No Parking Baby

Yesterday afternoon, I just happened to glance at the laptop table. On the floor, leaning against the Self-Checkout Machine, was a No Parking Sign.

Yes indeed, one of our loyal patrons stole a No Parking Sign(probably from in front of the building) and left it for our custodial staff to dispose of.

When I mentioned the sign to one of my co-workers, he picked it up and placed it behind the reference desk.

This afternoon, when I arrived at the reference desk another one of my co-workers had it under her arm as she left the desk. I asked her if that was her way of letting us know that she didn't want anyone visiting her desk area too long. She replied, "Yes, especially between the hours of 12 midnight and 6:00a.m.

I don't know if I've mentioned this before

The woman who calls the reference desk regarding us(the librarians) correcting her spelling/gramatical errors has been fired.
I know this because two weeks aga she called and asked me to help her with an email. She wanted to know where they wanted her to leave the laptop and her security badge on 12/31.

She forgot a few things when she revealed this to me. I had asked her a few years ago, why she didn't use the spell/grammar check in word. She told me she didn't have a computer.


Well, yesterday she was sending an email. She was trying to ask when her exit interview was being conducted. She kept saying it was an exit and I kept asking her if it was an exit interview that she was referring to. After trying to explain what I was saying a few times, I finally asked her if her office conducted exit interviews. She told me that they did and asked me how to spell it. I thought she meant interview. Ater taking the time to spell the word slowly, she said, "No, not that. How do you spell exit?". My co-worker said that I should 've given her the incorrect spelling. He said, "They are firing her anyway. They know that she can't spell!"

Pet Rooster

No, the title isn't a mistake. While walking to the library this morning, I saw a rooster strutting along the edge of the grass. As I got closer, I realized that there was a homemade leash attached to the rooster.
When I entered the library, I asked one of the security officers if the man with the pet rooster is a regular. I found out that he is a regular patron and the rooster's name is Champ.

It began this past Monday morning

We open at 10am on Mondays. I was at the reference desk with my supervisor. I answered the telephone, the patron stated that she couldn't hear me and asked that I speak louder.

I said, "GENERAL COLLECTIONS DEPARTMENT, MAY I HELP YOU?"The patron said, "NO YOU MAY NOT, F*CK YOU!" Then she hung up.

My supervisor asked, "Did they have a question?" I told him what happened and he replied, "Well, I guess that's how our week will go."

Tuesday afternoon, this man walked pass the reference desk cursing like, well, you know. He then returned to the desk and asked me what happened to the truck with books that were in the biography section on Monday. I told him that the books had probably been shelved.

He told me that I was wrong, because it was too many books. He then said, "The were about celebrities." I told him that he was on the wrong floor, because celebrity biographies are in the Art & Music Department. He had the nerve to tell me that I was wrong. I said once again, slowly, "You want the Art&Music Department on the 4th floor, you are on the 3rd floor." He replied, "YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, I'M ON THE WRONG FLOOR!"Wednesday, a patron decided that he wanted to argue with me about one of the library rules.

He asked me,(while standing two rows away) what the minimum number you could have for your library card pin. I told him one. He told me, "NO, YOU'RE WRONG, IT'S MORE THAN THAT!" I repeated myself. He then put up his hand as if dismissing me.

Holiday/Winter and the library

We usually start to notice a change just before Thanksgiving, or the weekend after. The regulars start to fade away. There are fewer patrons in the evening. This year has been a little different.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, it was CROWDED. It seemed as if no one wanted to leave. There were quite a few new faces who have now become regulars.

As I'm typing this, I realize that it may have a lot to do with that new Sit/Lie Law that passed.

I've seen some mentally ill, that I haven't seen in months.

Why did my day have to end like that

Mr. TIGER BAL.M himself chose to approach me at the reference desk. He mumbles and I couldn't understand half of what he was asking. I told him to write down whatever it was that he was looking for. He admitted that he should have asked for it downstairs, because it's probably fiction.

I finally found the book that he was looking, translated into English and it is fiction. Fiction is on the first floor, where he came from. I told him this and he argued with me about why there was probably a copy on the 3rd Floor. I finally stopped him in the middle of his rant and said, "I can't understand half of what you are saying, so quit talking to me and go look for your book!"

He then asked me what the largest country is in Africa, I told him I didn't know. He then said, "Why not, haven't you been there?" I told him no. He then asked me, "Why not?" I said, "Why haven't you been there, you're the one with all of the questions?" He then said, "Oh, you haven't been there because of money. I haven't been anywhere."

He then starts with me about the dictionaries. He asked me where the dictionaries are. I began telling him where they were and he yelled, "OH YEAH, YEAH, I KNOW!" I said, "If you know everything, why are you asking me?" Once again, he started up, talking about the size of dictionary he wanted. I told him that he better leave me alone, because I was done talking to him because he wasn't speaking clearly anyway.

When he finally left, my co-worker said, "He always has to be correct, even if he's wrong and you show him the answer written in black and white. Then he has to have the last word."

Not one of those days, one of those weeks

There's a woman who visits our floor occasionally. If anyone corrects her or asks her to move, she's writing a complaint form about their behavior. I've been the victim of her rant before. She fills the complaint form from top to bottom, on both sides. There is so much writing that you'll give yourself a headache trying to read it.

Sunday, another regular came to the reference desk and complained that he had booked a computer and she was sitting at it. Since this has happened numerous times with this woman, I asked her if she had booked that computer in advance. She said yes, so I told her that I would check the other patron's library card. I checked his library card and he had written down the wrong information. His computer for that time slot was on another floor.

I went on to help someone else. While on my way back to the reference desk, I noticed the woman sitting at the laptop table. She rolled her eyes at me(which is normal behavior if she is complaining about you,) as I walked past her.

Yesterday, I noticed her complaint form about me at the reference desk. It hadn't been turned in yet, so I don't know if management has stopped submitting her complaints.

Monday

I had to have security escort a drunk man out of the library.

As he walked toward the computers, I noticed that he was swaying. When he decided on a computer; as he made an attempt to sit in the chair, he fell. He stayed on the floor for a minute and another patron helped him into the chair(I was calling security to escort him out.)

