Who Needs to Make a Living?

There is a sense as a library worker that you're involved in a job that is out of the ordinary because it is a job with a higher purpose. Free public libraries are a cornerstone of American democracy. They are a living symbol of the best qualities of civilization.

Yeah, ok. Meanwhile, do I need to go on food stamps?

Don't get me wrong. I love libraries. Have all my life. At times, they have been a refuge and a safety zone. Somewhere I could go that was free, comfortable and safe.

For instance, I moved to New York City when I was first married. It wasn't exactly my idea but i couldn't come up with a better one. The city scared me and I could hardly step outside. My husband went off to his new waiter job and I remember laying in bed thinking there had to some way to get myself up and out.

A vision of the lions outside the New York Public Library building came into my mind. The Library! There had to branches. I looked it up in the phone book, which got me out of bed, and there was, less than a block away, and that got me out of the apartment.

But now, having worked for a library system for all these years, and having struggled financially every step of the way, I kind of resent the attitude that the institution is more important than the people who are part of it.

But maybe it is. On the one hand it's only library work, not the cure for any kind of cancer. On the other hand, maybe the researcher who does, got her love of knowledge from early storytimes

I probably shouldn't have got myself caught up in the whole library mystique. It is very good to be proud of the job, for all the silly stereotypes about libraries and the people who work in them. I am also proud of myself for doing a good job and of the branch where I work. But I would be even prouder if I could get my teeth and car fixed -- I need 2 implants, new air-conditioning, working windows and an oil change. The last thing I'm planning on doing at the next pay period, trusting that the yellow light won't change to red until then!