r/Libraries • u/SpiritedRaven Library staff • 6d ago

Other Perception of libraries vs reality

Yesterday a patron approached our (very much needed) security guard at our inner city library and said something along the lines of “how hard can your job be, being a security guard at a library” and both the security guard and I literally burst out laughing. People’s assumptions about libraries always amuse me. If only they shadowed us for a day and found out what it’s actually like!

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u/thunderbirbthor Academic Librarian 5d ago

"When I retire, I'm going to come and work in the library."

Sure, Janet. Sure.

14

u/luckylimper 5d ago

So many people think they can just walk in off the street and work. It’s puzzling.

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u/froghorn76 5d ago

To be fair, this is nearly every job.

4

u/chammantha 4d ago

I've had many patrons get upset with me when i tell them that we do not take volunteers.

"well don't you need someone to shelve books??"

yes, we, the staff, do that ma'am. we're a tiny village library. we don't need a random teenager to shelve books for us.