Life Behind the Circulation Desk

“Mitzy, you must get your shoes down from the encyclopedias!”

It wasn’t something I thought I’d ever be saying when I took on the job of manager at the Branch Library in my small town a few years ago. I have an assistant that works Saturdays, giving me 3-day weekends, and this year we've been able add a part-time worker with Experience Works. Another blessing, since it's a branch of the county library in the nearby bigger town, the technical stuff gets done there.

On particularly stressful days, I’ve even been known to answer the phone in this fashion: “Seadrift Branch Library, Baby-Sitting, and Message-taking. How may I help you?” With a smile in my voice, of course.

These aberrations from yours truly, you understand, occur in the summer months, when school is not in session. Most days, from opening to closing time, the library is thronged with children using the library and staying cool, and my full attention is required to schedule time on the computers (an hour if others are waiting) and maintain a semblance of order, hopefully preventing out-and-out riot. In all fairness, I’ve only had to call the City Police once this summer.

Materials have to be checked out when presented, of course, regardless of mayhem. Other ordinary, on-going librarian duties have to get done when a snatch of time presents itself. It’s not wise to take my eyes off the children for any extended period.

These duties include reshelving returned materials and keeping the shelves in order, preparing book orders, making reminder calls about overdue books and fines, weeding out little-used and worn items to make room for new, processing donated books and movies, preparing periodical lists for processing, filling out time sheets and community service reports, repairing book, DVD and CD covers that were returned ripped and torn or merely run down at the heels. There are faxes to send, copies to be made for patrons, new patron cards to prepare, and research for requested information. Last but not least, picking up toys, books and games thrown about, and replacing chairs and tables where they belong. And, there is getting those shoes off the encyclopedias.

Now, I’m not complaining. Well, maybe just a little. Mostly I love the job: no commute to another town, a comfortable place to work, surrounded by and dealing with books, one of my very favorite things. The county library director comes over once a week with our new materials, and she is an absolute delight for a boss, giving me full support and guidance to do the best job I can.

It would make everything go a lot better if every now and then, a parent would give me a word of appreciation for looking after their children six and seven hours a day. The little devils are waiting at the door for me when I arrive to open up, and I have to scoot them out the door when it's time to close. Sometimes they've been dropped off by a family member with a car, but mostly they walk and ride their bikes over. Population of the town is around 1,800. Some days it seems like children using the library comprise half of that number.

It’s great our tiny town has a facility where the children can play inside out of the weather. Let’s face it, there are not many options in town. We don't have a movie theater, or a mall. We DO have, however, a brand new playground and skateboard park, and we have a bayfront park with new playground equipment, an open-air pavilion, and a couple of nets for various games. Being water-front on a bay, there's a lot of fishing going on, from children right on up to old folks. I get a kick out of hearing all the fishing stories. Yes, from the children right on up to my contemporaries!

Great support from the community is enjoyed by the library. A contingent from the local elementary school had a "Community Heroes" promotion, and came around to City Hall, Fire Department, City Judge, County Commissioner, and the Library, with a poster declaring us heroes for our community involvement.

Once we move the library into the larger building that is currently under renovation, we hope to be able to do so much more than we can now. Plans include a separate TV room, a game area, a little stage for presentations, separate computer areas for adults and children. With more space we can have reading hours and activities year-round. The aforementioned budget cut is worrisome. I'm afraid there will not be the additional full-time staff person that was promised.

Of course, as with any facility dealing with the public, it's the troublesome few that make it difficult for everyone. The way big majority of the children at the library are an absolute joy. Primarily they are just noisy! I've not found any way to impress upon them that a library is supposed to be quiet. Just when I think I can't take it any more and it's time to retire again, one of the wee darlings will pipe up: "Oh CJ! You are the best librarian! Thanks for letting us finish our game before you close."

Ah, well, I'm such a sucker for a sweet little smiling face and sparkling eyes.