It has been a fantastic
week, thus far, in Libraryland!
Last winter I secured some
study materials for an individual who was taking a Civil Service exam to advance
in their employment. Unfortunately, these test materials are not always easy to
come by. While lots of libraries buy
copies, the fact is they are frequently not returned. Thankfully, I was able to get my hands on
what this individual needed. Over the
winter I saw this person once while they were salting a sidewalk. Stopping my car I shouted out my window “Are
you studying?” Yes, they had been. The exam was taken and the waiting
begun. Earlier this Spring I saw the
person again. “Any word yet?” Nope.
The results might not be in until June.
Time marched on.
Tuesday I had a
visitor. It was a very happy patron. They had passed their exam and had come in to
thank me with a beautiful card and gift.
Oh my goodness, what a great
feeling it is to know that you have made a difference.
My first public library
experience was at the Fort Plain Free Library when every Friday night our
family would “go to town”. My parents
would drop me off on the corner of Willet and River Streets as they headed off
to do the grocery shopping at the Red and White. The library director, Miss Charlotte
Wetterau, ran a tight ship. The library
was always quiet and we spoke in low, reverent tones as befitting her expected
solemnity of the place.
What a treat it was to
explore among the stacks, pulling off a book here and there, reading the dust
jacket and wondering if it were a “keeper” for the week. Once my selections were finalized I would
take them to the front desk for check out which was no cut dried affair. As Miss Wetterau carefully wrote my name on
each card and stamped the date due we would enjoy some conversation. We’d talk about the weather, the books I had
brought back, the books I was taking out, and what was going on in town.
Each and every visit
required me to take ownership of my responsibility in borrowing materials,
articulate my thoughts, speak up with confidence, and look Miss Wetterau in the
eye when talking with her while all the time being polite, patient, and
respectful. Those kinds of social
interactions help a child develop their communication and related interpersonal
skills.
Yesterday, as one of my
pals sat quietly looking at a book, I approached the table and inquired if I
might ask him a question. Looking at me,
he very calmly replied “Yes, Dawn.”, and we chatted on from there. It was not just a matter of my questions and
his answers, rather it was conversation.
Heading out with a backpack full of books, I look forward to the family’s
return. In the meantime, somewhere in my
spare room, is a Millennium Falcon.
Once I dig it out, it will find a new home with this Star Wars fan!
Finally, today I received
some fantastic news. A young lady who
volunteered here several years ago has returned to school to get her Master’s
Degree in Library Science! Her mom wanted to thank Marta and I for
inspiring herJ
I arrived among the stacks
June 1, 1977. It is weeks like this that
remind me why, after all these years, I continue to enjoy my work.
