Library @ MindSay 
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Well, this story is kind of odd. I have been house sitting the past couple of days and will be for the next couple of weeks. The people I am sitting for are librarians. He is in tech services for the library. He set me up with the password to his wireless so I can be online at his house. All was well for a day until the internet went out.
Yeesh.
Normally not that big of a deal but I am making a birthday gift for a friend whose 60th party is on Saturday and I need the internet to get the gift done and I am running out of time. One of the things I needed to do before using the internet was scan some photos into my computer. I headed home yesterday to use the scanner there (didn't work...long story) and while being frustrated by technology, I happened to hear an advertisement for Inside the Actors Studio. I LOVE that show! I hardly ever get to see it because it is on Monday nights and I always work Monday nights. Anyhoo, yesterday's episode was featuring....drumroll please....BON JOVI! I super duper heart Bon Jovi and am, in fact, going to see him in concert in April. (I just got tickets last week!) Okay, so Bon Jovi is going to be on that show with the kickass James Lipton and they hardly ever (if ever?) have musicians on there. I was psyched--until I realized that I wouldn't be able to see it. The people I am house sitting for have TiVo but no cable, so SOL for me. Flash forward to Tuesday.
Since I didn't work until 6pm tonight I figured I'd use today to work on the present. Alas, no internet. So I tried to figure out a solution and what I came up with was this:
I would go home and use the free internet there. 'Cept, home is more than 20 minutes away. I figured that'd be pretty out of the way and I could find something closer. Then it hit me. I was staying mere blocks from Grand Avenue (a major shopping area) and they simply MUST have a Starbucks in that area. I thought I heard that S'bucks has free wifi--so I figured this would be cool. A nice hot chocolate (did I mention I don't drink coffee and am therefore unfamiliar with the counterculture that is Starbucks?) and some work on the gift then home for lunch. Turns out there is a S'bucks only moments from their house and I bought my Hocho and settled in. GRR. Guess I had heard wrong. They do have free wifi, but only if you are a member of some stupid buying program and would I like to sign up? Hell no.
Thinking quickly, I decided to travese the three miles to Hamline (by car, I wasn't that ambitious). I got here. Logged in and found that I couldn't download what I needed bc of Hamline's firewall. F$#%!
But then, aha!, there is always the public library. I know there is one only blocks away from Hamline. So I head there, go inside and log in. Everything was ticking along nicely when it suddenly booted me out of the system. I logged back in and tried again...seemed okay then I got booted again! WTF? The guy working there was 110 if he was a day and he couldn't help. So I configured my card to work at the St. Paul Public Library system (making five systems it is now active in-awesome!) and headed back to the car.
I don't use wifi very often in public and I was out of places to go. After all this time avoiding driving 25 minutes there and back I was now left with that as my only option. And realize that I had spent 90 minutes thus far running around town getting jack shit done. Homeward bound, I was.
I got home and let myself in at 12:59pm. I set my computer on the counter and grabbed the tv remote. I figured while it was downloading I could watch some mindless tv. I flicked on the tv and switched it to Bravo (they usually have reruns of Project Runway or Top Chef on during the day) and literally, at that second, a new program was starting. It was--no kidding--the Bon Jovi edition of Inside the Actors Studio! Holy shit!
I had spent the morning thinking what a waste it all was and how annoying my day was turning out to be. But, if I had come at 11 when I first started I would have been done and gone by 1pm and missed that episode. So, my powers of aligning the universe were alive and working subliminally the whole time and this turned out to be a great day. Synchronicity at its best.
Sometimes it totally pays to be the Mistress of the Universe.
In other news, I received an email from my buddy Jan and in it she told me that the coach of the Buffalo Bills was just fired. She was being funny--as she was the only person to defend the moron featured in this story. She claimed she was only playing devil's advocate, but since she is actually FROM Buffalo (or Bflo as Buffalonians say it) I have to wonder......
Man do I hope that this kid has enough sense not to buy another billboard to thank the powers that be for firing this guy. Can you imagine the rant I'd have to go on?
Thanks for the heads up Janny-Jan-Jan. (See people, that's how you get your name in lights!)
Plus, Jan has sworn fealty to the Mistress of the Universe, so she knows it is her duty to send interesting information my way....
I have been seriously sick for the past eight days. Seriously sick. Not just "I have a cold" sick but running a fever, chills, dizziness, too weak to get out of bed kind of sick. Very little fun as it turns out. I did, while laid up in bed, visit the CDC's website relating to H1N1 out of morbid curiosity and this is what I found.
Symptoms include:
Fever* - ???
Cough - Check
Sore throat - Check
Runny or stuffy nose - Check
Body aches - Check
Headache - Check
Chills - Check
Fatigue - Check
Sometimes diarrhea or vomiting - Check (at least to the first part)
*not everyone with H1N1 gets a fever
As to the fever, I may have had one. I never checked it but I was feeling warm and combined with the chills.....who knows?
