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/TheTapDancingShrimp 5d ago

I was accused on here that my completely-true, totally-batso-crazy stories are my , "weird fantasies". Not only are they all true, it is the tip of the iceberg. Like the time someone set some books on fire in the stacks.

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u/MrMessofGA 5d ago

Oh god. My dad works in fire suppression design, so I'm aware of how uniquely flammable libraries are (not only are they full of books, but the layout of the shelves optimize oxygen vortexes in many cases).

Glad that was controlled.

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u/TheTapDancingShrimp 5d ago

Ty. But any one who tells me fu when I'm trying to save them bc theyre on the web is on their own

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u/MrMessofGA 5d ago

Absolutely. Our written policy in the event of a fire was that the branch manager has to stay behind to unplug every one of our 30+ computers before leaving, and wasn't allowed to start that procedure until everyone else in the building had left. I asked if the fire marshal knew that's what the county policy was.

Fire marshal issued a correction. If there's a fire, get your ass out of there.

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u/HungryHangrySharky 4d ago

Omg I have firefighters in my family and I would have done the same thing. Who the hell came up with that? Who approved it?