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The library, the children, and the librarian who loves to hate them.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 Leave a Comment

Dear Children's Librarian,


Hi, how are you? I didn't get a chance to ask when I saw you today because you were busy yelling at that kid over by the computers. You know, the one who was on the phone. Talking quietly to his dad. About the project he was working on at the library. Good thing you nabbed him. Just in time, too, before he was able to ask for a ride home or anything like that.

So I have to ask. What the f*&%? I mean, I can barely believe that kids in this town are still reading, let alone coming to the library, because you seem to be yelling at one child or another every time I visit the place. I once saw you thoroughly berate two boys who had waited too long to come in and look for books for a book report. You were merciless! Scathing, even! Judge Judy would have been proud. Except that while she may be abrasive, Judge Judy at least seems reasonable. And I bet she likes children. And hates people who for no good reason choose to yell at and dominate them. So...never mind about her. Nice going, though.


But please. Help me to understand. What is the source of your animosity? You knew going in that being a Children's Librarian would entail working with children, correct? I'm assuming that did not come as a surprise to you. I mean, it's in the name: CHILDREN'S Librarian. And presumably YOU can read, despite your best efforts to thwart literacy among 5-12 year-olds in our town. Do you just not like kids? And if so, did that fact not dawn on you until the day after graduation???

Okay. In fairness, it's not just you. I have heard similar stories from friends in nearby towns. And come to think of it, even the librarian at the library where my sister and I used to go was scary and brooding and old. I can still see her stern face and disapproving glances and the half-moon glasses that never moved from the tip of her nose but still hung from a chain around her neck. (This is the same librarian who would later take my mother aside and tell her that Judy Blume's "Forever" was absolutely not appropriate reading material for nice fifth-grade girls. Evil witch.) Perhaps there is some sort of coven made up of children's librarians???

But honestly. Instead of scaring the bejeezus out of kids, can't we please try to encourage kids to like the library? It's one of the last free things that kids can do and enjoy. Plus, it's educational. These kids are at the LIBRARY! Most are even there willingly! Shouldn't we be congratulating them for wanting to read? Finding ways to reward them for coming? Can we offer door prizes? Something?

I want my kids to continue to enjoy the library. Our library in particular is beautiful and clean and new and full of possibility. I want to enjoy going there. Right now, going there stresses ME out and I'm pretty sure I handed in all my book reports on time ages ago. So please: go home, watch Mary Poppins, meditate, try a little happy juice if things come to things...and if all else fails, beg the nice librarian in the adult reading room to switch gigs with you from 3-5pm weekdays. Whatever it takes. Just wake up tomorrow, look yourself in the mirror and say "Today I am not going to make some poor unsuspecting kid hate reading." Come on, now. You can do it.

Here's a happy thought to get you started. The Dewey Decimal System is practically dead! That's got to lighten the mood a little, right?

Thanks, and best regards,
Robyn








 

3 comments »

  • Anonymous said:  

    It is truly amazing to me how mean they are to the kids at the library!! I thought it was just for me and my boys it is good to know she spreads it around!I can't figure out how to post in my name even though I signed up as one of your friends. Let me know what I am doing wrong, Grace

    September 23, 2009 at 5:33 PM
  • RMS said:  

    Fantastic and, sadly, all too true. As a teacher and library student I see this more than I'd like to admit. I've blogged about it pretty extensively myself! So, please, rest assured that there are librarians and future-librarians out there who do love children, tweens, and teens and who want to make the library a safe, warm, and welcoming place for all of them.

    September 24, 2009 at 6:31 PM
  • Anonymous said:  

    honestly. i had one in high school. we called her "the lady with the sideburns". i guess that might have made her hate us though....

    September 28, 2009 at 11:15 AM

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