The Big Switch

Not a patron story for a change, just a story about a certain librarian today :)

When I switched library branches, I got a lot of crap from my current branch at the time. Mainly, because the current branch was what I'll call the "Nice but Somewhat Stuck Up" branch, and the branch I was going to was considered.... well the "Slumming it" branch. The "Nice but Somewhat Stuck Up" branch received its name because it's the busiest and one of the most extensively stocked with items branches. It's a bit stuck up because they are the busiest branch, the most exclusive branch, they have the best location, yadda yadda yadda.

The "Slumming it" branch received its name due to its location. It's not in the worst part of town, but it has a higher crime rate than our other locations. The branch is also close to downtown, which doesn't help either. We are also the only branch with a cop, which does put us all at ease, but we try to handle the dilemma first (Not that our cops are not needed or appreciated, they most certainly are). Also, this location has been in dire need of a renovation or a new building for some time, so it's not in the best shape either.

As I have written before, I'm 23, I have somewhat of a baby face, I'm short, and I was raised in the quiet but always gossipy suburbs. At first, I was a bit afraid of the "Slumming it" branch. I mean I had worked at the "Nice but Somewhat Stuck Up" branch for five and a half years, I was only 16 when I started out. So, everything was a big adjustment. I was going to have to change, and be accustomed to a whole different library, and leave everything familiar.

When I got the job at the "Slumming it" branch, I thought I had initially made a mistake because:

1) At the "Nice but Somewhat Stuck Up" branch, I never had to worry about someone breaking into my car.

2) The "Nice but Somewhat Stuck Up" branch was only seven minutes away from my house.

3) There weren't AS many sketchy patrons.

4) I did have more stalkers at the other branch but I got hit on at an alarmingly scary rate.... along with every other girl that is. When I say girl, I do mean that there are 16 and 17 year olds who are cat called "sexy little girls" at my branch. Ah the male gender, so endearing.

5) Everyone seemed confused to why I would want to switch branches (Which made me nervous even more so).

6) I was befuddled when the "Slumming it" branch wasn't as uptight as the "Nice but Somewhat Stuck Up" branch. It was a good thing, but still concerned me for some reason.

There were some good and bad parts to working at the "Nice but Somewhat Stuck Up" branch, and while I enjoyed my time there and don't regret working there, I know it was never the right place for me. It took me a second to step back, and look at my new job at the "Slumming it" branch, but I realized that it fit better than the "Nice but Somewhat Stuck Up" branch ever did. It wasn't just about a whole new batch of co-workers, it wasn't just the patrons, and it wasn't just about learning a new way to run a library-it was everything. I felt at home there.

I love the stories I get from this library. Instead of the usual constant crowd of suburban moms (Yeah, I lived in the burbs, yes I know I sound hypocritical, get used to it), I meet a wide range of people. Yeah, not all of them are perfect angels, but they make life interesting. I'm enthralled to go to work and see what kind of mess will unravel, or if I will be pleasantly surprised (A little girl did say I looked like Taylor Swift the other day, it made my night). I'm only part time right now, and I'm desperately trying to become full time, or find another part time job, but something tells me that life wouldn't be the same without the lib (That's what the cool kids are calling it these days).

