Linda the Librarian

My husband has a new job.  After several months of joblessness, we are very thankful for his job.  With his new job came a new schedule.  I've been struggling a bit to find time to read and blog.  It's worth the struggle, because the struggle means that God chose to provide this particular job for my Beloved.  It may take some time, but I'll figure out my new routine soon and be back to blogging regularly.  Thank you for your patience.

The other day a patron was having trouble locating a book.  After I found it for him this is the conversation that followed: Patron:  You found it!  I looked all over for it! Me:  It was hiding.  Don't worry you haven't lost your mind.  It may have wandered off, but it's not gone. Patron:  Can I get that in writing? Me:  For your wife? Patron:  Yes!!

We're going to have an evening filled with popcorn and Pooh Bear!  I'm pretty excited.  What do you have planned for this evening?

This morning my husband stumbled out of bed as I was getting ready to start my exercise routine.  He gave me a bleary eyed look and said, "I feel like you.  I stayed up too late last night because I wanted to finish the book I was reading in one sitting."  Why thank you!  I take that as a great compliment!

July 11 was National Blueberry Muffin Day.  I found that out a little late in the game otherwise I would have made some muffins to share with my family and coworkers.  I posted on Facebook about my need to go in search of the perfect muffin and a little while later I received a message from a friend and patron letting me know they would be by the library in the afternoon to drop off my muffin.  We could not have more lovely patrons!  This morning I enjoyed a belated celebration with a cup of tea and a newly discovered favorite magazine.  Life. Is. Good.

I thought that it might be a good idea to share with you some (possibly) universal, yet unacknowledged truths about librarians.  Increased understanding of our merry, but quiet band will certainly make your next trip to the library more enjoyable. - Yes, our TBR piles are completely out of control.  We spend time reading library publications and book catalogs to order material for the library, we share what we're reading with each other, and patrons share what they are reading with us as well.  Our literary eyes are bigger than our stomach, if you will, and we just keep adding to that pile of books.  As long as we can see over that pile, we feel like it's not that bad really. - Cardigans are an official part of our uniform.  There's even a class in the Master's of Library and Information Sciences program to guide the fledgling librarian in choosing the right style and color cardigan.  OK, that's not true, but it probably should be. - We really do...

One of the realities of working at a library is that we need to remove old books to make way for new books.  Some times we're simply replacing an older, well-read, well-loved copy with a new copy that a new generation of readers will grow to appreciate and love.  Some times a book simply isn't circulating any longer and it just needs to be removed.  I understand all of this - in my head.  Often I can totally understand the reason why a book is no longer being read.  Much popular fiction is written in the moment rather than with a sense of timelessness, there's no enduring message or lesson.  It quickly becomes dated and uninteresting. Other times my heart just can't agree.  I love the author Dick King-Smith.  If you've seen the movie Babe, I recommend that you go to your local library and find his books.  His books are funny, touching, and delightful.  Everything a children's book should be.  I loved reading his books to my c...

World Chocolate Day just happened to coincide with my Saturday to work at the library.  Librarians absolutely support celebrating the day, so we picked up some chocolate glazed doughnuts and hot chocolate (for me) and coffee (for my co-workers).  How did you or how will you celebrate such a wonderful day?  Did you or will you make any chocolate desserts? Until next time...