When security arrived, they smelled his water bottle. They then asked him if he had been drinking. He said, wait for it..............."YEP, ALL DAY, EXCEPT WHILE IN THE LIBRARY!"

Today

One of my co-workers who is on a scheduled vacation, called in sick. One of the floor supervisors who is also on a scheduled vacation was today's Reference Desk rotation.

And the beat goes..............

This afternoon, I was informed that the man from the Monday October 25, 2010 story was suspended from the library for three days yesterday.

Get this, he was so wasted that he forgot and the floor manager saw him wandering the floor with his eyes closed today. His suspension was extended today, he is now banned for 7 days.

I told the floor manager that he probably won't remember today, and will return to the library tomorrow.

What is it about Mondays?

I wasn't at work last Monday, but they had another unresponsive drunk. They said he was breathing, they just weren't able to wake him from his vodk.a induced slumber.

Today, a page alerted the librarians to two men who were seen chugging a bottle. When I arrived at the reference desk, I didn't catch them. I just kept giving them the evil eyes. After 15 minutes of this, they made their way to the elevators. There was a black plastic bag in the hand of one of them(the type given at the liquor store.)

I've been watching you all day and..........

You haven't done any work all day.

That's what a patron said to me after she dropped a stack of books and her library card in front of me at the reference desk. I told her that if she wanted to checkout her books, she would have to do so at the self checkout or with a clerk on the 1st floor. That's when she told me that whole mess about watching me. If she really had been watching me, she would have seen that I had just returned to the reference desk. I had just shown a patron how to use the self checkout machine.

I was so tired of kooky people yesterday, I didn't even argue. I said, "I'm sorry that's not something that is done at the reference desk.

This has been my luck for the past few days

Saturday

I was locked out of my car with my purse and cell phone inside, while the car was on. I had gotten out to make sure that I was not blocking the cross walk and close enough to the curve(I had parked downhill.) A breeze and the door closed. I then heard a click click, which meant the car was being locked(there's a electrical problem going on.)

Sunday

After work, I went to visit my Mom. I arrived home and realized that my door/gate keys were inside, where I had left them the night before. I called my Mom, to see if she had her keys to the gate with her and went back to the hospital to get them.

Tuesday

While on my way home to drop my car off, I was rear ended. The guy who hit me kept apologizing, and saying that he didn't see the cars stopped. We were on a street that has parking lot traffic 24/7. He then gave me bogus car insurance information. Luckily, I had taken a picture of his license plate.

Odd things from the library

There is an old man who comes to my floor everyday, sits down, takes off his shoes and proceeds to rub tige.r bal.m on his feet and legs. He had the nerve to get offended when he was informed that he must keep his shoes on, when in the library. The security guard even said, "Or you can just do that in the bathroom, but not out in the open area."

The telephone number in the government information department has been changed. Instead of obtaining the new number, our operators simply transfer the calls to the general collections department(my department.) Yesterday, I finally took it upon myself to call another department on the same floor and ask them to find out what the new extension is. When I answered the telephone yesterday, the patron said, "I asked to be transferred to government information, YOU AREN'T THAT DEPARTMENT!"

Almost a week later

The San Francisco Gia.nts Celebration was a nightmare. The end of the parade route was across the street from my building. When I got to work, there was no in and out of the building. You were taking your chances, if you did. There are three public entrance/exits, and one staff entrance/exit. Two of the public entrance/exits were closed because of the crowd.

When the crowd discovered that our building was open, some of them had the bright idea to look out of the windows on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors. I went to the 5th floor for my normal Wednesday 1-3pm shift, and one whole side of the floor was standing room only. People were listening to the speeched on their radios. The only instruction from management, was to monitor the crowds.

When I left work at 7:00 p.m., there were still people lingering. Police cruisers were driving up and down the streets four deep.

If I didn't have to work that day, I wouldn't have been anywhere near that place.

What a Monday

The end of my second hour at the reference was ending soon, when I noticed a man sleeping at the Encyclopedia Table.
I went over to attempt to awaken the patron. My raps on the table went unnoticed. The patron was slowly learning closer to the floor. There was a stream of snot hanging from one nostril, and he was lightly snoring.

Unable to wake the patron, I returned to the reference desk. As I began a call to security, the patron fell on the floor. My co-worker went over and said that I should call 911 because the patron wasn't waking up.

Security officers arrived, turned the patron on his side, and still didn't get a response from the patron.

The paramedics arrived quickly. They were unable to get a response from the patron. He was taken to the hospital.

FOUND among the patrons possessions, an EMPTY PINT OF VODKA, and a pack of PILLS.


That's how my Monday is going thus far how about yours?

21 years ago today

There was a earthquake in San Francisco. Normally, this day has come and gone before I realize it.

Today, the similarities and differences struck me. October 17. 1989 was a hot day(SF standards,) it was muggy, and there was a slight smog in the air.
I was a full-time student during the day and worked a night shift from 3pm-12 midnight. The night-shift looked forward to 5:00pm, because the day shift departed and the building got quiet.

Well, this day, at 5:00pm the building began to shake. I duked under one of the old wooden desk. I didn't get up until the building stopped moving.
We went outside to the parking lot across the street. There was a head count to make sure the night shift was accounted for.

We discovered that a brick wall on the 6th street of the building had collapsed. A lot of our cars had been damaged. Some were crushed and resembled metal suitcases. One woman from the day-shift lost her life when the wall collapsed.

***SIDE NOTE***My car was famous! My godmother called the next day and told us to turn on the To.day Sh.ow. There was my car. It has risen in the air and landed on a pile of bricks from wall that collapsed.


Fast forward 2010******

It began raining this morning as I prepared for work. I look forward to 5:00pm today, because the library closes and I get to leave for the day.

Some things can't be explained!

Yesterday, in passing, my co-worker informed me that security had found two 19yr old men/boys having sex in the 1st floor men's restroom.....My mouth hung open....THE DESIRE WAS THAT URGENT???

Has anyone ever gotten mad at you because they were wrong, and you had the unlucky pleasure of informing them??? Yea, well it happens to me everyday, but not before the person has a chance to argue their position.

Why did I get an email assignment yesterday(Tuesday) and the deadline is this Friday. I don't work on Fridays, so my deadline is Thursday. I sent the woman questions today and got no answers. The previous deadline was September 30th. She ended the email by stating that the deadline was so quick because SHE was going on vacation.

