Likes & Dislikes

Two events this morning provided me with smiles (sometimes an entire week will go by without that happening!)

As I was sitting at the reference desk doing reference work (really--it may not look like it to the civilian but, yes, it's what I get paid to do), I happened to look up & caught sight of a middle-aged plus woman scanning the shelves containing the new books. She plucked one down, smiled almost beatifically as she hugged the tome to her chest, and went blissfully to the circulation counter to check out. Coming to the library should be akin to a religious experience and I envied her.

Not too long after catching that raptuous moment, Lenny, who is somewhat mentally challenged but has more sweetness and politeness in his little finger than the dozen or so people waiting to get on the computers to find a mate combined, came up to request two DVDs. "But won't that put me over the limit when they come in since I'm taking these with me today?" Politeness always wins me over so I suggested he just not mention it when he came in to pick them up. He could check out three-fourths of our collection and still get them back on time. However, I felt a twinge of guilt as I realized that I had just told the nicest patron we have to break the rules. But isn't that why we make them?

Then afternoon came and any residue euphoria quickly evaporated. I don't want the library to be as quiet as a tomb but is it too much to ask that cell phones be turned off? And people not broadcast their conversations to everyone in--and outside--the building? Or that children and adolescents learn that running and yelling are not proper library behavior? In just a matter of minutes, I believe I sprouted a bun, glasses on a chain appeared around my neck, and my finger is permanantly positioned in the "shushing" mode. Fortunately for all concerned, my shift is nearly over.