Sincerely, 

Your Non-Stereotypical Librarian

This goes out to all the library creepers part 2: Extra pervy edition

It's a known fact that if you work at a library, or any real public place, the perverts will flock to you. Hide your kids, hide your wives, Hell hide your husbands because they're word violating everyone up in here. I briefly touched on the perverseness of library patrons in previous posts, but I didn't really delve into the depths of pervdom... The People Who Obviously Have Significant Others but Hit on Librarians Tale   It seems like when I do get hit on, it's not by a guy that I want to hit on me. I'm not trying to sound stuck up, I'm really not, but I feel like that's the case for everybody. It's like going to a bar (Yeah I know comparing a library to a bar, I'm a weirdo), the only people that seem to hit on you are the ones you try to stay away from. It doesn't mean that the people are necessarily bad looking or are feeding you constant cheesy pick up lines (However, this is often the case), but sometimes the people are just downright inappropriate. Today for example, I was checking out video games to this guy. He happened to have a fine that he wanted to pay. I went through the necessary steps but I messed up something in the cash register. Unfortunately, I do not have the best math skills, and our cash register is particularly confusing when it comes to voids. I apologized to the man because I was taking for what seemed like forever to fix everything. He said, "Ah with that professional sweet voice of yours, your beautiful eyes and face-everything is just fine." I know what you're thinking, and no, I'm not making this stuff up. I knew this guy had kids based on the books and video games he checked out, I knew this guy had or has a wife because he had a wedding ring on, and I knew that he was at least a good 15 years older than me. It's one thing to say someone has pretty eyes, or a nice smile. I still think it's weird to hit on someone that's considerably younger than oneself. Also, I do have a baby face. Hardly anyone can guess how old I really am, so this makes this encounter even creepier. If I hit on someone 15 years younger than I I'd be hitting on 8 year-olds. That would also make me a pedophile.  Once, a guy we'll call Ned*, was checking out this woman who had a small fine. The woman was obviously crushing on Ned. Ned often got this reaction. He's usually ogled by female teenagers who only stare adoringly and wouldn't dare have the nerve to talk to him. The woman was shamelessly trying to flirt with Ned, however Ned still didn't understand or feel comfortable being hit on without any subtlety. She said, "I'll pay you back somehow." It sounds harmless when you see it on the computer screen but the way she said it was so much more heinous and suggestive. I can only describe it as an ongoing batting of lashes, winks, and arm patting (Her petting Ned's arm not vice versa). Ned was sort of well... horrified. He knew she was joking, but that didn't make the awkwardnesss go away. I won't go into stalkers with this story... that's possibly another entry for another day. I do have one mini story left however. I won't disclose my name, but just to preface this story, my name is not Nicole. When this guy came up to the checkout counter I didn't think anything of it. I didn't suspect he'd use a crappy pick up line, or make me feel the least bit uncomfortable... but he did. "Hey, Nicole." I began to utter, "My name is not Nic.." Before I could finish talking he said, "Nicole Kidman!" I'm amazed when everybody thinks I look like a celebrity just because I'm pale and have red hair... That's all me and Nicole Kidman have in common. Well me, and the "Moulin Rouge" version of Nicole Kidman. I think it makes people uncomfortable to be hit on by a total stranger. It might be because you're not attracted to the individual, or it might be because it doesn't seem genuine, and/or it feels fake or forced. *Another bar reference* A guy hit on me at a bar last weekend, he seemed harmless enough, but I felt put on the spot. It might be due to a somewhat recent breakup of mine, or I might be old fashioned in my way of thinking, but I want to know the person somewhat first before they call me beautiful. I almost feel victimized even if a woman I don't know says I'm pretty. It might be a lack of self confidence, or perhaps I can't take a compliment. I'm not sure. I'm not trying to lecture anybody, but  if you're a person who hits on people without a trace of subtlety, you might want to think twice about whom you're cornering. I swear I sound like the most conservative 23 year old in the world sometimes.... sigh. Sincerely, Your Non-Stereotypical Librarian

The Attack of the Stan(s)

The Lonely but Annoying Patron Tale

Stan* isn't really his name, but we'll pretend that it is. Stan is a very lonely, but annoying man that calls the library at least once or twice a day.  The staff thinks he might be agoraphobic or unable to leave his house since he has never visited our library (To our knowledge). As a circulation employee I never had the displeasure of talking to Stan before because he only calls the reference desk. During the past few months however, I've taken extra shifts at the reference desk so I won't be as poor as usual. When I took my first call from Stan I was unprepared for who was on the other line.

Stan is not a very polite man. He often cuts you off when you're simply trying to help him out. Also, Stan likes to test you on your research skills. Since I work at circ I don't get to hone in on my research skills all that much anymore, so I was a bit rusty when he called.

His first question, "Who are the Goths? I want to know more about them". (I was tempted to ask him if he meant the culture not the tribe, but I held my tongue) I stupidly used my old faithful site, Wikipedia. As I was spilling out facts, I was interrupted by Stan. "I don't agree with that, I don't agree with that at all". I was a bit taken aback, and I'm not often surprised by patrons anymore. Before I could open another browser to search a different site I was interrupted again, "You're on Wikipedia aren't you?" He told me that he was looking at Wikipedia too! I was baffled to why he was on the same website as me. Why did he need me to research for him then? I was embarrassed that I used Wikipedia, but I was rusty, I wasn't sure how to research quickly anymore. I have written many research papers in my day, but that was when I had access to college databases.

Stan followed up asking about what the price of gold was per ounce, and if I could find where the Pillar Stone was located. After 15 minutes of me trying to navigate more "knowledgeable" sites, he grew bored of me and hung up.  I had no idea that my conversation with Stan was an easy one compared to others who have dealt with Stan.