I see strange people

This is a given when at work, but it happens on the bus, while walking downtown, or while on my way to the p*st o*ffice. Last Thursday, while walking to the post office, I saw this lady. I wasn't able to get a good picture. I think my shock had a lot to do with it. She looked like the living version of L*ttle B*Peep.

She had pigtails, tied with little black bows. There were black sheep on her skirt, which had a crinoline, with patent leather mary janes. I snapped the picture while I was crossing the street.

if I've said this before, please forgive me in advance

I HATE WHINERS!! I especially HATE GROWN AZZ PEOPLE who WHINE!

What brought on this confession, you ask?

A librarian called in sick today. We are short staffed on Mondays, because some of the librarians don't work. They have a Tuesday - Saturday schedule.

So the old grumpy part-time complained because she was scheduled to work 4 desk hours and everyone else got 3.5

She whined until my supervisor volunteered to work the extra hour.

I'm usually the one who receives the short end of the scheduling stick. I, on the other hand don't complain. I know Mondays are tight and it's hard to make sure everyone is treated fairly.

This past Sunday

There was a man walking around with a stack of blank payroll checks.

He said they wouldn't cash his personal check at the check cashing place. They told him that the only accept payroll checks. He said that he wanted to type his own payroll checks. He then began talking about having just completed shooting a film. I told him that he couldn't use his personal paper in the library printers.

About 5 minutes later, he came back talking about having $400 in the bank that he couldn't access until Monday.

I told him to try kin*os.

What a day

An old woman stopped at the reference desk and stared. I asked her if she needed help.

She said, "I guess they're changing things around here!"

I said, "In reference to what?"

She then said, "Like you! You haven't worked here long, because I've never seen you!"

I said, "Yes, I've been here for a while."

She told me, "WELL, I'VE NEVER SEEN YOU BEFORE; SO YOU'RE NEW!!". She continued to mumble this over and over, as she walked, while pushing a walker.

A man who is a regular approached me a the reference shortly after the incident above.

He said, "You must be new, because I've never seen you before."

I said, "I've been here for a while."

17 minutes before closing, a young goy approached me at the reference desk and saidn "I want a book that tells me where all of the ports in the U.S. are."

He told me that it's very important to know where all of the ports are. He went on to tell me how he didn't trust new information and he only wanted old books.

Just when I think I have them figured out

The crazies that is. I've got the 3rd floor regulars locked in my memory. I now have to recognize and remember the 5th floor regulars.

This afternoon, after spending 20 minutes search for information on a topic that a patron gave me, the other librarian at the desk informed me that she is one of the disturbed regulars. He said, " Oh, she always gives you these crazy subjects that don't match anything and wants you to find articles."

I was able to find something, but it didn't match everything that she had written. It was a blog post, but the author had cited his sources. It was 15 pages long and I wasn't printed all of it. I printed 5 pages of the post, and 2 pages of the citations.

The other librarians seemed to be surprised that her jumbled subjects were actually part of a story.

She is finally leaving

They are saying that she's retiring, but how can you retire from a job where you've only been employed for three years?

They gave her a "Retirement Party" yesterday and I chose not to attend. My co-worker said I was being mean. Why should I attend a party in honor of someone who annoys me? I'm also glad that she's leaving.

Her voice sound like finger nails scraping a chalkboard. I hate being anywhere nearby whenever she is speaking. I wouldn't be able to hide my facial expressions in a room full of people.


I found out this past Tuesday that the lady is 72. Now I understand why she found every excuse available to explain why she couldn't finish shelving books.

It has happened again

Let me start by saying that I was not at the reference desk when this occured(thankfully.)

The one who's always calling in sick was. She told me what happened later in the day.

A patron approached her at the reference desk. He told that it was the second time that this has happened to him at the same computer terminal. He gave her a bed bug. He then said that he would check his home, to make sure that it's not HIS problem.

My response: It might just be his problem because a lot of people use that computer EVERYDAY
and he's the only one reporting a bed bug siting.

After a few hours and many telephone calls, someone from custodial sterilized the area.

I caught her in the act today

Almost everytime that I have a perfect desk schedule, there's a floor supervisor who will rearrange it so that mine sucks and hers is glowing.

You see, I'm late almost everyday(that says something about my feelings for my job, I know.) It's usually somewhere in between 5-15 minutes. Today, the bus driver was working in my favor. She was on time and she went the speed limit(she's usually early and I miss the bus.)

Well this supervisor takes advantage of my not being at my desk. Meaning, she doesn't have to ask me about any schedule changes. Today I went to check the schedule and she had just switched me with her. I said, "YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" She said, "AND WHY CAN'T I?" I then told her that I was scheduled to work in another department during the timeslot that she wanted me to be on the reference desk.

Instead of taking my word for it, she had to double check what I said. After she saw the written proof that she was in the wrong, she said, "Oh f**k, I guess I have to work that hour afterall."

A continuation of the patron incidents from last week

Last Thursday, my co-worker informed a patron that he was sitting in a designated teen area and he had to move.
The policy is that an adult must be accompanied by a teen, when sitting in the
teen area.

Okay, no biggie. The man then came over to me and said, " I want to know that librarian's name because I'm going to write a letter to the city librarian." My co-worker then came over to where we were and said, "We don't give out our names, but you can have my badge number."

The patron stated, "YOU HAVE A BAD ATTITUDE" and walked away. We thought nothing of the incident, because it happens all of the time.

Sunday when I arrived to work, my supervisor asked me about the incident. He wanted to know if it was me or my co-worker that the patron was complaining about. I told him what happened.

He then explained to me that the patron did send a complaint letter to the city librarian and he now had to appologize to the patron.

My co-worker followed proceedure, but because a complaint was made to the city librarian, the patron now has to receive an appology. He also needs to be reassured that my co-worker will be reprimanded.

Another problem caller

Thursday evening 2 times, I returned to the reference desk and heard my co-worker say, "I'M NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO YOU YELL AND CURSE AT ME." She would then hang up the telephone.

10 minutes passed. A clerk calls, I answered, he began yelling, "YEAH, IT'S THAT PATRON AGAIN"

I stopped him mid sentence and said, "I haven't spoken to you or that patron today, so I don't know what you're referring to. Just transfer the patron."

