just to make sure nobody's approaching the front desk and I don't seem like an ignorant Librarian Assistant. So a whole group of probably sophomores--three dudes, one lady-- were leaving the library, stampin' their passes and stuff (as an aside that time stamp is freaking LOUD), when two of the guys very suddenly start holdin' hands. In my mind I'm going "AWWW if they're being sincere that's so adorable!!! X3" but I don't want to just suddenly start squealing so I just kinda glance casually, at the same time checking for other people leaving in case they have books to check out. Suddenly one of the other kids says something along the lines of "quit acting so GAY." My Civil Rights Ear immediately heard the off-color comment and I whipped my head in the direction of said comment. Then the dumbasses shouted (despite that we were in a LIBRARY), "Don't judge us!" as they walked out. And I could tell they didn't really mean it.
I felt a little bad for staring, but I had a good laugh later. If only that one straight guy in the bunch knew I've probably crushed on/dated much more attractive and appealing girls than he'll ever meet...I almost wanted to tell them to come back in on the Day of Silence to see how supportive they REALLY are.
According to Mrs. J, the end of the grading period marks a lot of turn-ins. Which means a lot of re-organizing for me, especially fiction. This might qualify as something I'm neutral to, because the Obsessive-Compulsive Me likes re-organizing books. XD I'm so weird...
I've noticed a pattern already...Why is it WHENEVER THE LIBRARIANS HAVE A MEETING, EVERYBODY COMES IN WITH PROBLEMS I EITHER CAN'T FIX OR AM NOT ALLOWED TO FIX? Either that or their problems are boring. XD
"Hi, I have a late fee to pay." "Er, I'm not allowed to handle money. BRB."
"Can I check in my book?" "Uh...put it in the drop box?" *not allowed to physically check books back in*
"Hi, can you tell me where to find (blah blah blah)" "O_o...uhhh...BRB."
"Will you sign my pass?" "Dude, I'm a year younger than you, and there's a time stamp over there."