Libraries are oxygen! So thankful for our wonderful system in WI. One of my favorite parts of when I lived in Columbus, OH was their amazing downtown library. And increasingly, libraries and librarians offer literal shelter for our young people.
I cannot agree more with “libraries are oxygen.” Every week when we step into our library it’s quite literally like stepping into another world where you have no worries. 😮💨😮💨
We love our librarians and our library! I love that it’s basically the one place my child can just be like “bye mom, going to find something for me” and I’m not like “no wait for me!” We go out separate ways for a few minutes and meet in the middle and I love giving her the opportunity to pick the things she wants, or has interest in. It’s so eye opening.
I love this! As a librarian I’m surprised how often a patron will approach me with a “sorry to bother you.” And I love replying “I’m happy to help! That’s why I’m here.” And I really appreciate your thoughts re independent choice as the right of every reader at every age. Yes to “junky” reads and all. It’s so cool to see what my growing kid likes to pick out, and what books fully absorb her attention - it’s usually not the books I pick.
What a nice read! I cherish the library, it’s has been apart of my life for as long as I can remember—even as a teenager it was my place of solitude. It’s amazing to instill the love of reading and library to our kids. To see them light up on library day, a true joy.
I’m currently reading The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians. To me, being a librarian is so cool!
Love this post and so grateful for our libraries. As the Mum of the tractor loving 3 year old, thank you for your advice. Flavour of the month is now sea creatures...
I know we talk about third spaces and how they’re slowly disappearing but the library is alive and well (mostly)! My absolute favorite thing is getting to know our librarians and all the amazing things they do. Love this post!
Libraries are alive but in many places, they are far from well. They need citizen support — by putting books on hold (often state dollars are tied to circulation numbers and hold increase these), checking out items, and being vocal as a community member and tax payer. That’s just basic — if your library or library system is under any kind of attack, there are other, further avenues of support.
Basically, if we want libraries to continue to be those free, welcoming third spaces (in our communities, schools, everywhere), we need to stay awake, and fight for them whenever and however possible.
I'm truly stunned by this post. I've never in my life met a friendly helpful librarian - I'm middle aged, lived across four states, almost a dozen schools, countless cities, and I've been a library patron at all of them, and in my life I've never met a librarian who didn't glare at me if I came too close to them. I have no idea what purpose librarians serve, and I'd never ask for help from them.
All this, plus in my current city, the library hasn't taken down their covid plexiglass and every single employee is still masked, no exaggeration, I've made a point of noticing, it's all of them. Either way, it succeeded in creating a "don't bother me" vibe. So I don't.
Wait no. I needed books to explain to my 2 year old that we were putting our dog down and I'm pretty good at finding books myself - a necessary skill since librarians have never been approachable - but I couldn't find any on this topic so I had to ask. He seemed pretty freaking annoyed to be interrupted but he came through for us. Oh, plus they have a play area for kids but you have to wear a bracelet and we stopped going to the play area because of the cranky librarian monitoring the bracelet situation.
Wow, I’m so disappointed that you’ve had such a negative experience in so many libraries. I’ve definitely met a few cranky library workers in my day but, by and large, my experiences echo those of other commenters. In some cities I’ve lived in the library has been one of the only open spaces left and as such is extremely over used by the community for social services that are draining the patience and resources of librarians. Don’t get me wrong, those patrons deserve social services, and some of them should be met at a library, but having worked at a public library reference desk I can tell you I was being asked for services that had nothing to do with my training (like social work, tax advice, conflict resolution, food insecurity advice, therapy). I’m going to hazard a guess that at least a few of your cranky librarians were dealing with this overload of community need and likely being actively underfunded. I’m so sorry that your view of librarians has been damaged. Also, have to say that being in a public facing job and having low pay means they are more likely to be impacted by airborne illnesses and wearing a mask is an entirely reasonable choice.
Kelsey pretty much said everything I was going to say… I’m sorry you’ve had such bad experiences. Certainly I can’t say every librarian everywhere is amazing and helpful, but I don’t think people go into librarianship without at least some initial drive to help people. The are public servants, after all.
Yay Sarah! So happy to be able to share my advice with your readers! And your answer to the question at the end? ABSOLUTE PERFECTION ❤️
Thank you, Katy! And thank you too, of course, for writing the post in the first place.
There’s so much good happening at libraries around the country..and a safe, fun place for families and those who are alone.