The patron starts in, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS". I stopped her and said, " I didn't speak with you earlier and I don't need a recap of what happened. I just need to know the titles of the books that you're looking for." Only 1 title ended up being circulating.
I put the book on hold for her. She then asked, "Can you transfer me to the manager for Information Services, because I didn't yell, or curse at anyone."

I transferred the call.

Who knew

If you act a fool on the telephone, you get results.

Wednesday, I heard my co-woker tell a patron via telephone that she has fines and they need to be resolved before she can check out a book.
The patron had requested that a book be placed on hold. My co-worker explained to the patron that she'd had to override the block on her record. My co-worker then told the patron where she could pick-up the book. The patron was yelling and screaming so loud, she didn't even hear what was being said.

My co-worker hung up the telephone as the patron was in the middle of her rant.

The patron called back and she was transfered to our floor. My co-worker said, "I'm not speaking to her again!"

I picked up the call, and the caller was trying to play the innocent victim. "Yeah, you hung up the the telephone in my face without even telling me where I could pick up the book."

I said, "I didn't hang up on you, and she did tell you where the book would be."

Patron: "If you didn't speak to me, how do you know what I'm talking about?"

I told her that I was standing at the desk when she called. The patron then began another rant, "I want her name and I want to speak with the manager. If the manager isn't available, then I want to speak with whoever's in charge!"
I put the patron on hold, so that I could transfer the call. She hung up.

This happened two more times.

Thursday afternoon, we found out that she had complained to the Chief of the Main's office, and her fines disappeared in the process.

The Vapors Patron returns

Yesterday her issue was the library's windows. They don't open, we need ventilation, and fire exits. I told her that the windows don't open, but we do have a ventilation system. She then said, "Well the windows in city hall open!" I said, "City Hall is a much older building. This building opened in 1996." She then stated, "There are city regulations that say buildings must have windows that open and fire escapes."

I said, "Well you need to take that complaint to city hall." She then asked for one of the library's comment/complaint forms.

After completing the form, she said to me, "No make sure that you give that to the correct person."

To be appreciated

An elderly woman approached me at the reference desk and said, "I'm not too good with new technology". I asked her what she was looking for.
She told me that she only had 80% of her hearing. I asked, "What is it that you're looking for?". She put the books that she had in her hands on the counter and said, "I need you to make some copies for me."
I stopped her by saying, "Oh, no, I don't do that. You need to go over to the page desk, which is across from the copy room.". She learned onto the counter and said, "I CAN'T HEAR YOU, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?". I wrote page desk on a piece of paper and pointed in the direction she needed to go. She then said, "OH, THAT'S NOT A PART OF YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION, EXCUSE ME FOR OFFENDING YOU!"

As she walked away, I thought, "You can't hear, but you knew exactly what I said."


An old man was after her. He told me I wasn't listening to him. I told him the search terms that he needed to use for an online catalog search. I let him finish rambling, and the same terms were needed for the search. I also told him that he wouldn't find the books he wanted on the 3rd floor. I showed him the titles and he wanted me to print out each one he was interested in. I finally explained to him that all of the books are shelved near each other upstairs.


I helped a woman who was looking for books with information about harems. I asked her if she had done a keyword or subject search. She told me that she had done every type of search and wasn't able to find anything.
I asked her what country did she want? She told me whichever one had results. I did two keyword searches and found quite a few books.
She said, "I need to learn your search skills."

Are evil thoughts okay?

This evening, I had to wake a patron who had fallen asleep while at one of the internet computers.
I knocked on the table near him, he didn't budge. I took a reference book from the index table and threw it down on the table near the patron. He still didn't budge. I walked toward the reference desk(I was going to call security,) and one of the observers yelled that the patron had finally awakened.
I returned to the patron's side and told him that he had slept through his internet session and needed to move.

Instead of believing me, the patron continued to sit in front of the computer. He was trying to log in and use the time that he slept through.

While trying to wake the patron, I thought, "Now if I kick him, he'll wake up and I'll be in the wrong!"

Our Library has vapors

That's what a patron told me yesterday. She proceeded to explain to my that she could see the vapors. She also said that in order for me to view them, I had to take pictures with the camera set on natural light exposure. This is when she pulled from her many backpacks, pictures of things like trees, the side of a house, and a toilet. All of the pictures had the glare of light.

I listened with grave difficulty. I was trying so hard not to laugh in that womans face. I just kept nodding and looking at her as if she had lost her mind. Thankyfully, she finally said, "OKAY, you have a good day now and walked away."

What I learned today

While in the Government Documents Department, a patron who frequents my floor had just left the reference desk when I arrived. The other librarians were saying how much humor they get out of their interactions with him. He has given one the name of Glorious Librarian, the other he gave a police badge sticker and she's a Sargent Librarian.

They asked me if I had any experience with him on my floor. I told them yes, and it's never as pleasant as theirs. I explained that whenever he approaches me at the reference desk, I can't understand what he's saying. I'm always asking him to explain slowly, what he is saying. He ends up grunting at me and walking away. He then rolls his eyes at the reference desk every time that he walks by afterward.

Well, the GIC Librarians told me that I must never try to figure out what he is saying. They said that I must just nod in agreement with everything that he is saying. When he is done, he will ask, "Do I have permission to leave?" I must tell him yes, and he will walk away quietly.

I failed to mention that he wears some type of foreign service uniform, topcoat and all daily.

Prior to yesterday, it had been quiet in the staff area

The LOUD mouth who sits in the cubicle one aisle over has been out. I believe it's been for a little over a week. All I noticed was the quiet, that is until another co-worker mentioned that the lady had been out sick.

I still didn't think anything was wrong. This woman has been working up to going out on disability leave for the past month. I thought she must have figured out how to get it approved.

No such luck. LOUD mouth returned to work yesterday, because she ran out of sick and vacation leave.

I have to give it to her, she played her part, coughing up a storm.

Today, she's not coughing, but she was on the telephone for the first 1 1/2 hour of work. Talking loudly about nothing as usual. Now, she missing, she just returned as I'm typing this.

I'll just wait and see how this plays out.