So, I am not at all hypochondriacal and I am not assuming that I had H1N1 but I guess I am not ruling it out either. I didn't go to a doctor (no health insurance and since I didn't work for a week and don't get sick pay.....you do the math) and I don't believe in self-diagnosis. There are just too many variables. But I could tell that this was more than the common cold and since I did have ALL the symptoms. Yeesh.
Well, I am back at work today. I do not have a fever and many symptoms have subsided. The stuffy head and the cough are persistent. Also the fatigue. I get worn out by going to the bathroom. But I need to get back to life and so I am trying for a "mind over matter" thing here. I'll let you know how it works out.
For those of you keeping score at home, this is now the SIXTH illness I've had since quitting smoking; which is eight months ago--today. Happy Anniversary to me!
And in other housekeeping:
My little buddy, Dylan, turns 2 years old today. Happy Birthday Dylan!
He's the little blond guy with the fauxhawk. That's his sister Jaysa and my nephew Simon also pictured.
In other news, Eastwick was canceled this week. They will be showing the original 13 and then no more Paul Gross for me. Sad.
And I just found this story online. Is that cool or what? Returning books from 51 years ago? Who would bother? And actually figuring out what the fine would be? I thought that was a cute story. Even though library systems max fines out at a certain point and just charge you the replacement cost for the book....no $745 fines. But still a very cute story.
Okay, I think that catches everything up. I'll try to keep up but my days are pretty much comprised of: sleep, take medicine, sleep, watch tv, sleep, take more medicine, sleep. Who wants to read about that?
Usually it is children doing the asking. When they are using a computer they often have to spell words they don't know and they just walk right up and ask me to spell it for them. I learned quickly that I have to write it down because they will forget before they get back to the computer.
Today I have already been asked how to spell "avenue" "airport" and "nickelodeon".
Once in a while an adult will ask for much the same reason. I am fine with it, some librarians are not so much (There's a dictionary over there if you want to look it up--yeesh). We're supposed to look up information before giving it to a customer, but I am an awesome speller and I never-ever do. (Ssh! Don't tell on me....)
I had a man ask me today if I knew how to spell dysentery. I did. I also showed him how Google will help you if you spell something wrong. That makes me 2x the help and 2x the fun!
Strangely, I find it odd that people assume that librarians can spell. I think that reading increases your likelihood of being an excellent speller, provided you have adequate retention, so it seems like it should follow; but I know plenty that can't spell worth a tinker's dam.
Lucky for them, when I am on duty there are no worries. I get a kick out of being asked to spell. My favorite questions indeed.
***Update***
Hee-hee! I posted this originally at 1:32pm. It is now 1:48 pm and I was just asked by a young man: do you know how to spell "blast"? Today is a very spelling-centric day, it would seem.
I'll keep you posted!
I've noticed since beginning to work at a university that students EXPECT that the library will provide them with these things. Printing? That's fine, because students pay for it. But how about once they've printed out those pages? They expect that we will provide the stapler and the staples. And paper clips. And pens and pencils. And tape. Now, those are all pretty basic supplies that the library has on hand anyway--and I get that the tuition from these students funds the library--so it isn't that big of a deal.
But, pretty regularly, I get asked for other supplies. I have been asked for markers, colored pencils, mechanical pencil refill lead, red pens, rulers, notecards, tagboard, construction paper, graph paper, calculators, graphing calculators, mounting tape, stencils, scissors, three hole punch, staple remover, and a whole host of other odd things.
Most of this we don't have--some of it we do. I'm happy to LEND out any supplies that can be lent but I generally don't give out non-returnable items (i.e. notecards because once you've used it, it isn't much good to me). All of this is fine. I think it is strange (I always got my own supplies before starting a new school year...when did that stop being de rigeur?) but it is just the way things are, so I deal.
Here's my problem. The number of people who come up and ask me for a pen is astronomical. First off, when you come to the library, presumably you are coming here to study or do some sort of work...so why don't you bring a pen? If you've only come to check email and don't need a pen, but then something comes up and you need to borrow one, cool. But that would be a significantly smaller number than the actuality of things. (And as a side note: when did "pen" become acceptable for writing implement? People ALWAYS ask to borrow a pen, even if a pencil will suffice....it is odd.)
Librarians here are way more willing to part with their pens than I am. Which is probably why there are never any pens at work. We have this HUGE desk with multiple drawers and yet we're always out of pens. I can go back to the supply room and grab a few for my shift, but without fail they will be gone in a day or two. People just don't return borrowed pens. It is one of Murphy's Laws or something.
Okay, so I have learned and now horde a few precious pens in my private drawer at work. I use only my pens during my shift and I DO NOT loan them out. I only have one out at a time and I use that as my excuse. "Can I borrow a pen?" "Sorry, this is my only one. But we have pencils over there you can use."
And that is usually the end of it.
Usually.
Today, it went like this:
"Can I get a pen from you?"
