We’re not staying closed because we’re lazy...
So I’m sure other librarians who have libraries that are partially opened or doing curbside can attest to this: IT IS NOT LESS WORK!
I just had someone come in and ask when we are opening and I gave them our normal spiel. Numbers going up, no idea blah blah blah...
And then I go that “Well I guess it is less work for you.”
Excuse me? LESS? In a few weeks, sometimes days we’ve had to create whole new systems to run libraries. Instead of patrons finding their items, we now have to take all the calls and grab everything before packaging it and getting it to you. We now have more electronic troubleshooting to teach people how to use their devices not just our electronic resources. We’re even learning all new technologies to get programming out at all levels... and don’t even get me started on how horrible people have gotten lately.
We’re helping people navigate COVID life, finding employment, filing unemployment, health insurance, welfare, and often getting other government offices’ responsibilities dumped on us. And we do it pleasantly, because we know how hard it is right now.
We’d RATHER be open. Believe me. This is stressful, but we don’t want our patrons to get sick and we don’t want to get sick either.
Long story short: We’re not closed because we’re lazy. Just because you don’t see things doesn’t mean people aren’t working hard. Don’t be an ass.