After posting about the weird people

You know, the ones with stalker tendencies.

Last Monday was the third day of my three day staycation. My Mom wanted me to take her to the big box store in town. I really wanted to go to the location one city over. I told her that I always see someone that I'm not trying to be bothered with there. Well..........she won out.

As soon as we walked in, who do I see, my work stalker.

I pointed him out to her and explained who he is. He would repeatedly walk past the reference desk and stare at me. This was at the community college. When I worked as a children's librarian in the hood, I would occasionally see the same car driving in circles while I walked home. Just before I transferred locations, the driver of the car rolled down the window one night. The driver was this same guy. He had the nerve to say, "Oh, hey!". I thought yea, like I'm going to answer you. I kept walking.


After I had been at my present location for a few weeks, the guy began appearing on this floor. He would do the same thing, walk past the reference desk and stare at me. The other thing he does, is stand at the library catalogs across from the reference desk and stare at me (I know this because every time that I look toward the elevators, he is staring at me.)

After seeing him last Monday, when I returned to work on Tuesday, I was upstairs in the GIC and dude came up there. Going through the usual motions of walking past the reference desk and staring at me.

Well he finally got his nerve up yesterday and approached me at the reference desk. He said, "Uh yea, I saw you last week at Co*tco. You never go there." I said, "No, I don't.". He then asked, "Well, what brought you there?". I answered, "My Mother."

I get the creeps whenever I see or talk about that guy. After I typed this post, I went upstairs to the GIC and guess who I saw? Yep, you guessed it. I guess he felt that me acknoledging him yesterday, meant that it would happen again. He kept walking past the reference desk and staring at me. I kept reading an article online.

One downside to a customer service occupation

My personal shopping choices are altered. A new grocery store opened closer to my home, I had been reluctant to try it. One Saturday, I just decided to go for it. I saw so many regulars at the library, I began to wonder what they were doing there. I now know one of the places they go, when they aren't at the library.

This past Friday, I decided to try another location of the same chain, that's a neighborhood away from the library. I hadn't even reached the entrance to the store, and I saw two library patrons. Thankfully, they didn't see me before I notice them.

The only solution has been to shop at least 30 minutes outside of the city. This also limits the amount of co-workers that I run into also.

Secure, but not really

There is a member of the library security who should've never been hired. Well, they did hire him and it's been so long that they're now afraid to fire/layoff/whateveryouwhattocallit him.

He is the first to volunteer to secure our floor at closing. Oh yay, us!! This means that we now have closing proceedures for our floor. We must walk the floor, reminding people that we are closing. We must remain on the floor until the final closing announcement has been given. Lastly, we have to point out to the above mentioned security personnel where the remaining patrons are.

Today, there was a group in the meeting room. I thought they must have been library staff, because no one had informed them of our closing time. I went in the back to check the schedule, and no, it was a community meeting. When they were informed that the library was closed, they said, "They security guard looked in the window and kept walking."

A little bit of this and that

I wanted to post something new yesterday, but my cell battery died at work. My charger doesn't work when plugged into the outlets in the staff area.


It's super quiet in the Government Document Center. The same folks who act a fool and yell, are even quiet when I see them up there. When they see me, they've been saying things like, "They've got you working everywhere!"

The shim who works my last nerves just kept staring and smiling.

Copyright, patent, and criminal law are the most popular questions so far.

Budget cuts and staffing

As a result of my library system's budget cuts and hiring freeze, they've developed the concept of cross-training. The line in the manager's minutes read, We will begin cross training in all departments.

What it should have read is, Librarian's from the 3rd floor will be training in all departments lacking sufficient staff. Yours truly is the victim of this scam. I was told that the Chief wanted me to cross-train in the Government Information Center. That isn't the case, my supervisor volunteered me. This is the department with the most vacancies. I'm told that the staff are treated as if they work in a factory.

My first day of training was today. Everyone was all smiles and played nice.

Someone wrote what a lot of us would love to SREAM

My Mom sent me this link the other day. I thought those of you who read my blog would enjoy this. I've also passed it on to a few librarian friends of mine.

http://librarianavengers.org/worship-2


The link isn't working, so here's the post. Over at the website, they have a great graffic includes with the post.


Why you should fall to your knees and worship a librarian
k, sure. We’ve all got our little preconceived notions about who librarians are and what they do.

Many people think of librarians as diminutive civil servants, scuttling about “Sssh-ing” people and stamping things. Well, think again buster.

Librarians have degrees. They go to graduate school for Information Science and become masters of data systems and human/computer interaction. Librarians can catalog anything from an onion to a dog’s ear. They could catalog you.

Librarians wield unfathomable power. With a flip of the wrist they can hide your dissertation behind piles of old Field and Stream magazines. They can find data for your term paper that you never knew existed. They may even point you toward new and appropriate subject headings.

People become librarians because they know too much. Their knowledge extends beyond mere categories. They cannot be confined to disciplines. Librarians are all-knowing and all-seeing. They bring order to chaos. They bring wisdom and culture to the masses. They preserve every aspect of human knowledge. Librarians rule. And they will kick the crap out of anyone who says otherwise.

Public schools have only been out for 1 week

I'm ready for summer to be over already! There's a group of three boys ages 11-13 who have been pressing their luck. I had them escorted out of the library last Wednesday. They were arguing with me, trying to tell me what the library rules are. They did what they wanted, after I informed them of the rules on our floor. They were arguing with each other. I called security because of other patrons. The responding officer saw the three boys and decided to observe them. He then asked me what happened. After explaining that they refussed to follow rules, they were told to leave.

Thursday, two librarins spoke to two of the same boys on two different occassions. They had girls with them. They were teasing the girls and throwing books at them. All involved were told to separate. All they did was return an hour later, when the desk staff changed. My supervisor when to verify what they were told. They noticed him eyeing them and left the floor.

Early this afternoo, they were kicked out for identity theft( it was discovered that they were using multiple library card numbers to aCcess the internet.)

Time away

I made the decision last month, to begin taking one vacation day per month. Sometimes I feel as if I need a break from the patrons and my co-workers. I put my request in for 6 months of one day vacations, and it was approved.

It's very rare that I take a vacation day, and 1 week of vacation almost never happens. The biggest obstacle is my co-workers. They block up months in advance in the vacation calendar book.

