Librarian's Shared All The Things That She Has Learnt Over The Years And It Is Lovely

There is a reason people think that librarians are so wise.

Sophia

Published in Funny
23 Jun 2021

Librarian's Shared All The Things That She Has Learnt Over The Years And It Is Lovely

Libraries are some of the coolest places in the world; sadly, they seem to be in decline due to funding cuts. However, some of my fondest memories come from spending time in libraries—the places where there are endless free books, and the people who work in them are endlessly full of knowledge.

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This thread is full of wisdom; some of it is hilarious, some of it is a little alarming, and some of it will change the way you think. Read on to discover some of the things this librarian has learnt in the place where all of the best knowledge is shared: the library.

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The thread begins...

(In fairness, spellcheck has helped me out with "library" more than a couple of times.)

Things I have learned about the general public whilst working at the library:

1. A huge number of people under 20 can't read face clocks, having grown up with only digital one.
2. Many people don't know how to spell "library." It's in our email address. This causes problems
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

Number 4 has just blown my mind.

3. A disturbing number of young people don't actually know how book-lending at the library works. They assume it costs money! Teach your children about libraries!
4. Crime and thriller are basically the same thing in many cases. In fact, we have doubles of books because of that.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

Number 6 is so funny.

5. People use hidden codes like asterisks to mark which books they've read. Please don't do that! The system will let you know if you've already borrowed something! Just ask.
6. If an automatic door breaks, people will walk into it instead of reading the sign at face height.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

Libraries are pillars of our communities.

7. Libraries are a godsend for blind and deaf people and not just for audiobooks. They can come for help with filling out forms and getting directions.
8. Some elderly people go through books at a TERRIFYING rate. They are to be feared and respected.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

Being technology-averse is hard.

9. Some people are so afraid of computers that they will come to you with a query and then become upset if you offer to look it up on the computer instead of in a book.
10. Some people have never, ever used a telephone. Especially older women. Their husband did it for them.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

#SaveOurLibraries

11. The DWP fuck over everyone but especially the most vulnerable and I haven't met a single library worker who hasn't helped struggling library users with food or phone calls or even a cup of tea when it's cold and they can't afford heating.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

Wtf?

12. The Jobcentre regularly lie to people and like to tell them they can get services at libraries that simply do not exist. We will try our very best to help you get what you should have been given at the Jobcentre.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

Library folk are the BEST.

13. Most banks assume that everyone has an email now. In fact, some people have trouble proving that they exist at all without one.
14. Library folk are good folk. We do this because we are passionate about it. We have to be.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

There are so many important events that happen at libraries!

15. Libraries aren't quiet anymore. They're community hubs now. They may have quiet study areas but most libraries are bustling with activity. Between kids' classes, singing and memory groups for those with Dementia, craft sessions and noisy office equipment, don't expect silence
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

They are the ONLY place where you can exist without having to spend money.

16. Libraries remain the only place where you can spend hours in a publicly-accessible building without being expected to spend money. Parents come to entertain their children for free on wet days. People in poverty come for a warm place to sit. Libraries are a haven.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

This is nice.

17. Some people will go their entire lives only reading 2-3 authors but still have enough material to read a book every month. (See also: Danielle Steel, James Patterson, Clive Cussler, etc.)
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

Shout out to front desk staff!

18. A library lives and dies by the staff on the counter. You can have the best funding, all of the books and tech in the world but you'll only get footfall if your staff go above and beyond. Sometimes even that doesn't work, though and it's frustrating.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

Please visit your local library!

19. We're funded based on footfall. I've seen staff cry because we lost a youth group to a private hall that has fancier facilities like a cafe. We need all the footfall we can get.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

The world needs libraries!

20. Staff are hitting their heads against walls volunteering to create events, classes and groups only to have them shot down because local councils don't understand social media or want to charge for it. I can't overemphasise just how much unpaid work staff do.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

Why are the most needed services always the most underfunded?

21. Most of the facilities are only working because staff pay out of pocket to get things working. My manager bought a new laminator when we couldn't afford one. She buys in colouring materials for kids. We sometimes bring in our own stationery. We even but lightbulbs in.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

These are so messed up.

22. Authors don't like to visit little libraries because they don't get paid. Bookstores often pay.
23. The "sexy librarian" trope has actually done a LOT of harm and has caused countless incidences of sexual assault by men who can't tell the difference between porn and reality.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

Old ladies are fantastic.

24. Old ladies keep libraries in business. Old ladies who read are the best. Old ladies who can tell you exactly which page features the most gruesome murder scene are the very best.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

This is so cute.

25. Library staff ALWAYS want to know what you thought of the book. We want to know what to recommend to others!
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

Everyone has favorites...

I also love the autistic kids with special interests. I will crawl over hot coals to get you a book about the specific type of train you are interested in, tiny child. I will listen to you tell me about it in great detail. I will try to remember for the next time you come in.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

THIS IS SO CUTE!

27. The single best moment, for me, is when a library user graduates from Young Adult to Adult and suddenly the entire library is open to them! They can read anything! No more tiny teen section! All of the classics! Sci fi! Horror!

They often get overwhelmed.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

The world needs libraries just like librarians need caffeine.

28. And finally, because I've spammed you long enough and because my typos are mounting up, remember this:

Library staff can overcome many challenges but Book Gods help you if you deprive us of caffeine. You don't want to see what happens then.
— Allie the Gorgon 🎃 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019

Doesn't this make you want to pop on down to your local library immediately?!

Share your thoughts in the comments!

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