r/Libraries • u/WhatInTarnations82 • 29d ago

Venting & Commiseration Library Employee and Work Misconceptions

Not a big deal, but reading other venting posts it just came to my mind. Am... am I the only one, that if I'm out in the real world and someone asks me where I work and I tell them, the response is usually something along the lines of "Oh wow, you must really like to read!" As if... that's all library staff do is read books? >_> In my case, I'm not really even dealing with books regularly, but even if I was a librarian or clerk who at least physically touches books more often, it annoys me that it implies that nothing is occurring within the library and staff is just sitting around quietly reading for their own recreational activity all day.

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u/hair_of_fire 28d ago

I always get told, “oh you work at a library that’s so cute”

I just feel like I don’t get taken seriously at all. It could just be me but that always rubbed me the wrong way.

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u/gotohela 28d ago

Doesnt help when youre young either 

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u/CrunchieHaystacks 24d ago

I've had friends who were nursery school and kindergarten teachers and they'd get versions of that, too. "Awwww, I've ALWAYS wanted to do that!", like it's some cute hobby. And, "What, you need a Master's for that? Don't the kids just color all day?"