Last Thursday, my co-worker(who talks LOUDLY and sits in the cubicle adjacent to mine,) came to my desk with the vacation book. She said, "If by any chance you decide not to take October 26th off, can you let me know because I plan to go on vacation that week. Before she finished her spiel, I said no. I then told her that I'm taking one day per month off.

This woman calls in sick three out of the four Tuesdays every month. Her work schedule is Tuesday - Saturday. As she was talking to me, I was thinking that she just needs to work the other three Tuesdays that month, so she can call in sick on the 26th. We already know that she won't be in to work that day.

Pet peeve

I'm sure this annoys anyone who deals with the public on any level. We close at 6:00pm on Mondays.

I watched the patron exit the elevator onto the floor at 5:45pm. He made a point to walk around the reference desk. At 5:55pm, just as the closing announcement was being broadcast, the patron approached the reference desk. He asked if I would help him find a book. I said, "You just had to wait until 5 minutes before closing?" He replied, "I thought I could find it on my own."

I look up the call number for the book, and it's a reference book. I informed the patron that he wouldn't be able to check that book out, but I told his where it was located. He then asked me to look up another book. That book was one that he could checkout. I took him to the shelf and handed him the book. I informed him that he needed to hurry up, if he intended to check the book out. He decided to browse the book. I then watched him return the book to the shelf at 5:59pm, and select another book.

He was looking for books on the occult. This happens to be the my order area. There is a high theft rate for books on that subject. The bulk of the books have been made reference because of this.

Finals month

It seems as if that's how long finals last. Sundays are classic for elementary/middle school/high school/college students to approach the reference desk. They request help in finding books related to their topic/assignment.

In actuality, they want us to find the books/articles, and point out the information needed. Some even want us to narrow their broad subject. When it is explained that we don't do that, we get blank stares. You hear all of us repeating the same thing over and over, "We can show you where the information is, but it isn't our job to find everything."

Using the computers, they always seem to need more that 1 hour because they can't complete everything during that time.

This past Sunday, a patron asked me how to save something in his email. I explained to him how to copy and paste. He gave me the classic BLANK STARE! Of course, when he approached me for help, he only had 5 minutes left on the computer. I copied the document and pasted into a new email. I told him to type an identifier in the subject line and save it as a draft. I pointed to the save as a draft tab. Two minutes later, the patron ran over to me and said, "I don't know what happened, it just disappeared."
I went over and it was gone, but the word document was still there. Time was running out, so I got a flash drive and tried to save it, but there wasn't enough time.
This man turned on me that quick and said, "I DON'T KNOW WHY THESE COMPUTERS CUT OFF AND ERASE INFORMATION. I GO TO THE ART INSTITUTE AND THE COMPUTERS STAY ON THERE."

I said, "My only advice to you is to come back tomorrow and ask for help earlier."
His response, "I'M NEVER COMING TO THIS LIBRARY AGAIN!"

At the same time this was going on, another patron was yelling at my co-worker because it takes money to retrieve a print job. She wanted to know why she couldn't pay with a debit or credit card. She also said the she should have been informed before she began using the computer, that she would have to pay for her print jobs with a copy card. My co-worker said, "We aren't mind readers!"

What a week

And it's not over yet.

It began last Thursday, May 6,2010

A local news reporter was touring my floor. Accompanying her were a camera man, the library's public liaison, and the social worker.
They found a man at one of the study tables along the wall. He just happened to be pleasuring himself. Security was called and everything from the confrontation to the man being escorted to the security office was filmed. I'm sure that the library will be exposed on television soon.

Sunday May 9, 2010
The staff toilets were working, but we couldn't use the sinks.
We were told to wash our hands in the kitchenette sink.

A patron was banging the computer mouse on the table and cursing the computer.
He was upset because he couldn't use the computer(it had been booked by someone else.)
I told him that he could use an express terminal(there was a line.)
He told me that if he felt like waiting, he would have reserved a computer.

He then went over to the express computers and jumped the line. Security was called.
When the officer arrived, the man didn't like what he was told. He sucker punched the officer. They began to tussle, and the officer put him in a choke hold.

Monday May 10,2010

We arrived to work and were told the only working restrooms were on the 1st and lower level. We couldn't run any water at all. We were told it would only last 30 minutes. An hour later, they sent an email saying everything had been repaired EXCEPT the 3rd floor. We had to wait until the afternoon. That afternoon,
the toilets were back working, but the sinks only had cold water.

As of today, May 19, 2010, the staff restroom sinks are still running just cold water. We were told that a replacement part was ordered for the sinks.

This is your reference question, really?

Caller: What day is cinco de mayo?

Me: May 5th, today!

Caller: It's always been May 5th?

Me: Yes

Caller: Always, even in the 70's

Me: Yes, even in the 70's

My Co-worker has jokes!

I had a staycation April 22- May 1st. As I approached my cubicle this morning, my co-worker asked me, "Are you HAPPY to be back at work?". I replied, "That was not nice."

Technology challenged

That's how he phrased it.

An eldery gentleman asked me to help him locate the call number for an author. I gave him the call number, and he set off to find the book. He returned to the desk, and told me that he wanted to copy one of the poems, but the book was too heavy.

I asked him what the title was, located a copy of the poem online, and printed it for him. He said, " I didn't know that thing could do that. You just type in what you want and then it appears?" I laughed, and told him something like that.

Eatin funny

Yesterday afternoon, for once it was quiet. To my right, I heard a noise. I looked, I saw 4 teen girls, hands quickly moving to get under the table, and mouths chewing. They looked up at me with expressions of surprise.

I said, "YES, I SAW YOU! EATING ISN'T ALLOWED IN THE LIBRARY!"

The ringleader rushed to put the candy in her tote bag. I kept peeking to see what they were up to, until they finally moved. They left their belongings in the care of their friend while they moved out of my sight.

About 10 minutes after that............

Another group of about 8 teens exited the elevator. They walked back and forth for a minute. They located the woman that they were looking for. The woman happened to be using a laptop. Well, they had the bright idea to turn the music up on the laptop and start dancing in the middle of one half of the floor.

So, you think LIBRARIAN means all knowing?

