To sit in dusty corners,
Surrounded by those spines
In rainbow shades with hidden worlds
That I could share with forming minds
To pass on life
That’s wider than we ever thought.
I was in the school library with a class today and the library assistant told me that she was leaving at Easter. She’s going on to a job in publishing and I’m so excited for her because that’s a job that every English lover longs to have.
However the chat very quickly turned to interviews and finding a replacement and I piped up that I’d jack in the teaching to be up in the library.
The librarian said that I would be more than welcome to come and join her, and although I was only joking, there was a millisecond where I actually considered doing it.
I know that in my head, I’m glamourising the job, and actually it’s probably just as stressful as the teaching, but I just had visions of myself reclining behind the desk, reading hundreds of YA books that I could recommend to children who are eager to devour books.
In reality, that’s a load of crap. I’ve been in the library when there have been kids literally kicking a rugby ball around (I mean, give me strength). I know that most of the librarian’s time is spent shouting at kids who don’t know how to behave in a library, but a girl can have her dreams, can’t she?
I’ll allow myself to look at the application form and live in my fantasy world for five minutes or so, and then I’ll get back to planning my lessons. I promise.
Much Love
Rachel xx
Margot Kinberg
I’ve often thought of getting my library credentials and working in a library, Rachel. What lovely places they are! And what a treat to be able to hlep people feed a love of books! As you say, the job is probably nothing like it seems on the surface (Really? A rugby ball?!). But it is a lovely fantasy…
patientandkindlove
I turn into one of those embarrassed parents who hisses warnings at their children when I’m in the library with these students. I can’t really blame them though, as their parents have never taken them to one so they’ve never had the correct behaviour modeled for them.
clcouch123
Yes, a girl can dream. I’ve been a fan of the YA section since I was a YA and of libraries, generally. I’m not a traditionalist about everything, but I could wish for the practice of quiet in the library to have followed through.
patientandkindlove
The fact that some kids think it’s acceptable to play rugby in the library astounds me. They have no idea how to behave in so many situations and I do wonder what their parents do with them.
Vic Crain
Actually, I think of librarians as having a very high calling
patientandkindlove
Librarians and booksellers have such important and beautiful jobs. Their knowledge is so useful.