At the library: Running a relay race

Librarians run!

When I took the job at the library, I envisioned myself working at the desk assisting patrons finding something they'd like to read. I also knew I'd be answering the telephone, finding books in the stacks, and checking books out or in, whichever the case may be. I envisioned the most dignified of jobs, one of lovely quiet and a slow pace.

It never occurred to me this job would be a relay race!

You know, a relay race where you start someplace, or some THING, then run to the next point as fast as you can, handing off the baton, or in this case, a book.

We rush to the next leg of the race, which is to the phone, ringing with patrons having questions about an author, 'what's his name”, or a title, 'starting with ‘The.'” Or they want information about the name of the store that used to be down the street that closed five, or maybe 10, years ago.

The race hurriedly continues as the bookdrops overflow with returns, needing to be checked in and sent off to quarantine, thanks to COVID-19.

The final leg of the race, as we fall into our desk chairs, is to feverishly reply to emails and Gabbie, our new 'text” service and check those phone messages.

Whew! As Jenisa says, 'At least we get our steps in!”

On no, there's the doorbell! Gotta go!

P.S. You should know that the Washington librarians run this relay race every day because we truly love our patrons, counting them as life-long friends.