More work

When we went to library school we became (hopefully) excited about entering a profession that combined service to the public, an opportunity to dabble in the arts and literature, and the chance to bring new technologies and services to the library world (ie. the Infotract and an on line catalog) The concept of service made our fingers tinkle with excitement. The thought that we might get to use computers in our jobs. How exciting!

The future librarian is interviewed (and interviewed and interviewed) and is brimming with the thought of what the new profession means. Finally (often years after graduating from library school), he/she gets that first position. The staff is happy to see a new face. "Finally someone to work on the number two Saturday." "Thank goodness I can go back to working one night a week."

As the years progress and the librarian becomes older, wiser, and accumulates more sick leave that initial enthusiasm wanes. The cute puppy is now an older dog that takes worm pills and is grouchy in the morning.

Now the experienced librarian is at a meeting where the director is happy and excited. (that is usually not a good sign)

The director wants to change a service or put in a new service.

The eyes drop. Oh NO!!!! And what happens when someone calls in sick? And what happens when someone goes on vacation? The eyes tell the tale. What is being proposed could conceivably result in more work.

Oh NO!!!! More WORK!!!!

And the people excited and smiling about the new project won’t have to do the extra work. I WILL!!!!!

It happens to us all. Our boss, the Director, even the Library Board went to a meeting or saw a tv show that suggested something new that might conceivably mean MORE WORK!!!
And we could think of nothing but service and the thrill it would provide so many years ago…..