I love me some Friday
Days like Wednesday make me think I should get a new job. Or just leave the world of work entirely.
I don't know if it's the rainy weather, the bad economy, or what, but we were swamped all day long. Children ran and screamed everywhere. The H-B possibly made another appearance, based on the description the PTSDed shelver gave me of the destruction. A toddler slipped out the doors by himself in the melee and they shut behind him (not ON him, mercifully) and he started toddling toward the street before someone saw him and alerted me. Homeless men wandered in and out. People asked me impossible questions like, "I'm looking for that movie that was set during World War II." A woman turned up with a Sheltie and tried to say she was training her to be a service dog. Which, sure, if "training" consists of letting a dog jump up on you repeatedly while you implore her to sit. (On the plus side, am now well versed in the state code regarding service & companion dogs. Quiz me.) I finally escaped and drove home only to find that my shoulders were hiked up around my ears. I had to go set cases of food storage on them to get them to go down again. Then I went to the temple, which was v. soothing.
But then days like yesterday remind me how much I actually enjoy being a librarian. All day long I was the happiness fairy, making everyone's wildest library dreams come true. I found the books and DVDs that appeared to be missing, I signed people up for library cards, I blew adults, teens, and children alike away with the glory that is the summer reading program. I weeded out a few overpacked shelves, winning the love of the beleagured shelvers. I taught teens how to use the online catalog to reserve their books and I introduced a brother and sister to the world of graphic novels. A woman walk up to the desk with her children and said, "Hi, we were hoping you would be here today!"
And then I got to go eat raclette and discuss nursing pads with my dinner group. How could you NOT love a day like that?
But then days like yesterday remind me how much I actually enjoy being a librarian. All day long I was the happiness fairy, making everyone's wildest library dreams come true. I found the books and DVDs that appeared to be missing, I signed people up for library cards, I blew adults, teens, and children alike away with the glory that is the summer reading program. I weeded out a few overpacked shelves, winning the love of the beleagured shelvers. I taught teens how to use the online catalog to reserve their books and I introduced a brother and sister to the world of graphic novels. A woman walk up to the desk with her children and said, "Hi, we were hoping you would be here today!"
And then I got to go eat raclette and discuss nursing pads with my dinner group. How could you NOT love a day like that?
(image from Wikipedia's Raclette page)
I'm Steph, a librarian and mom of 3 (not sure how that happened). Let's chat books, food, Sumptuous Literary Adaptations, poop, knitting and maybe some crazy Mormon Feminism.
22 comments:
Hey, make my day: What's a good beginning crochet book? I know how to do one "stitch" and that's it. I want to do more.
oooh, this is a good question. I will investigate. Any crocheters out there who want to take a stab at it?
I found this nice-looking "So You Want to Learn to Crochet" list in Amazon. I really liked the Stitch & B**** book for knitting so I imagine the crochet version would be good as well--it has 172 reviews and 4 out of 5 stars.
I was going to suggest The Happy Hooker, which I was tempted to buy on my mission when I was getting into crocheting (I decided maybe I should focus on missionary work instead). It was rated very highly.
Oh wait, that's what Nem said. Oh well, I second the recommendation.
VW: "misses", sweet! I real word!
Ooooh!!! An American who knows about raclette!
There was a restaurant in Germany (Die Kartoffel in Ladenburg, if anyone is heading that way) that we frequented that served it. Who doesn't love melted cheese? It's like sophisticated mozzarella sticks...
I'm going to remain anonymous so as to prevent people from getting in trouble, but one time, many years ago, we had a raclette party when I worked at that one university in Provo where if they found out, they would have been soooo mad at us for having an open flame INDOORS. But it was delicious.
Also, does this mean there is an adult summer reading program at the library? Because I was proactive and hunted through the website, but couldn't find any information on it.
Anon, I think it depends on the library. If you live in Salt Lake County, though, the county library system is doing an adult program called "Master the Art of Reading."
I just got a school librarian job this week for the coming school year and I am so looking forward to being the happiness fairy. The good news is that schools tend to have a slightly lower rate of homeless folks wandering in.
You ought to introduce your library to the small-town concept of being closed on Fridays. You could almost skip some of that end-of-the-week stress. Not so attractive to patrons, but very nice for you library fairies. Ours is open M,T,W,Th and Sat. You just get used to knowing when you have to get your dvd for the weekend.
I actually know what raclette is, AND have even done it before (because I know a girl who served in France and goes back like once a year). After the cheese was gone we started throwing on chocolate and such. And then we started throwing random things on top.....and dipping them in said chocolate. I think that made the experience so much more enjoyable.
Confession: I first learned about raclette a year or so ago when my sister Spitfire attended a Raclette/Bad Sweater dinner party. As soon as I heard there was gooey cheese involved I was on board.
And Janssen! Congratulations!!!!
Yummm...raclette is divine! I had it at a friends house while I was in Switzerland but haven't had it since.
Ooh. Raclette. I've only had it once, for a roommate's birthday who'd served her mission in France. Yummy.
And I guess we switched good library days. My Thursday was much more productive and satisfying than my Friday.
Yesterday - lots of shelving completed and music put together for a meeting in less than 40 minutes. And even though I was just facilitating the meeting, they shared their snacks.
Today - I had some teacher drop of her music with the other department while I was gone to lunch without leaving any indication who she was. Since I have all checkout records organized by school, that part is kind of important. I finally found it, but her school starts with R.
You know, any day I can discuss nursing pads is a good day in my book.
OK, just one question. Someone alerted you that a toddler was roaming in traffic? Like, rather than save the toddler, the ALERTED YOU? That is crazy. I'm glad you had a better day today.
Any day that has "nursing pads" anywhere in it cannot be the perfect day. Sorry. One day you'll understand this. I mean, maybe, if you want to have kids, and if you decide to nurse.
Was that PC? Or not so much?
A friend introduced me to your blog a few months ago. I love it! I don't know if you read McSweeney's (if you don't, you should quickly repent and start), but I ran across a story I think you'll find entertaining. (It makes more sense if you start at the bottom and read up): http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/librarian/12twitter.html
Enjoy!
Mmmm, raclette. That's some fabulous, stinky cheese. And who knew that pickles and stinky cheese went together? Amazing.
I so love days that make you remember why you have a certain career, job, etc. Your dinner club sounds excellent too!
How have I never heard of raclette? My cheese education has been remiss.
http://notalwaysright.com/an-offering-to-the-literary-gods/2093
Saw this post and thought of you. Hope your days are better. :)
In case you haven't seen this:
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/librarian/12twitter.html
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