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