Last Thursday evening, a patron kept circling the reference desk, while trying to smile at me.
I saw him out of the corner of my eye. I kept my eyes glued to the computer screen.
Finally, he walked up to me and asked if I was busy? I asked him if he had a question, or needed help.
THIS FOOL had the nerve to say, "I WANT YOU TO SHOW ME HOW TO DO PERCENTAGES.". I told him to go to the 4th flr and get a math book.
Yesterday, a patron approached me at the reference desk and said, "What's the difference between a author and when it says edited by?"
Today, a patron called and asked my co-worker if we have a lot of books on WWII. He told him that we do. The patron then asked, "What's the best WWII book?". My co-worker told him that he would have to come into the library, look at the collection, and determine the answer for himself.". The patron then asked why he couldn't just tell him over the telephone. My co-worker told the patron that he couldn't determine the best source, because of the size of the collection. The patron then said, "Why don't you know, you're a librarian, aren't you?"

How does one forget a computer

Yesterday afternoon, a patron brought a Ma*Book with the charger attached to the reference desk. He said that it had been on top of one of the cabinets for quite a while. I told my co-worker to take it to security. I didn't want to be responsible for anything like that.
NO ONE came to the desk to ask about it.
How do you forget about a computer? A Ma*Book at that!

Yesterday, I did the Teen Librarian's job

She was working the Teen Reference desk. She was tidying up the paperback book racks. As I walked past the Teen Center, I noticed a couple on top of each other, and I let her know. She said, "OH NO, NOT AGAIN, THEY ARE AT IT EVERYDAY! I just said something to them yesterday, can you speak to them today?

I walked back over there and said, "IF YOU AREN'T ALLOWED TO DO THAT AT HOME, THEN YOU CAN'T DO IT IN THE LIBRARY EITHER! You(the girl) need to get a chair and sit in it, by yourself." I turned to leave and noticed their friend laughing at them.

Teen Center news

There are signs on the tables and computer workstations in the Teen Center. The signs say that the area is designated for teens, adults are only allowed if they are accompanied by a teen. There have been many violations of this rule, so now the signs are in 3 languages.
One of my co-workers, is adamant about enforcing the rule. A few weeks ago, she approached World Traveler(she will sit and stare at the globe for hours.). When World Traveler saw her, she said, "I know the sign says that adults must be accompanied by a teen. I'm sitting here, hoping that one of my children will stop by."

When my co-worker told me what happened, I told her, "Well, there isn't anything you can say about that one.". World Traveler's response was classic, it was like she had her response memorized.

Even now, I think about what World Traveler said and laugh.

You can now use the library as a charging station

There are a few patrons that use the library to charge their wheelchairs. Cellular telephone charging has become the norm, but I still can't get used to seeing the random wheelchair.

Yesterday morning, I had gone to the first floor, to give security a identification card that had been left at the reference desk. As I exited the staff elevator, I saw a wheelchair against the wall, near the large print books. The wheelchair was plugged in. Sitting across from the chair, was it's owner, who had the nerve to give me the 'side-eye(yes, Jazzy, he did') Thrown to the side of the patron was a prosthetic leg.

Upon first glance, it seemed as if the leg didn't belong to the patron. After closer inspection, I saw that it did.

When I returned to my floor, I relayed this story to my co-worker. He said, "Was the leg being charged also?"

On to the good news

Thursday evening, just before I left work, as I was helping a patron, I noticed Radio Man blowing his nose ONTO THE CARPETED FLOOR. When he saw me, he popped up like nothing had happened.

Since it was time for me to leave for the day, my co-worker agreed to file the paperwork and deal with security.

Sunday, I found out that RADIO MAN IS BANNED FOR 90 DAYS!!!!!

Mine arrived this past Saturday

Since Friday is my scheduled day off, I received my pink slip along with Saturday's mail.

The effective date is May 8, 2010. Sunday, while at work, I learned that the union is working on a solution. Meetings were scheduled to explain what we are to do after receiving the pink slips. I didn't attend any, because they didn't fit my desk schedule. I thought that I'd wait until next week. It's a good thing also, because maybe we'll receive solid answers.

Pink Slips

That's been the topic around here since yesterday. It all started when the City Librarian forwarded a memo to the library staff that was written by the mayor.
Pink Slips will be issued to all city departments tomorrow. All classifications will be included in this mass layoff.
Supposedly, some of those laid off, will have the option of being re-hired part-time. The part-time hours aren't to exceed 37.5 hours.

Yesterday, the whinner came to my desk and asked me, "Are you worried?". I told her that there wasn't anything that I could do to prevent being laid-off, so I can't worry about that.
Later, one of the women who liked to call in sick on or after pay day, was in a tiff about the rankings list. I just let her talk. I chose not to explain that the rank is where you were on the eligibility list, when you were offered your current position.
Today, they've been standing around whining about the possible outcome tomorrow. I'm just tired of hearing them talk about the same stuff. It's 4pm and one of the main complainers just said,"Let me go get some work done."

I don't know if I've mentioned "Radio Man"

There's a man who likes to frequent the floor that I work on....Often I think, he likes to annoy the staff. I realize that's his way of gaining attention, being loud and abusive. Yesterday, I had to speak with him about his behavior, because he was disturbing the people around him. As I was walking away, he said something smart, I whipped my head around and gave him a look that said, "TRY ME!"

Today, he came strolling onto the floor around 2:30p.m. When I saw him, I told my co-worker that I really wasn't in the mood today. Radio Man decided that he would hang around the reference desk talking loudly. He was trying to work my nerves, because as he walked past the reference desk, he looked me dead in my face. I turned my head, and every time that I looked up, he was looking at me to see what my reaction was. I fixed him, because I told my co-worker, "I need to call security and tell them that they need to come and get their friend." He walked away from the reference desk when I said that.

His favorite ways to annoy us, are to play his DVDs loudly, listen to music on his radio(that he carries daily,) or play his bongos. His preference is to sit at a table where there are quite a few people on their laptops, or reading.

I have personally had security escort him out of the building on numerous occasions. Other times, I have told him, "You have two choices, leave now on your own, or I'll call for you to have a security escort." I usually end up calling security because he will start saying some slick mess to me.

