On dreaming of being a librarian

Being a librarian has always seemed glamorous to me, but it’s a job I’ve never held. I’ve done plenty of things and had some fascinating jobs, but so far, I haven’t had a book related job. And maybe it’s about time I did.

My first librarian dreams started when I was in first or second grade. With a friend, I started a home library and made library cards for some of our friends (and all my siblings) to check out books from my bookshelf of children’s books. Within a couple days, I lost interest (since my siblings kept taking books instead of officially checking them out) and moved on.

Later, in high school, I realized too late that working at the library was an option. I already had a solid job running errands for a law firm, but every time I went to the library, I’d see a girl from my high school pushing carts around and shelving books. I was insanely jealous whenever she’d wave and continue working and I cursed myself for having a steady (and probably better paying) job.

It’s been years and I’m now a college graduate with a real grown-up job, so I’d mostly forgotten about my librarian dreams. Until my sister changed jobs, that is. In need of more cash, she took on the library as a second after-school job. After an initial bout of insane jealousy, I talked with her more about her job and learned that there’s a lot more to being a librarian than reading all day and suggesting books to people (she’s just a library page, so her view is somewhat tainted, but I trust her that it’s not all fun and words). A lot of her job involves pushing heavy carts of books up the steep ramps and reshelving books until her eyes hurt from looking at covers and organizing books that had just been returned. It’s a lot more heavy lifting and a lot less fun reading.

Still, in spite of this, I entertain hopes of one day working in a library, no matter how menial the tasks. If a real paying job at a library doesn’t work out, perhaps I can start my own Little Free Library and be the head librarian for that. Either way, I’ll finally achieve my dream of being a real librarian.

On why I love/hate #AskALibrarian

If you haven’t heard about #AskaLibrarian yet, you need to check it out. Every Thursday from noon to 1pm EST, you can tweet out what sort of books you’re interested in and librarians from around the country will suggest books to you. I’ve been monitoring it for several weeks are here are my pros and cons:

Pros

-I have discovered so many interesting and strange books - not from asking for recommendations myself, but from stalking everyone else’s requests.

-It’s very convenient if you need a book recommendation and you plan on buying the book - especially if you’re looking to gift a book to someone. Lots of parents tweet looking for books for their children.

-It starts a conversation about books and reading and gives people a chance to share what they love, what they don’t, which books everyone must read, which books must be devoured immediately, etc

-It allow people to be very specific about what sort of books they like - for example, one tweet asks for “physically small/slim book, not terribly depressing or difficult to read, male protagonist. Ideas?” (@librarianbug), and another asks for “Any books with a focus on tea (rituals, ceremonies, history, et al)? Fiction or non-, Please and thank you!” (@vein_of_silver). AND PEOPLE RESPOND TO THESE AND HAVE THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THESE TYPES OF BOOKS. It’s wonderful and much easier than trying to Google books within a very specific genre and about a certain topic.

-It makes me remember all the books I’ve read and then I want to throw them at everyone I know (or even people I don’t know - like the people on Twitter)

-That being said, it also gives me a chance to connect with people on the internet about excellent books, which is always fun and wonderful.

-It glamorizes being a librarian (which is something I’ve always wanted to be) and makes the job seem like it’s all reading and fun (and none of it is boring paperwork or pushing heavy carts of books up steep ramps or anything like that).

-It promotes reading and makes it look trendy and cool (which it is).

-It makes the world a happier and better place - because what’s better than being really excited to read a book and finally getting a copy of that book and loving it just as much as you hoped you would?!? NOTHING

Cons

-It makes my TBR list faaaar too long because every recommended book sounds absolutely amazing when suggested by someone who loves it.