 

When I even casually mention Stan to  my co-workers, they automatically ask if I had to create a fake movie review for him. Apparently, Stan doesn't trust the critics, but does happen to trust the library staff in this case. Apparently he's really into movies from the 90's. I wonder if he's more of a Titanic or Matrix man?

Stan is out done by Phil*, a patron, who asks for every movie ever made, every actor/actress that has ever lived, and so on and so forth. Not only are those kind of lists unavailable, but any lists found are typically considered for the most part, unreliable as well.

My friend Rebecca* works at the reference desk, she has a few tales of her own about Stan, but my favorite tale is when she had to read the Scottish Deceleration of Independence aloud to Stan. Can you imagine reading the entire deceleration out loud when there are patrons milling about probably wondering what she was doing? The things I love about Rebecca is that she's sweet and has so much patience. The staff agrees that while Stan can be annoying, they think he's just lonely and needs someone to talk to. It's kind of sad once you think about it, I try to remember that when he gets on my nerves.Working at the reference desk made me realize that I need to work on having more patience with insistent patrons.

My beef here isn't with Stan exactly. It's with these kind of patrons in general. I'm fine with patrons asking questions, but when they aren't even in need of a real answer or can only disagree with you-what's the point? I wish that most of the questions directed towards us were more library related, but that's not a reasonable request anymore if your library is popular. I get it, librarians are the researchers, we're supposed to know everything. Although, I find it trivial to look up every restaurant that serves buffalo wings in the tri-state era (True story that I may tell another time). I'd much rather than look up a recipe book for buffalo wild wings.

I imagine everybody has these kind of stories, but since I've only ever worked at a library (besides my disastrous attempt to work at an ice cream shop-which lasted a whopping two days) I might be a bit biased.

^ Not really Stan... but he might look like this. We've never seen him in person.

Sincerely,

Your Non-Stereotypical Librarian

The Public Library: A Drop off Zone for Children?

Some adult (I use this term loosely because of their lack of maturity) patrons think public libraries are secretly a free day care center. I don't know where this idea popped into their heads, but I sure as Hell wish it would leave. I love it when people think that all libraries are quiet. Some libraries are quiet, but not the busy ones!

I don't actually have a patron story for you today boys and girls. Today I just wanted to vent about how neglectful parents can be with their children. Remember, I warned you that I'm ranting.

I remember thinking when I was a child that the library was a sacred place. After all, where else could you get movies and books for free? I thought of the library as a sanctuary, a place that I could be safe to read and have fun for free. Obviously, now that I'm 22, and have been in the library system for 6 years, my view is slightly askew. The library is more like a home to me. A very dysfunctional, somewhat dirty, loud, and cold home, but still familiar and oddly comforting for some odd reason.

I understand that there are parents who cannot watch their children because they are at work, or they have other commitments that prohibit them from being with their children. However, is it necessary to think of the library as a daycare? I feel like an old timer when I'm complaining about this, but I honestly don't know when this idea came about. When I see a five year old that's unattended and wandering around the library, I freak out. There are a lot of creepers in the world, and they seem to hone in at public locations like libraries. The child could easily be picked up and taken out of the building without anyone noticing.

Also it's just disrespectful to expect us to handle your kids for however many odd hours. It's not like every kid is like Matilda, (yes I'm referencing the book/movie) and will be polite and calm with just reading and learning from books. I know that we can't prevent children throwing tantrums or screaming, but I would like to not have to parent a kid who isn't mine because their parents weren't there to do it for me. I'd rather the parent(s) come in, and experience the library, the right way with their children.

Sincerely,

Your Non-Stereotypical Librarian

Ode to Urban Fiction and Romance Novels

Ok, so I'm not going to actually do an ode to urban fiction and romance novels. I will however, poke fun at it. Urban fiction, to those who have not had the pleasure of reading one of these priceless gems, is basically erotica that happens to border on some sort of actual plot (but usually a half baked one). Wikipedia defines urban fiction much better than I can, "the name implies, in a city landscape; however, the genre is as much defined by the race and culture of its characters as the urban setting. The tone for urban fiction is usually dark, focusing on the underside. Profanity, sex, and violence are usually explicit, with the writer not shying away from or watering-down the material". Wikipedia defines romance novels as, "novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending".