On the way to the bus stop this morning

I was minding my own business, walking while listening to my ipod. Out of the corner of my right eye, I see a police van stop. I thought nothing of it, because they often cruise the other end of my street. Then.......the driver's side window opens slowly. As I got closer to the van, I saw that it was my former co-worker.

Mr. Officer: " I couldn't just drive past and not stop."

Me: "Hi, how are you? Are you still at the high school?" (There's a high school near my home)

Mr. Officer: " Yes. Do you still bake?"

Me: "I haven't in a while, but yes, I still bake."

Mr. Officer: "Do you think you could bake me a cake or pie?"

Me: "You're not right because you would sit in front of the school and eat it in front of the kids!"

****Here it comes*********He asked, "So, you're not married yet?" I respond, "No, WHY, do you ask me that everytime that you see me?"

Mr. Officer: "I ask because you're a good girl and you deserve to be married."

Me: "You need to tell your friend that." (He is friends with my ex.)

NOW FOR THE CLENCHER, WHAT HE HAS BEEN DYING TO ASK, ALMOST AS LONG AS WE'VE KNOW EACH OTHER. HE HAS ASKED AROUND THIS QUESTION IN THE PAST************************

Mr. Officer: "Do you still talk to Re and La?" (women we used to work with)

Me: "Not Re, but I email La sometimes."

Mr. Officer: "You pretty much keep to yourself"

Me: "Pretty much."

Mr. Officer: "Oh, so you can keep a secret?"

Me: "Mr. Officer, I'm not trying to mess with a married man!"

Mr. Officer: "WHAT!!! Why would you come at me like that?"

Me: "Because you said, you can keep a secret."

Mr. Officer is married, his 2nd marriage at that. When we worked together, he was married to his 1st wife. He messed around with Re for a minute. He quite that job to become a police officer. He then began messing with a supervisor at our old job. He then divorced his 1st wife, to marry the supervisor.

My co-worker tells me that it's because "they" like me

There is an African American woman in her 50's that has chosen to bother me. My co-workers have named her Tangentia, because, well, I'm sure you can guess.

I have told her many times, about her bad habit of asking 5 questions, while you're still in the process of locating the answer to her first question.

Today, she hovered around the reference desk until I finished helping another patron. By the time I had become frustrated with her, it turned out that she really didn't want anything anyway. I've already told her about asking me questions that she could find the answers to, just by using the 15 minute express computers. She had the nerve to tell me, "Oh, I don't know how to use a computer." My response surprised her, I said, " I saw you using one, and you know how to search quite well."

After she finished bugging me today, she said as she walked away, "I hope I didn't waste 50 million of the city's dollars with that question.

Yesterday's Blast From my past

It was busy at the reference desk. Answer 1 patron's question, and before they could walk away, there's another patron. So, like a machine, I answered a patron's question while finishing up a telephone reference question. As I was preparing the books that the telephone patron wanted placed on hold, this patron backtracks and asks, "Does your name happen to be Nexgrl?" I answered, "Yeah(like annnnnd what do you want.)". The patron then said, "My name is Mark, and I went to All Hallows(my elementary school) with you.". I looked up, and I was shocked. I had seen the man 8yrs ago at my niece's 21st b-day. It was a BIG difference. All I could say was, "Oh, hi."

Another gross library sighting

Yesterday afternoon, there were some roach sightings in the reference area on my floor.

My guess is that they are coming from the patrons who sit/lay in that area with all of their belongings. There is a bank of windows along that wall and patrons move chairs from other areas and camp out. I have gone through and moved all of the chairs, but they reappear the next day.

Economy fallout

In November, the residents of the city received post cards, saying that the local community college wouldn't be sending class schedules via snail mail anymore. We were advised to search the colleges online class schedule. Unfortunately for us, the general public didn't think that post card applied to the library.

In the past, the library system has received vast quantities of schedules for universities and community colleges in the area.

This year, we were told that the schedules would be printed on a as needed basis, and very little would be distributed. I made a special request for 150, because I felt we've received far too many in the past. Of course, we ran out long before the Spring Semester start date(last week.) Patrons have been calling and hanging up in our faces, when told that we don't have any. The patron who walk in, have been yelling, and taking it out on us. They aren't even trying to hear that the same information can be found on the schools website.

***When the number of class schedules got low, I set aside two copies for the reference desk*****Patrons get an attitude and don't want to look at those copies either.

Weirdo alert

I went to the reference desk Wednesday afternoon to relieve a co-worker. I was told that another Librarian who had already been relieved was waiting on security. For what you ask........

A female page had been trying to shelve books in the education section and she reported a male patron sitting in a cubicle near the windows. He had his hand down his pants while he watched her shelve. She felt uncomfortable and reported the incident.

The security supervisor finally arrived(a woman) and escorted the patron downstairs. We don't know what happened after that, because rarely do we get follow-up information.

Storm filled Sunday

Spent walking around and waking up people. They were sleeping in aisles, along the walls under the windows, and at tables, out in the open. What's funny is everyone always tries to play it off like they weren't sleeping.

One man was sleeping so hard, that my knocking on the table didn't even stir him. My supervisor then walked over with a large reference book and threw it down on the table twice.

The smells of the library on a rainy day aren't nice at all. Everything seems to be magnified when it's damp, or soaked.

This situation had me confussed for a while

For about a year, a flaming gentleman would always say "HEY BABY," whenever he saw me. I in turn, would always look at him as if he had lost his marbles. This man is rail thin and dyes his hair "Bozo The Clown" red.

The first time he said, "HEY BABY, HOW'RE YOU DOING TODAY?" to me I was at the reference desk with my supervisor. My supervisor turned to me and said, "Is there something that I've been missing here?"

Finally, two weeks ago, the guy approached me while I was helping a patron at the reference desk. He interrupted the conversation without excusing himself and said, "I NEED SOME HELP AT THE COMPUTER."

I said, "You will have to wait because I'm helping another patron right now."

He said, " Awww Aida, you gon do me like that after everything we've been through."

I said, "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?"

He said, "Aida(whispering)"

I said, "THAT IS NOT MY NAME!" That's the African American Librarian who works on
on the 4th floor. She is at least 10-15 years older than me.

He walked to the other side of the reference desk and asked the other librarian for help(he wasn't busy anyway.)