Jan 12 2009
But despite all that, I really do like my job
Lately, I have written a few posts where I have expressed my displeasure with the patrons I’ve been helping.
Okay, okay, so I’ve spent all of my time whining and complaining vociferously about the insane patrons coming through the front door. I’ll admit that I’ve been less than joyous to read lately. But I don’t want people to think that I hate my job, because truly, I really do love it.
So here’s my list of the huge positives that come with working at the library (and they really are huge, because if they didn’t balance out all of the negatives, the library would be Hell on Earth to work at, and I’d have quit a long time ago. Don’t let all of my venting fool you - 90% of the time, I love being at work. Okay, 85%. But no less than that, pinky swear.)
The Top Six Reasons I Love Working at the Library
…Yes, that’s an odd strange number, but that’s all I could come up with. Work with me here, peoples!
* Discussing books with patrons while checking out their items to them. One of my signature moves is mentioning Nicholas Sparks’ autobiography when checking his regular fiction books out to patrons. The vast majority of Sparks fans have no idea that he’s written an autobiography, so I tell them that if they ever do read it, they’ll understand why all of Sparks’ books are depressing. Believe me, if you had lived Sparks’ life, you’d write depressing books too.
* Helping the same patrons every day, who come in to use the internet or check out books. The “regulars” become like friends to me, and I enjoy chatting with them and hearing the latest updates on their lives.
* All of the cute kids who come up to the counter with their parents. Oh, have we got some darling children at our library! I love talking with them and seeing their faces light up with smiles. I am totally not biased, I promise - it just so happens that some of the cutest kids in America use my library. What can I say?
* The best coworkers in the world. They are what keeps me sane. When I run into a patron who I’d just love to strangle, I can go into the back and let off steam. I get along great with everyone at the circulation desk and reference desk (plus the pages, who just plain rock,) and can easily say that they are the reason I’ve thrived as I have at the library.
* Speaking of people who rock, there is of course my immediate supervisor, Martha, who is a fantastic boss - one of the best I’ve ever had. Whenever she’s not there, the day just doesn’t seem to go as smoothly.
* BOOKS!! How could I ever leave this one off the list? I am the biggest fan of books that you’ll ever meet. Although I review just nonfiction on here, I also read quite a bit of fiction too (I read The Little House on the Prairie series a couple of months ago, and am now working my through the Anne of Green Gables series) and I just can’t fathom living a life without books. A life without books is not worth living. I know that sounds oh so dramatic and over the top, but to me, that really is true.
I hope that makes up for all the whining and complaining I’ve done on here lately. 
For any would-be librarians out there who are debating whether or not to actually follow this career path, just know that some days my job rocks, and some days my job sucks. I think you’ll find that at most jobs, though. The trick is to find a job that rocks more than it sucks.
Hava
Who thinks she may have come up with a new slogan for a bumper sticker…
Great post, Hava! Sometimes we have to force ourselves to remember the good things about our jobs, but then we usually come up with so many that we forget about the rest of it.
Whoa, the cutest kids come through your library! Wow, I didn’t know you library was in my area.
If work was nothing but fun, they wouldn’t have to pay you. But, if it’s nothing but pain, you’re doing the wrong thing. Sounds like you’re where you need to be.
Jennifer >> Too true! I thought of something else really great about my job just last night while laying in bed to go to sleep, and I told myself I’d add it to this list in the morning. Well, now I can’t remember what it was, LOL! Oh well. The six I did list were cool enough.
Deanna >> It can be, for the right person. Although being an elementary ed teacher is an even better fit for me, working at the library is definitely pretty awesome.
Stephanie >> Perhaps the kids travel from one library to the other!
And you’re right about the whole payment thing. Some days I have so much fun at work, I’d do it without being paid. Other days, I don’t feel like I’m getting paid nearly enough. 
Ruthie >> If I ever went to work at a Barnes & Noble, I would be in huge trouble. I would start having to pay B&N to go to work, because I’d be spending more on books than I would be bringing in each paycheck. My husband has already stated that he forbids me to go to work at B&N and although I normally don’t like to be forbidden anything, in this case, he’s right.
LOL!
Hava
LOL!! You’re right - six IS an even number.
Thank you, Adrian.
That’s a good idea about the meme, except I feel like I’d be cheating.
Speaking of, I should probably get started on that…
Hava
PS I fixed the subtitle to my list of positives so that it reads “strange” not “odd.”
Hava