There really isn't a huge gap between the two genres. When I say romance novels, I'm mainly talking about are your Danielle Steele types. The plot is consistently the same, boy finds girl, they have a very sexual relationship, girl gets mad at boy or vice versa or some obstacle disables their love, and in the end they make up and everything is grand once again. Did I mention that there are a myriad of sex scenes and cheesy innuendos? Like: "It was a dark and horny night..." No, I'm not joking either.

The plot for Sex in the Hood 2: "Sex in the Hood 2 is an inner-city version of My Fair Lady. A beautiful, pampered biracial girl is thrown into poverty when her wealthy white father dies. Forced to live with her black grandmother in one of Detroit's toughest neighborhoods, Victoria is lost until Duke Johnson takes interest in her. To Duke, Victoria is the most beautiful woman in the world, and he wants her more than any woma n he's ever met. The only problem is he's the leader of the most notorious gang in Detroit and everyone is scared of him, especially Victoria's grandmother. But his kind, warm hidden personality is the only thing Victoria can see as she lets Duke take her virtue. Together they begin to rule the mean streets of Detroit." 

Sounds like a winner!

There was a game I used to love to play in high school (that I still play occasionally if I'm bored) when I would be in a bookstore or at work. I'd get a romance novel, flip to a random page, and in seconds I could find a promiscuous line. You win almost every time. There isn't much room for disappointment with these novels, if you're looking to poke fun or to escape reality for a moment. I'm not trying to bash romance writers or readers. If that is your cup of tea, more power to you. I'm an aspiring writer, I can't imagine writing a sex scene for many reasons:

1)      I'd probably laugh the entire time while trying to write.

2)      If my parents would see it, even when I'm 40, I'd die of embarrassment.

3)      I'd be bashful of any reader actually reading those scenes.

4)      I went to Catholic school for 12 years, I'm still ingrained to think that writing/reading/being involved in/ watching a movie about fornicating is wrong.

If I could pick a favorite romance novel genre, it'd probably be supernatural romance. Supernatural romance wasn't even really a popular genre until five or six years ago.... Ah Twilight. I won't even start there because it would take up entirely too much time but I will say that I'm ashamed to have read the whole series.... and sort of enjoyed them until teeny boppers went all crazy. 

I will admit that Twilight did spark a whole new phase. It wasn't the first of its kind (Interview with a Vampire is much better) but now romance novels practically reek of supernatural beings. Though I love the show "True Blood" and the Sookie Stackhouse Novels, I can't help but grimace whenever I see a vampire or a werewolf on the cover of a novel. Unfortunately, supernatural romance gets more check out action than probably any other romance genre. Though, Amish romance is making a huge comeback recently. 

Sincerely,
Your Non-Stereotypical Librarian

This goes out to all the library creepers!

Ok, I do not work at the Cleveland library, but this video just happened upon my Facebook one day. Since then, I can't help but think of this video when thinking of the creepers at the library. You can watch the whole video in order to get the whole idea of this post, or watch 1 min and 35 seconds in. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYtUTu9H7dE

Wow. I mean, how could you ever show your face in public after that? The last 30 seconds alone are perhaps the most terrifyingly pathetic/hilarious part of the whole ordeal. Don't get me wrong, Mike Cooper is a total pervert creeper, but when his dad goes after Carl Monday-I feel kinda bad for the perv. Only a little bad because he is a creeper jerk. He wouldn't want children around him.You just know he is one of those guys that works a really crappy minimum wage job, lives in his parent's basement, probably watches too many reruns of Star Trek, and actually has to go to the local library to look up porn since his parents "happened" to put up parental blocks on the computer. What also scares me is that he's 23. When I usually think of child predators/creepers I expect them to be older for some reason. I think Cooper already knew he was a loser before he got caught with his hand down his pants.

I wish I could show this to every patron that comes into the library. It should be a tutorial to the library or something. The catch line would be, "Hey, do you not want to end up like this guy? Make sure to find a way to watch porn in the privacy of your home not near the children's section of the library." I think the patrons might be all, "That is so right! I'm gonna watch porn at home, not at the library." Ok, so I seriously doubt they'd think that, but it could happen. Maybe never, but I can dream.

I don't think this adds into the whole, being a librarian is sexy stereotype, but I don't think I should exclude it either. I cannot tell you how many times that me, or another female at work has been sexually harassed. It becomes downright disgusting at times. I know that if you're in the public eye, it's unwanted but expected. That doesn't make it right though. Whether it's a man of middle age calling one of the 17 year old shelvers "sexy little girl", or a geriatric man saying "hot damn" when I bend over in a dress (It was covering everything by the way, I'm not the kind of girl who shows her ta tas every chance she gets). No worries, I'm not stereotyping it to men being the creepers either.

