Your Library Connection
 

Library Myths and Misconceptions

There are lots of ways people view the public library…I think some of them relate back to the days when books couldn’t be removed from the library because they were chained to the desks.  So, I exaggerate a little.  The eras of stone tablets, monks copying manuscripts by hand, and chaining books to desks have been replaced. 

There appear to be quite a few myths surrounding libraries and library employees.  These are interesting thoughts for those of us who think we are fairly normal people with normal careers.  So, I’m letting the cat out of the bag…most of these myths are good for a few laughs, but some also may be likely candidates for elevating my blood pressure…

Myth:  The public library is only a warehouse of books.
My favorite comment regarding this myth… when we moved to the new library and I explained to one individual that we were closed for a time in order to get things ready for opening the new facility, the response I received was, “Oh, you have to put all the books in order, don’t you.”  Hmmmm…I was speechless.  What I probably should have said…

We do have more books (40,000) than any other type of media, but we also have computers, audiobooks, DVDs, wireless access, educational and entertaining programs, study rooms, a meeting room, space to read or meet with a group, and the staff to help you find what you need.

Myth:  All you do at work during the day is read.  Or  
Do you do any needlework while you are sitting around?   
Well, we do a few other things… Just stop in at the library sometime and I’ll tell you what I’m working on that day.  It tends to change quite a bit from day to day, but usually has something to do with personnel, planning & budgeting, programming & publicity, public relations & communications, or facility management.  I also dabble in and oversee all other areas.  Others are working on helping patrons, collection development, technology maintenance and troubleshooting, circulation, bills, reference, statistics, outreach, shelving, programming, displays, readers’ advisory, etc.   

Myth:  It must be nice to have a job with no stress.  
I love my job, but to say it is stress free would be quite a stretch.  I think any time you depend on government bodies for funding and have to continually prove the value of your program , have seven bosses, have the need to multitask and meet deadlines, and are working closely with the public it’s difficult not to encounter some stressful projects and situations.  A stressed out public librarian in another Iowa town reveals this quote coming from her husband, “Did they change the alphabet?”

Myth:  Librarians have read every book in the library and know every book in the library.
Some comments almost every librarian has heard,  “I can’t think of the title, but it’s that book with the green cover…”   A person picks an obscure title off the shelf, “Is this a good book?”  We have not read/listened to/viewed every item in the library (gasp!).   It would be very impressive if we had!  We do try to help you if you have a reference question, are looking for a certain item, or do our best to offer suggestions for books that you might like given authors or genres you’ve enjoyed.

So, now that I’m almost done with this article, I’m just going to redo the bun in my hair, connect that chain on my glasses, put on my sensible shoes, and go out to count books and shush people.  J

In case you’re up for a few more funnies, here are a collection of comments heard by public librarians around the state:

“You get paid to do this?  I thought libraries were run by volunteers.”
“How long have you been the owner of the library?”
“It would sure save a lot of money to buy your books at flea markets and garage sales.”
“Am I talking to the head book-counter?”
“What do you do when you are done?”
“Do you sleep on the shelves, or do you go somewhere else?”
“When meeting a library employee at the grocery store or post office, “You’re the library girl, why are you here?”
Phone question: "Do you have a book?" followed by silence.   Me: "Yes, we do. Can you tell me about     
     the book you are looking for?" Patron: "Well, it is red."  Me: "Can you tell me what the book was
     about?"  Patron:  “Dogs.”
“Why is the auto parts store closed?” 
“Do you have any good books?”

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