OK, so, honestly: sometimes I feel like I could be replaced with an automaton who, when you pressed a button on her forehead, lifted up a sign reading "the Internet computers are down the stairs and to your left."
But almost every time I go to work, I get at least one experience that gently reminds me how lucky I am to be a librarian. Like the time I helped a very elegant, elderly woman make some photocopies and she was so kindly and graciously grateful all my life's troubles melted away for a few hours. Or the woman whose husband had recently died who only wanted to talk to someone about anything, and our conversation about The Poisonwood Bible seemed to de-lonely her.
Or like a few nights ago, when I helped a woman do some genealogy research using our newspaper database, and she found an obituary she'd been looking for for years. She was so happy she danced, quite literally, her own happy dance. Right there next to the biography shelves.
Sometimes it's when I magically know the title of the book someone's looking for. Or when someone comes back in to tell me that the book I recommended to them has become their new favorite. Every once in awhile, someone will even say "you're so lucky to work here."
And I just have to agree.
It doesn't hurt that our library is gorgeous. I mean, granted: there's lots of dusty shelves. But our children's section has this fantastic stained glass window, and a puppet stage that's extraordinary. There's a glass-walled bridge, connecting the two wings, overlooking a grassy, tree-filled garden, and when you walk across it, you feel like you are walking through the trees. In the spring, when the flowering pear trees blossom, it's simply amazing. There are balconies to look over, winding staircases, comfy chairs in hidden niches. It's a great library.
And even though tonight ended on a frustrating note ("I want you to tell me what to read." "OK, what do you like to read?" "I don't know." "Fiction or non?" "I don't know." Ummmmmm...maybe just close your eyes and pick one then?), I'm feeling very blessed at where my choices have taken me, career-wise.
I love my job.
I love that window. Doug worked there for a while, and gave it up to go do tech support for Word Perfect, which he hated. Alas.
Posted by: Helena | Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 10:47 AM
That is awesome that you love your job. It's kind of a pain to work sometimes, but I love my job, too. It makes me happy to be able to do something I'm good at and that interests me.
Posted by: becky | Friday, July 31, 2009 at 09:15 AM
I knew you were perfect for that job. I'm glad you love it so much!
Posted by: wendy | Friday, July 31, 2009 at 12:26 PM
What a lovely perfect job. And that library is gorgeous.
Posted by: Janssen | Friday, July 31, 2009 at 06:51 PM
Oh... I hope I am not that "I want you to tell me what to read person". I do bug you for books cause #1 I know you have such great taste in them and #2 you have read like a bazillion more books then I have. I love that you work at the library and love your job. I think I would love that job too... minus the part about the people just coming in to use the free internet.
P.S. I think that library is pretty and unique as well. I love the stained glass window!
Posted by: Candace | Saturday, August 01, 2009 at 10:52 PM
It's always a good feeling when you love to go to work and enjoy helping people. It's a nice feeling when you know you are helping someone and it boost your spirits too. Glad you love your job
Posted by: Julie Lopp | Sunday, August 02, 2009 at 11:52 AM