Library excitement

My first hour at the reference desk. 1/2 hour into the shift. One of the pages runs to the reference desk and tells us to call security. A man was standing at the copy machine destroying books, not 1,2, or 3, but he had a stack of about 30-35 and he was riping them apart.

My co-worker went over there because I had just answered a telephone call. He yelled, " Call the police because I want to go to jail. I want to go back to rehab."

When the security officer arrived, the man yelled, "ARE YOU GOING TO CALL THE REAL POLICE NOW?"

Dude told me that I couldn't make him leave

The patron told me," You can't tell me to leave, only security can tell me to leave."

At that point, I realized the man is ignorant and I wasn't going to bother explaining the rules and regulations of the library to him.

1. Any staff member can request that a patron leave if they are violating the rules and regulations. If they fail to leave, we are then required to call security and have them escorted out of the building.

It all started when I tried to explain to the patron why he couldn't use the terminal he had selected. Someone prior to him had logged onto the computer and left for whatever reasons. Another patron came along and put the terminal on standby. This means that for ten minutes, the only person allowed to log onto the computer is the one who signed on initially.

Dude proceeded to argue me down. When I returned to the reference desk, HE SHUT THE COMPUTER DOWN. So what he was doing is saying F**k you, I am doing what I want.

At that point, I returned to the patron and said, " Because you chose to disregard what I said and shut down the computer, you must leave!" I said it twice. He then gave me the statement that began this entry.

It just so happend that one of the security guards had just gotten off the elevator. I worked with her in another department in this city. She is well aware of how tolerant I am.

I said, " I NOW WANT HIM TO LEAVE BECAUSE HE CHOSE TO CHALLENGE ME!"

3rd Floor Carpet Installation Day 4

That's right, so far the carpet removal/installation has taken 4 days and only 1/4 of the floor has been completed.

Today, they began moving the computer terminals, tables, and chairs on the side of the floor on which I work. I have watched people sit down in front of terminals that have been moved away from the usual position. They aren't plugged-in and the chairs have been moved away from the tables. These people have pulled chairs up to these terminal and proceeded to examine the terminals to find out why they won't turn on.

For the past month, there has been a posting on the library homepage regarding the new carpet installation. The dates were posted. The questions I received (my first time on the desk today was 3:00 p.m.)

"Why don't the computers work?"

"What are they doing again?"

"Do you know if the computers will be working tomorrow?"

"Why don't they put signs on the computers?"

"They haven't finished yet?"

Rising temperatures brings out the unusual

This marks the third day where the noon day temperature is above 70 degrees. Sitting at the reference desk, I marvel at the creative ways in which a people accustomed to fog and wind adjust to the heat.

The ways in which they have chosen to expose their flesh. Some things, I wish that I hadn't seen.

It rained last week and it is obvious which individuals couldn't wait to break out the linen and sandals.

I have seen feet that should never be exposed! I mean, neva eva, eva!