#library ask

[allsortsoffuckedup]

Should I become a librarian? I am in high school and am trying to figure out what I should do as an adult. I know you are one and wanted to see what you thought.

I personally love being a librarian but it’s not for everyone.

What I’d recommend is asking yourself why this might be a job you’re interested in and what type of librarian you want to be.

I’m a public librarian so can only speak to that perspective but the biggest issue we get with retaining staff in public libraries is unrealistic expectations. There are misconceptions around what public librarians do. A love of books is great but it’s a red flag to me when I interview someone for a library role and that’s their answer when asked why they want the job. It’s been a pretty good predictor for people who find the reality of public library work far less glamorous than the vision they had for the job.

I can honestly say, while my job is great, it’s not “traditional librarianship” in the sense of processing books, shelving, telling people to shush in the library. Public libraries are loud and dynamic and I spend the majority of my customer service time helping (often very frustrated) people navigate technology, dealing with upset people who don’t know where else to go, and managing the behave of or towards rough sleepers or drug addicts or anti-vaxxers. When they say libraries are a space for everyone, that means everyone. Not just the people who are easy to deal with or hold the same opinions as the majority or behave appropriately in public. I enjoy playing a small part in helping some of our more vulnerable patrons gain something they wouldn’t otherwise have access to whether that’s use of their phone or an internet connection or a book in their native language. But it’s not for everyone and that’s ok.

I’m not trying to put your off libraries; it’s a great career path if it’s one you want! Just do some research on what qualifications you need, what types of libraries there are, and have a think about what your strengths are. Are you great with people and have a lot of patience? Public libraries might be a really good option for you!

Hope you find a path that suits you and feel free to ask more questions about public libraries if you think you might still be interested 😊

[good-omens-meta-library]

Hi! Are there any posts that discuss why Zira was so easily persuaded to kill the antichrist? That always seemed odd to me. I mean, it makes sense for him to kill the antichrist and not Crowley, because that would be fatal for Crowley. And Zira should get commendation for it, because after all the antichrist is bad. It’s just remarkable that the first thing he says is “I’ve never killed anyone” and not “I can’t kill anyone”. Which is what I would’ve expected. And it was also a bit surprising that he actually tried to shoot Adam. I don’t think Crowley would’ve done it, if he’d had the weapon.

I submit this as a post, because it seems to be too long for an ask. Thank you very much if you find something! It’s something that I’d like to see the thoughts of other fans of. I’m not a native speaker, so if anything is confusing, let me know and I’ll try to rephrase it.

Note from the library: Above is post submission by @joker1315​. (I have not had questions/requests submitted as posts before - hopefully this editing is acceptable to provide a reply.)

Thank you for your request! This is a wonderful inquiry - going back through the archive, no posts have been added to the library that dealt with this matter as their primary focus (although several previously published posts have touched indirectly on Aziraphale’s (and Crowley’s) attitude towards killing the Antichrist - here, here, and here; in these threads some of the relevant points are hidden in the comments/replies, rather than the original post test).

The next several library posts will be targeted towards this topic, hopefully to satisfaction of your interest! (please feel free to let me know)

[good-omens-meta-library]

This blog is a gift! Thank you greatly for you archiving work, as it is deeply appreciated.

Thank you for the kind compliment, and I appreciate your interest just as much! 

[good-omens-meta-library]

Hi there! I just wanted to say I really love how you incorporate the other responses in these meta posts when you reblog them. I don’t always look in the replies and often the good stuff is in a separate post or sitting there, waiting to be read! So thank you, and thanks for making a lovely, accessible blog!

*jumping for joy* oh thank you so much, I’m so glad you have found utility in my little project! The possibility of highlighting the full breadth of replies to meta posts is what motivates this blog (the other being the prospect of searcheability). I would see branching reblog chains where comments that would work so well together never got to be seen next to each other because of separate reblog “branches”, or wonderful responses that would not get reblogged much, likely because their writers happen to have fewer followers. I have hoped that in structuring the library as I have, I could let all these brilliant replies see more light and play with each other to the full benefit of the thread’s readers =)

[mariethelibrarian]

I was reading The Pickwick Papers, and the library stamp was on a random page of the book, instead of just the beginning, and I've never seen that before, would you know why? (I'm in the UK, and I'm not sure if all systems are the same)

Well, I know for a fact that here in Norway there are no rules as were to stamp your books. I think most libraries stamp them in the front and/or back, but some libraries like to put stamps in the middle of books, just to remind you that you're reading a library book and hopefully that you'll treat it with care! But these are just my theories :)

[mariethelibrarian]

Hi I was wondering if I could get some advice on becoming a librarian? Like what to major in and all that jazz lol!

Hi dear!

Well, I only know how it works in Norway, so I’m afraid I can’t be of much help! I assume you’re from the states by looking at your description and if you are you should check out this link!

Also just googling how to become a librarian in [insert country] should give you some help!

Have fun! Just remember that being a librarian IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST READING BOOKS! And good luck :)

[mariethelibrarian]

I'd really like to be able to write books for a living someday, and/or work in a bookshop. The thing is that I haven't really been to college or university (I'm 20 now) so I'm thinking of taking a 9-week course called Introduction to Creative Writing. Are this kind of classes usually worth it? Is it going to help me improve my writing at all? Also, do you know if it's possible to find a job in a bookshop without a degree? I'm starting volunteer library work in a few days, but can that be enough?

I think taking a course in creative writing is a good way to start! But I'm not a writer, nor have I ever wanted to be one, so I'm not the best one to give advice.

It should be possible to find a job in a bookstore without a degree, I know its here, but having other work experiences, like from another retail store or a grocery store is always a good thing. In my case work experience beats education. Which sort of sucks when/if you don't have it.

Volunteering at a library is a good start, because you'll get a reference contact and some experience with literature and stuff! Also YAY LIBRARY!

However if you want more advice on writing and what to do other than reading and writing and editing and reading and writing and editing and reading and writing and editing, you should possibly talk to chronicintrovert(author of Solitaire, a really wonderful novel) or write-me-jessica or bookmad? I'm sorry I can't help anymore than that! Any other writers out there feel free to help our little friend out :)

[mariethelibrarian]

I saw you asked for anons so...HI! :) You're awesome! I think it's so cool you can be a librarian when they're downsizing in my state (yes I'm US)

HI NONNIE :D Yes I did! Thank you<3

Well, the structure of libraries are changing here as well, but still there are jobs around :) I'm lucky and thankful for the fact that I got my job at the first attempt! BUT LIBRARIANS ARE STILL NEEDED!!! Do not underestimate the importance of librarian and libraries!!