"Sorry, this is my only one. But there are pencils over there (pointing) that you can use."
"I hate pencils. Can I just borrow your pen?"
"No, sorry. Like I said, this is my only one."
"Well, you aren't using it this second (emphasis his, not mine), can't I just borrow it?"
"Sorry, I've been robbed too many times by pen thieves (trying to inject humor) and I need a pen to do my work. So if you don't bring it back, what will I do?" (please note that he NEVER promised to bring it back, like most do)
"Use a pencil." (super, super snotty)
"Well, I suppose I could, but then again, so could you. And I'm not the one who doesn't have a pen." (yeah, I was being snotty in return)
"You're really not going to give me your pen?"
"No, I'm really not. But like I said, plenty of pencils over there"
"That's pretty mean."
"If that's what you think, okay. But I'm guessing next time you'll bring your own pen."
And he walked away. I could hear him muttering something under his breath and I am guessing it wasn't that flattering to me. But, what the hell. If I wanted I could have written the draft of this blog out by hand. IN PEN.
Take that!
My former library was a mid-sized community library, which means smaller and more intimate. I knew many of the customers by name and they knew me. Certain customers would come in just to talk to me and get my help.
When they sent me to the big library, things didn't go well at first. I am thinking "little fish big pond" syndrome. And while I am adjusting and settling in the big library, it just doesn't have the same feel. It seems like even the customers feel dwarfed in the big library and don't take time to get to know the librarians as well.
My point?
Today, I am working at a community library that is similar in size to the one I used to work at. I have never worked here before and I am LOVING it. I am just having the nicest day at work. As a result, customers are being infected with my happiness and cheer and this epidemic is spreading. Look out H1N1!
Since I've been here today, these are just a few things I've been asked:
An elderly woman (97!!!) who loves to read romance novels is looking for more authors to read. As a lifelong reader, she has read TONS of books and is running out of authors to read. She doesn't care for books that are too, well--smutty, so there is some restriction. I was so excited to get this question. I am a romance novel addict and will discuss romance books with anyone, given the slightest provocation. I spent some time researching authors (after making suggestions from my head) that are outside of what I've read and came up with a strong list for her to try.
A young boy, third grade, just recently figured out that reading can be fun. But not being a big reader, he didn't know where to start and just diving in can be a bit overwhelming. He and I had a great reader's advisory interview where I got to learn more about him and his interests before finding some things for him to read. He left here with a fantasy novel that he was super excited about and a classic children's mystery that I gave him to help him branch out in his tastes. Now I am just sad that I don't work here so I won't get to find out how he liked the books. But, what fun to see the excitement of a new reader!
Then, a teenage boy who IS NOT a reader came in with his mom. His parents are trying to get him to become a reader and his dad just got him to read some Sherlock Holmes. He really enjoyed it and was willing to discuss reading something else. Apparently, other librarians had tried (and failed) to get him some books to read. The mom was (okay, I'll just say it...she was extremely pushy) difficult so I was treading gently between them, but I ended up learning that this kid loves to watch tv. Which is exactly what his parents hate. I, of course, saw the potential and starting talking to him about what it is that he watches on tv and learned that he has a scientific bent. His favorite show is MythBusters. Well, that made it easy. There are tons of non-fiction books on myths, legends, unexplained science, paranormal mysteries, etc. I found him a few different books talking about things like that and he seemed genuinely excited. It seemed that the problem was that everyone was trying to get him to read fiction and he wasn't interested. I've got him reading in his interest areas and I am guessing he'll be back for more. Before they left I saw him sitting in a chair and reading one of the books I gave him while his mom was browsing in fiction for herself. It was a cool moment for me.
Then there was this fourth grade girl who likes to learn things but isn't a great reader. Her father was here, pushing her to read more. She seemed unhappy and not at all interested. I talked to her for a bit and learned that they've been studying the pilgrims and the Mayflower at school and she really likes that, but she doesn't like reading. I immediately flashed on the story (above) of the teenage boy I had helped and wondered if I had another one on my hands. This is less common in girls but still happens. They (and their parents) think of reading as fiction stories. But some people just aren't interested in that. I took this girl into non-fiction and we found some books about pilgrims that will support what she is learning in school. One of the books we found is from the "Don't Know Much About" series, which is a really cool way to learn, especially for reluctant readers. Well, dad wasn't too jazzed about this, but I talked to him about how getting excited about reading is half the battle. And as we were talking about this, the girl was sitting on the floor reading the books I gave her. Dad did cave and the girl got to take her pilgrim books home to read.
It has been so exciting to be here and to get to do what I love the most. I really drives home that this is what I want to do...
Now I just need to (continue to) be patient and wait for my dream opportunity to crop up. I know it is out there for me. And now I know that when I'm looking, I'd be much happier in a mid-sized to small community library, rather than a larger, busy, hectic, over-sized library.
While I'm waiting, I'll just be glad that every so often I get to have those perfect moments that reassure me I am meant to do this.
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