The Woman Who Thinks I Hook on the Weekends Tale

I get really sick with a cold/sinus infection/strep throat, at least once a year. It's kind of a thing that I expect to happen mid-winter. Unfortunately, I developed a sinus infection a mere two weeks ago. I became hoarse and was unable to talk hardly at all. The whole day I practiced being a mime and polishing up my charade skills. It was rather embarrassing, but luckily my co-workers were very understanding and slightly amused by my inability to speak.

I was merely sitting at the desk when a woman walks up. I recognize the woman, usually she is very boisterous, but relatively harmless. The woman starts talking to me despite Sabrina*, a co-worker, checking the woman out. I can only nod and shrug my shoulders. Jade*, my other co-worker, watches the me closely as Sabrina checks the woman out. Jade had been my interpreter for the day. She explained to the woman that I was unable to talk because I was sick.

"Oh, sucking to much **** on the weekends girl?" Said the woman. Jade, Sabrina and I look at each other in utter confusion, all with the same thought. "Did she really just say that?" We all were very obviously uneasy, but we pretended like nothing happened (I tend to give almost everyone a second chance to make not such an *** out of themselves).

"I'll get your hold in the back," said Sabrina.

The woman, turned towards me and says, "All that ****, will do you in. Don'tchya dare swallow," the woman howls. This time she makes a rather telling gesture with her hand and mouth. I was internally freaking out, but was unable to voice my outrage. Jade immediately walks over to my chair.

"I'm gonna go say something to the supervisor," She whispers to me. I can tell she's as shocked and taken aback as I am. I reluctantly agree. I want to tell this woman off myself, but I don't have the voice to yell at her. Jade comes back with the supervisor. Sabrina is checking out the holds to the woman, but steps back when she sees the supervisor.

The supervisor warns the woman that if she misbehaves like that in the library again she will be kicked out immediately, and will possibly be banned.

"I was just playin'," her eyes become rather big and she appears to be panicked. I don't feel much sympathy for her. After all, she did practically call me a hooker.

What I have learned today: To watch porn in the privacy of my own home, that if I become hoarse-call off at work, and that I can be mistaken as a hooker :(

Sincerely,

Your Non-Stereotypical Librarian

*Names have been changed to entitle my co-workers to their privacy

Jerry Spinger ain't got nothing on me

Sometimes I forget that my work place can be like an episode from a trashy talk show. Wednesday, was no exception. Since I work at the circ desk I usually get to see all of the drama. Unlike the kids department, or the reference desk, the circ desk gets a lot of the weird action. It's mainly because we deal with people's accounts/problems and we're located in the front of the library.

The Jerry Springer-esque Tale

The only thing I personally witnessed about the debacle was two African American women yelling at each other. I recognized one of the women with very short hair, but I didn't recognize the other woman that was wearing a red shirt. Luckily, we often have a police officer on duty who is only yards away from the circ desk. Before anything could get too out of hand, the cop was making a beeline for the cat fight that was about to ensue. Immediately, the cop told the woman with the short hair (who had caused problems at work before) that she was banned from the library and that the other woman in the red shirt was banned too.


The lady with the short hair didn't put up much of a fight and muttered that she had to get her kids first before she left. The lady with the red shirt, however, threw a fit at the officer.


"Why can't I come back!?!? It's not my fault! She started everything!" She shrieked. I know the officer that was talking to both women and knew that he didn't put up with any b.s., so if this woman wanted to rumble-she was messing with the wrong cop.


"Ma'am, this is not Jerry Springer. We do not put up with this sort of crap here. I recognize you. We've had trouble with you before. I want to talk to you outside so you won't disrupt anymore of the patrons." The cop talked to the woman as if she was a frightened child. I knew he had handled instances like this often, so I wasn't surprised by his tone at all. Not to mention that this lady was starting to remind me of a side character from "Jersey Shore", combined with a dating contestant from "Flavor of Love".


I was wondering if this was going to be a smack down or a put down. Usually, I witness one of two things happening when a cop at work gets involved in a scuffle. Either


1) The person backs down and basically plays possum and lets the cop escort them out=Put down.


