Ok, I know I have shared tales from the library in the past but can't remember how many, so I'll just start with "part 3" and work my way up.
As I have also stated in the past, the library is NOT the quiet place that people seem to think it is. And yesterday....proved it!!!!!
I arrived at 9 yesterday morning, mentally prepared for a quiet day (storms and rain were moving in). Alas, the "quiet" did not last long. A HUGE storm came through about 9:30 (our rain guage said we got 2 1/2")...anyway - one of the ladies working in the children's department (which is in the basement level of the library [you know where I'm going with this, don't you?]) comes running through the back offices "It's flooding!" You have never seem people move as fast as those words will make library employees move. So I go running out there and water is literally pouring in through the a/c units.
As I have also stated in the past, the library is NOT the quiet place that people seem to think it is. And yesterday....proved it!!!!!
I arrived at 9 yesterday morning, mentally prepared for a quiet day (storms and rain were moving in). Alas, the "quiet" did not last long. A HUGE storm came through about 9:30 (our rain guage said we got 2 1/2")...anyway - one of the ladies working in the children's department (which is in the basement level of the library [you know where I'm going with this, don't you?]) comes running through the back offices "It's flooding!" You have never seem people move as fast as those words will make library employees move. So I go running out there and water is literally pouring in through the a/c units.
O-M-G!!!!!!
So I wade in to start unplugging computers (I know, mom, I know - but someone had to!). The maintenance guy comes and gets the valves of the a/c to the outside shut off to stop the water. You learn VERY quickly which way the slope of the floor is when there's about 1/2" of water on top of the carpet. So we're pulling furniture, computers and bookshelves away from the walls as fast as we can; finding mops, towels and shop vac. I call my WONDEFUL husband who brings his shop vac and we are sucking up water for an hour until the carpet people show up. It was a wonderful way to START the day.
(It is only going to get better, right?! HA!!!!)
I take my lunch break and come back for my afternoon shift at the desk. It starts with an upset patron who has a HUGE fine that has been turned over to collection and he found out about when they went to buy a car (there is A LOT more detail that goes with this, but I'm not mentally ready to relive it all again). Yikes... So - he kindly pays his fine, I give him his receipt and he's on his way. WHEW!
There is a very steady stream of patrons all afternoon. At one point, a gentleman comes in and right behind him comes another, screaming and cussing at the 1st guy because he pulled into the spot that guy 2 wanted. Ahhhh...hello? So (in my mom voice) I say "Gentlemen! This is the library and we don't behave like this here." The two of them and about 10 other patrons turned to look at me. Not another word was said in my earshot. How old are we?
Then another patron wanted a book from the storage area on the third floor, so I go up to get it for her. Well...there is a new gate in front of the stairs that go to the third floor. I get the book, come back down and punch in the combo to get out. Nope! Reset, try combo again. Nah uh! Reset, combo again. Nothing doing! The patron looks up from the desk, sees me and says "Uh oh." (insert superhero music here) Our reference library comes to save me. After three tries on her side of the gate, she finally gets it open. Whew!
I was very ready for some alcohol by the time I got home yesterday. Makes me thankful I don't have to be there today! :)
(It is only going to get better, right?! HA!!!!)
I take my lunch break and come back for my afternoon shift at the desk. It starts with an upset patron who has a HUGE fine that has been turned over to collection and he found out about when they went to buy a car (there is A LOT more detail that goes with this, but I'm not mentally ready to relive it all again). Yikes... So - he kindly pays his fine, I give him his receipt and he's on his way. WHEW!
There is a very steady stream of patrons all afternoon. At one point, a gentleman comes in and right behind him comes another, screaming and cussing at the 1st guy because he pulled into the spot that guy 2 wanted. Ahhhh...hello? So (in my mom voice) I say "Gentlemen! This is the library and we don't behave like this here." The two of them and about 10 other patrons turned to look at me. Not another word was said in my earshot. How old are we?
Then another patron wanted a book from the storage area on the third floor, so I go up to get it for her. Well...there is a new gate in front of the stairs that go to the third floor. I get the book, come back down and punch in the combo to get out. Nope! Reset, try combo again. Nah uh! Reset, combo again. Nothing doing! The patron looks up from the desk, sees me and says "Uh oh." (insert superhero music here) Our reference library comes to save me. After three tries on her side of the gate, she finally gets it open. Whew!
I was very ready for some alcohol by the time I got home yesterday. Makes me thankful I don't have to be there today! :)
Too bad you didn't have time to photograph the water gushing in through the a/c! Wowzers! Good thing you all work so well as a team at the library or the poor librarian in the basement would've drown and you'd still be stuck on the other side of the gate. What a day!
ReplyDeletemom
Ah yes, I remember it well. I was a librarian for over 26 years. I know your stories in my gut!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you got trapped -- remember that line from Indiana Jones about Marcus getting lost in his own museum? - yeah that's kind of what I'm thinking.
ReplyDeleteGoodness gracious - the flooding would be craziness!
I had no idea the library was such a vibrant hub of LOUD and WET activity!!!!!!
ReplyDelete*and LOL ... my word verification? dicuts"
This made me laugh a lot. Thanks!!!
ReplyDelete