Misadventures of the Monster Librarian

Some days being a part-time Reference Librarian is a little like Seinfeld--a show about nothing...Most days it is at this library because since I am part-time I don't get to teach any of the computer classes (that is reserved for thee full-timers), and don't get to do any programing because our library just doesn't really do adult programing--programs are occasionally done by outside groups like the Friends of the Library--is that weird, or is it just me? Anyway, tonight was slow, but just thought I would share some fun stats: Recommended/searched for/ordered 23 books for patrons Aided patrons 9 times with computer or printers Had a lovely conversation with an eldery woman about downloading ebooks to her iPad. She was super cool! And very nice! Hooray! Assisted a college student in a hunt for 8 journal articles Talked to a middle schooler about books she loved (mostly listened) and helped her find a saucy looking vampire book which she couldn't wait to sink her t...

...NO, not books, just suggestions. Today in the Kitchen we began talking about our backgrounds and education, which of course lead to people learning that I am also a librarian, which of course leads to the age old questions: "What's your favorite book? "Who's your favorite author?" "What are you reading right now?" "Can you recommend any books for me to read?" So, I told them: Too many to chose one, but some are: To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee;  Travels with Charley, John Steinbeck; Gone with the Wind , Margaret Mitchell; Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen; Angela's Ashes , Frank McCourt; Roots , Alex Haley Too many to chose one, but some are: Jane Austen, John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain Right now, well, you can see those on my side bar. YES! I gave them  my list . And also what I always mention when books come up is how I am constantly stealing ideas for what to read from my patrons. For example, tonight ...

Some tips on Library etiquette that apply most everywhere else too, just replace Reference Desk with wherever you work, i.e., the counter at Burger King or Hooters, or your desk in a crowded office, in a high rise somewhere. Do not eat a deli sandwich, or other food items that contain strong onions and then decide to sit close to the Reference Desk and pour out the story of your paper's life. Do not smoke multiple cigarettes and then decide to sit close to the Reference Desk and pour out the story of your paper's life. Do not ask someone questions and then cut the person off before they can answer them. Do not leave your phone in a purse, set next to the Reference desk, leaving it, only to have it go off-with the ringer on the loudest setting-set to music that sounds Cyndi Lauper worthy. (I wish I could have seen what I know was a confused and frantic look on my face as I tried to figure out how the Smurfs had set out a lyrical warning-swear to God it was the most fruity ring ...