2) The person feels the need to defend their honor and starts to stupidly argue with the cop=Smack down
"She's the one who smacked my computer! She started it, I'm just the one who she decided to pick on. I'm innocent! It was her not me!" The woman in the red shirt professed, while crying and pleading to the officer.


Oh, no. I have a feeling this is going to be a smack down. I don't know what to do when this sort of thing happens. I automatically go into "watch this like a train wreck despite wanting to look away" zone. The cop, meanwhile, knows what to do. He escorts the woman out of the building, while she is practically kicking and screaming that none of this is her fault.


Later, a woman working the reference desk received a call from the lady in the red shirt. Apparently, she was not a happy camper, and took it out on an innocent bystander. I really don't get why people complain to the wrong person. Wouldn't you want to bitch out the person that kicked you out in the first place and not a random innocent?


On the same night I was just coming back from break when I heard that a fight had happened outside the library. At first, I thought for sure it was the two women, but I was wrong. Apparently, two guys (which I later found out were cousins) were beating the absolute crap out of each other. So much so, that there was a lot of blood and a street observer was the one to get the officer on duty at work. Later on, the officer had to clean the blood off his handcuffs because things got that serious.


Yep, just another day at the lame ol' library. Nothing crazy ever happens here. Nope.


Sincerely,
Your Non-Stereotypical Librarian

My first very bitter post

When a man asks what my occupation is, I always hesitate. It's because I know that they will react one of two ways: The first reaction, which is not the most popular reaction, is their face scrunches up while they look rather disgusted, “Why do you work at a library?” they’ll say. Or when I tell them that the library I work at is fairly busy daily they say, “How could a library be busy?” I forget that some people don't take advantage of their public library on a daily basis. It makes me sad that they know how amazing libraries can be.

The second reaction, which is the one I most often receive, is the man raising both of his eyebrows and smiling while  asking, “Oh so you’re a librarian?” I suppose it’s a natural association for most men. Most librarians are thought of as sexually repressed women who have grown tired of being proper and need to “let their hair down”. I know why men think this way; there are too many pornographic movies that show female librarians as hot, large breasted women. It’s very misleading. I find it funny that a library could be thought of as sexy, or a place that contains throngs of sexually repressed female librarians.

I have worked in the same county for almost six and a half years now, and from my personal experience I know that libraries can be one of the most disgusting and dustiest places possibly in the whole world.  Libraries in general, are a germophobs nightmare.  Imagine how many books have been sneezed on, coughed on, not to mention possibly peed or puked on. Believe it or not, I have had books/items like this come across the circulation desk too many times.

 Think about how many men use the library for their “other needs”.  I can’t tell you how many times I have caught a man getting his jollies at one of the library computers. There’s a couple of tell tale signs that there’s a man peeping at porn. 1) The computer screen is tilted at an angle towards him. 2) They keep looking around their surroundings before they glue their eyes back to their screen. 3) Also the most obvious sign, a man having his hand on or down the front of his pants.

 I first started to work at the library when I was 16, I thought it would be a simple and peaceful job in which I would love and never want to leave. While I do love my job (for the most part), it has never been quiet or easy. I work at a rather atypical library, or at least it seems abnormal when I compare it to the quiet and calm atmosphere of any of the other libraries I have been to. When I say the library is atypical, I mean that a lot of freaky things happen here.

My First Patron Story: The Tale of Deodorant Boy

I was on the phone with a patron when I saw a guy blatantly lurking at me while he was leaning over the checkout counter. He looked around my age, but I could still tell that he was in high school and had no idea I was in my early twenties (A thing you should know about me is that I still get mistaken for a high schooler because I apparently have a baby face). I could not talk to him while I was on the phone so he began to become antsy and looked through the backpack he was carrying.

When he took a deodorant stick out of his bag I thought nothing of it. Then Deodorant Boy started to put the deodorant on, right in front of me. I’m not sure if I expressed my revulsion, but he winked at me before he parted the circ desk. Deodorant Boy left me completely confused, and him smelling piney fresh. It was one of those moments in my job that I cannot tell what I’m more disgusted by, the fact that he thought it was okay, or the fact that this isn't the weirdest occurrence I've seen at my job.

I have so many stories to tell everyone because I am a librarian. However the most honest story I have to tell, being a librarian isn’t sexy. Even though I own a pair of black framed glasses and put my hair up in a bun occasionally, I’m never going to strip tease to a “bow chicka wow wow” song on the circ desk.

Sincerely,Your Non-Stereotypical Librarian