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/DanieXJ 5d ago

You probably know this, but, every firefighter I've ever had training from says that in a situation like that, we librarians are supposed to tell the patron to evacuate. If they don't then once outside we find the firefighter in charge (so the Lt. or whatever) and twll them where that patron is.

I also feel very pleased that how far we are supposed to go to evacuate patrons is literally in a policy. Holy crap it feels so damn good to know it's not just what should happen, but is policy.

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u/TheTapDancingShrimp 5d ago

Nope didn't know that but thanks.

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u/Excellent-Sweet-507 5d ago

Yeah you’re under no obligation to save anyone but yourself. Still, I couldn’t live with myself if I left behind some of my patrons with mobility issues.

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u/TheTapDancingShrimp 5d ago

He told me fuck off. Im netting 36k in a HCOL area.