Daily Scheduling 101

How in the hell did my manager become a "manager" in the first place?!?
There are 7 people working in the Circ side when we opened up this Monday morning. It was just myself and one coworker on the circ desk the first hour. Why in the world did we also have the phones out there as well when there were 5, FIVE, people in the backroom??? Not only did my coworker and I have to deal with overnight bookdrop, and assisting people at the Circ desk, but to also handle the phone calls coming into the branch was too much.

Gotta Love Working the Phones

Since I had the phones last from yesterday, they were still transferring to my phone this morning. So at 9:59 as I was about to head to the Circ desk my phone rings:



Me: Good morning, so-and-so Library, how may I help you?

Lady: (chuckles) Well I was expecting to get a female like most other times.

Me: (laughs along with her, thinking to myself I really need to stop procrastinating and write about the Library being a "Woman's World.")

Lady: Now that I think about it, I'm glad I reached a guy.

Me: Sure, I'd be glad to help you.

Lady: (chuckles) Alright well, when you have a female cat and you "get it done" its called "spaying" right?

Me: Yes ma'am.

Lady: Well, what is it called when you do it to a male pet? You know, neuter a dog, when you chop off its nuts.

Me: You're correct, its called "neutering."

Lady: Are you sure?

Me: Yes ma'am I am sure.

Lady: (chuckles) Great! Thanks a lot.

hangs up...



I guess its better than the phone call I received from an elderly lady who requested a female coworker to speak with. I transferred it over to my friend, who later comes back to my cubicle to tell me the caller was looking for books about puberty for her granddaughter. Better my coworker to handle that particular call than me.

Why Is It

the one Sunday shift I cover has a door count of 75 after 3 minutes of being open. "A new record" is what the Sunday Circ manager tells me. Another reason why I didn't "volunteer" to take over a vacant Sunday shift is what I call it.

You Are What You Eat.

There's currently a County wide health competition going on between all the different agencies. Much like the episode of "The Office" where all of the Dundler Mifflin offices see which can lose the most weight. I was asked to join our branch's team. And I totally would have, honestly(!), even for the free t-shirt and pedometer, but I would not have enough time to devote to it. Plus I'm a self proclaimed fat ass and I would be the weakest link.
But I'm not sure how "our team" expects to win when you walk into the break room every day and find these goodies sitting there calling your name.

How to Survive Meetings Tip #25

Using an amusing writing utensil preferably with moving parts or lights can keep you and your coworkers entertained. The feather waves really made the pen worth it while I was taking notes (aka doodling).

Lost and wtF...

You would not believe what people leave behind here. From high security ID badges to whole sets of keys. I'm not sure how so many people can forget their keys, I'm also not just talking about those that use their key chain card, walk out to their car, and then come back inside looking for them. There was a set of house/car keys sitting in the L&F for a good month. The funniest thing about it was the single condom holder attached to the keyring.
Today someone "left" a stroller and blanket in the parking lot. Some parent is really absent minded or some kid got in really big trouble and was forced to walk home. Either way, this thing has been in my way all day and is about to find itself on Craigslist...

Suck Times Infinity...

So the County is strapped for cash, where else to look for loose change but the pockets of the patrons? July 1st ushered a new era of sucking: new fees, new rules, and new hours. Yup seems like everything is new except the bacteria infested public keyboards are still the same, except now they're a little bit more grimier! We are now charging to look up accounts for those who do not have their library card with them. "Adding value to the library" card is what they're calling it. I call it another reason for patrons to argue with us. Of course my first two look up fees are for two elderly ladies. I seriously would have conveniently "forgotten" about the newly enacted fees, but a manager was working the desk near me and were watching. So my sincerest apologies to those two ladies, I really would have looked out for you.

Black Sunday

Last Sunday was a sad day across the County as all of the Sunday staff only got the boot. I think the number of library employees that have gotten the shaft is in excesss of 500+. The Circ side was cool, they are all in my generation. The library system needs some young blood. To all the library staff that have lost their positions, you will be sorely missed (pours out some liquor).