Miriam Madam Librarian anyone?

So in honor of the musical The Music Man, which I recently watched for the 40th time with Bruce, I will post an experience I had at the Champaign Public Library the other day. I heard rumors that a teacher can take a list of topics to the library, and a reference librarian will find books on that topic and pull them off the shelf for you. At any rate, isn't that what librarians are supposed to do, take books off shelves?

I am trying to complete a research project with my 8th graders on natural disasters. Our school doesn't have any books on these topics, so I thought I would find a bunch from the library to bring them. I arrived with my list all ready. The first librarian I talked to said they didn't have enough people working at the library to look up books for me - I would have to do that myself. She told me to sit at the computer on the online catalog, type in my topics, and write down call numbers of where I could find the books. After I found the general area they were located, I could then browse and find the ones I wanted. She offered to help. She typed in one topic and found that the Salem Witch Trials had books in 3 different sections. She looks at me and says, "that's what I was afraid of. They are all over the place. Not just in one area. Well, good luck." She returned to her desk and never gave another thought to poor old me who had at least 32 topics to find. In the meantime, I tried to solicit the help of 2 other librarians, but they kind of snubbed me as well.

After about an 1 and 1/2 hours, I had some call numbers. I went to the juvenile nonfiction section and asked if I could get a cart to put all these books on. One lady looked at me and said, "No, but I wouldn't mind storing baskets for you at the front desk after you find what you want." Once again, she never offered to help me pull books off shelves.

Finally, my savior came. One librarian decided to fulfill her job as librarian and help me find all the books, pull them off the shelf and help me check them out. About 45 minutes later, I had well over 60 books, and 60 more on hold for me to come from other libraries. This librarian offered to help me carry books out to my car.

Needless to say, it was a memorable 3 hour long library trip. After this, I was thinking how easy a job of being a librarian is. Most of them, don't leave the confines of their desk, don't help look up books, and definitely don't pull books off shelves. Everyone once in a while, you can find that truly devoted librarian who in order to contribute to the greater good of society will perform magnificent librarian duties. Hats off to Miriam - the devoted librarian!

Until next time! I'm off like a monkey on a coconut tree!