I Love Basketball

Patron of the Day

I love basketball. I love playing it, watching it, and apparently talking about it at work. One boy was asking me if we had any books on basketball.

I asked him, “Do you want to read a story with basketball in it? Or do you want to read about a certain team, or how to play the sport?”

He answered, “Team. Well, do you guys have any books about the Lakers?”

I asked while searching the catalog, “Who’s your favorite player from the Lakers? Wait. Let me guess… Kobe.”

He smiled really big, “Yeah, he’s good.”

I joked, “Man, everybody likes Kobe.”

He asked after a quiet minute, “Who do you like?”

I told him, “I’m a big Lebron fan… Kobe’s aight.”

He chuckled, “Well, I’m sad we’re missing them play in the Olympics right now.”

I agreed, “I know! Let’s hurry and get you these books then.”

As I was walking him to the stacks, he added, “Well, actually I think the best player of all time is Michael Jordan.”

I smiled, “Now THAT’S someone we can both agree on.”

Some Potty Humor...

Patron of the Day

I was watching a lady inch her way to the reference desk. She was smiling and seemed like such a sweet lady. I was clearing off some books when she finally reached the desk, “Excuse me miss. Where are your movies on travel? I’m supposed to go over to the *pffffffffffft*….” OMG. This lady just totally farted mid-sentence while looking deeply into my eyes! I couldn’t look away, laugh, or do anything. What surprised me the most was how long it lasted. It sounded like it was going to be a messy one, too. I had to just stand there and pretend to not hear any noises. I was frozen and had missed everything else she said after! I felt so bad but I had to ask, “Uh… what place are you going to again?” I walked her over to the DVD section, making sure I was a little bit ahead of her.

Patron-of-the-Day

I had this cute little boy come up to me, and he was pointing at the book on display and speaking baby talk, gibberish I thought.

I asked him, " Do you want to read that book?"

I started to walk over with the book, and he started slowly walking towards me while he reached out his tiny hand, and took it.

Then he said, "Thank you."

I learned that the boy could talk, just needed something and didn’t know how to ask for it.

I overheard him tell his mom, "That nice lady over there gave me this book!"

His mom said, "She did?"

Then the boy said, "She was nice to give me this book."

And the mom said, "Yes, she was nice."

Kids Say The Best Things

I really enjoy working at the children reference desks. At the children’s desk, I get to help out so many smart kids, and sometimes I’m amazed by how much they remember the little things. Kids are very visual. There was this one young girl with her even younger sister, and they both came up to me after perusing the paperbacks.

The jumpy older sister asked, “Aren’t you the librarian at another library?”

She was right! I do sometimes work at different libraries. I smiled, and really couldn’t remember these two girls.

I told her, “Yes! I also work at the two-story* library.”

Then the girl was thinking hard, “No. I saw you at the big cabin-looking* library. You got me Princess Fairies.”

Wow. That was amazing because she remembered me from a specific library where I haven’t worked at in awhile, and getting her specific books. Princess Fairies are apart of the popular Rainbow Magic series for young girls in 1^st and 2^nd grade and up. She was very observant for someone so young.

Her younger sister confirmed it, “Uh huh. The big library.”

Well, they are both big, but I knew what she meant.

So what I learned about the two girls was how amazing kids can remember, from what you looked like, to what you said to them, and what you did to help them. My first impressions with kids are important because those interactions will stick with them, and so I have to make sure it is always a positive one. Lately, a few patrons have been starting to recognize me at the two-story* building, and while I don’t remember their names all the time, I won’t forget our conversations.

*names changed!

World Domination Library Video

Here's a library outreach video I liked.. maybe because I am in it? It was a lot of work to make but it turned out pretty good. Remember to go to your local librarian for all your world domination needs. (:

Dr. Rotten's World Domination

There Is Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself

Sometimes I feel like Little Red Riding Hood. I want to go down a certain path, but I feel all these obstacles that get in my way. At times I feel fear, but the fear is what I have built up in my own head. Mostly I am afraid of making a mistake. Which path should I go down, because the right path looks great, but what if this other path is better? What will happen if I make the wrong choice? Man, I question everything.

But what I have been learning is that mistakes are not bad. It is through mistakes that we become who we really are as a person. It shapes us into the person we are today. Therefore, I cannot be fearful of making mistakes. Time to put on the red hood, and face the unknown.

Crying Kids Are My Weakness

I feel so bad for kids who are left alone in the library looking for their parent. The other day there was a little girl crying whom I immediately walked over to. I used my gentlest voice, “Sweetie, I can help you.” I was trying to say it in a way that would allow her to feel comfortable enough so I could help her because she was obviously lost. This worked. Her eyes were so red, and she was so little that I couldn’t believe a parent could just leave her behind. She brought a toddler book that she was hugging over to my desk. We looked over some stickers in a box together as I called her mother’s name over the PA system and waited… And waited. 

Her mother came over to us from the same floor. The mother told me, “I was right over there.” She sounded mad. Hmph… if I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was even upset. I stood up and used my stern voice which I really don’t like to but when duty calls, “Well, your child was over here and was looking for you, so you need to be by your child.” Stone cold librarian face.

Why must parents leave their tiny children alone in the library? I know babysitting was not particularly in the job description, but it does make me concerned how some of these parents treat their kids. Some parents would rather ignore their own kids, drop them off at the library for hours, or have their kids walk to the library until someone picks them up, and I suppose parents think it is up to the librarians to look after the child’s wellbeing. I will not babysit your child! The public library is a very public place which means all types of people come together under one roof. Some parents (and I know this is probably not you reading this) need to take more responsibility for their children. Otherwise, I have no problem reminding those certain neglectful parents know that they are the parent, not me. 

From the time I started work, till 9pm closing, I felt like I had just gained more librarian experience than before. Maybe even some parenting experience as well.