Libraries are oxygen! So thankful for our wonderful system in WI. One of my favorite parts of when I lived in Columbus, OH was their amazing downtown library. And increasingly, libraries and librarians offer literal shelter for our young people.
I cannot agree more with “libraries are oxygen.” Every week when we step into our library it’s quite literally like stepping into another world where you have no worries. 😮💨😮💨
We love our librarians and our library! I love that it’s basically the one place my child can just be like “bye mom, going to find something for me” and I’m not like “no wait for me!” We go out separate ways for a few minutes and meet in the middle and I love giving her the opportunity to pick the things she wants, or has interest in. It’s so eye opening.
This is so, so fantastic!!
Libraries are the best. So many of my fondest childhood memories involve trips to the library and my middle school librarian. Hooray!
I worked at the library in highschool and fully endorse this message! I still check out books in my 30s
I love this! As a librarian I’m surprised how often a patron will approach me with a “sorry to bother you.” And I love replying “I’m happy to help! That’s why I’m here.” And I really appreciate your thoughts re independent choice as the right of every reader at every age. Yes to “junky” reads and all. It’s so cool to see what my growing kid likes to pick out, and what books fully absorb her attention - it’s usually not the books I pick.
What a nice read! I cherish the library, it’s has been apart of my life for as long as I can remember—even as a teenager it was my place of solitude. It’s amazing to instill the love of reading and library to our kids. To see them light up on library day, a true joy.
I’m currently reading The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians. To me, being a librarian is so cool!
Love this post and so grateful for our libraries. As the Mum of the tractor loving 3 year old, thank you for your advice. Flavour of the month is now sea creatures...
Bring on the sea creature books! 🐙🦀😂
I know we talk about third spaces and how they’re slowly disappearing but the library is alive and well (mostly)! My absolute favorite thing is getting to know our librarians and all the amazing things they do. Love this post!
Libraries are alive but in many places, they are far from well. They need citizen support — by putting books on hold (often state dollars are tied to circulation numbers and hold increase these), checking out items, and being vocal as a community member and tax payer. That’s just basic — if your library or library system is under any kind of attack, there are other, further avenues of support.
Basically, if we want libraries to continue to be those free, welcoming third spaces (in our communities, schools, everywhere), we need to stay awake, and fight for them whenever and however possible.
Love that!
I'm truly stunned by this post. I've never in my life met a friendly helpful librarian - I'm middle aged, lived across four states, almost a dozen schools, countless cities, and I've been a library patron at all of them, and in my life I've never met a librarian who didn't glare at me if I came too close to them. I have no idea what purpose librarians serve, and I'd never ask for help from them.
All this, plus in my current city, the library hasn't taken down their covid plexiglass and every single employee is still masked, no exaggeration, I've made a point of noticing, it's all of them. Either way, it succeeded in creating a "don't bother me" vibe. So I don't.
Wait no. I needed books to explain to my 2 year old that we were putting our dog down and I'm pretty good at finding books myself - a necessary skill since librarians have never been approachable - but I couldn't find any on this topic so I had to ask. He seemed pretty freaking annoyed to be interrupted but he came through for us. Oh, plus they have a play area for kids but you have to wear a bracelet and we stopped going to the play area because of the cranky librarian monitoring the bracelet situation.
Wow, I’m so disappointed that you’ve had such a negative experience in so many libraries. I’ve definitely met a few cranky library workers in my day but, by and large, my experiences echo those of other commenters. In some cities I’ve lived in the library has been one of the only open spaces left and as such is extremely over used by the community for social services that are draining the patience and resources of librarians. Don’t get me wrong, those patrons deserve social services, and some of them should be met at a library, but having worked at a public library reference desk I can tell you I was being asked for services that had nothing to do with my training (like social work, tax advice, conflict resolution, food insecurity advice, therapy). I’m going to hazard a guess that at least a few of your cranky librarians were dealing with this overload of community need and likely being actively underfunded. I’m so sorry that your view of librarians has been damaged. Also, have to say that being in a public facing job and having low pay means they are more likely to be impacted by airborne illnesses and wearing a mask is an entirely reasonable choice.
Kelsey pretty much said everything I was going to say… I’m sorry you’ve had such bad experiences. Certainly I can’t say every librarian everywhere is amazing and helpful, but I don’t think people go into librarianship without at least some initial drive to help people. The are public servants, after all.