Is it a full moon?

Mom speaks: There are many challenges in the public library forum especially when the 100 degree plus days won't stop coming.

Summer situation no. 1: Some patrons seem to think getting a book for summer reading isn't enough. One lady asked me what days and time her child was supposed to attend the summer reading program. I think she thought it was like a summer camp or free day care...go figure, this happens every year by the way. Definition of Summer Reading: traditionally when children chose their own books to read and read them where ever or whenever they'd like (yes in the W.C. counts too). Librarians aren't concerned about what they are reading in terms of classics, comics. We don't even care where they are reading such as the dinner table. We are concerned about reading itself. Yep, that's what we're into. Reading! Yeah! Reading! Summer Reading can also mean reading books assigned by the school, those harshers of mellow who bring the purity of summer down with assignments. C'mon dude it's freakin summer give the kids a break!

Summer situation no. 2: Patrons think they can just wait for books to come back to the library and check them out then. Especially patrons who are wanting books on reading lists assigned by the mean ol' school districts (see above). Note to these folks: the library is state of the art, computer run there are no more CARD catalogs. What this means to you: people can put books on hold either by yourself from the comfort of your home computer or with a friendly librarian, they love to do it, they live for it. These books on hold can come from ANYWHERE in the city from ANY branch library. If a book is on a summer reading list it will RARELY just come in. In fact, the closer to the school year starting, the higher those hold numbers will get larger lessening your chance of getting a book before you go back to school. Put it on hold people that's the only way. You don't want to be in the library the last week of summer asking about the Red Pony believe me! It's kind of fun for us librarians seeing kids putting off the dreaded reading then two days before school starts trying to read SOMETHING, ANYTHING FROM THAT ASSIGNED READING LIST! Then parents get mad, there's yelling and chaos and possibly beatings. Very entertaining.

Which leads to the
Summer situation no.3 (actually this one happens year round). Reference staff of all types getting blamed for everything. Here are many sentences associated with this. "But I need the computer because my paper is due tomorrow"-heard 5 minutes before closing time. "But I have to read that book for school next week." "I have to check out that book for a book club, can't you just check it out to me." - said on the phone by a patron who hadn't returned a book, owed money and sent her son in with her card and the card was expired. Work with me here people. I can't help you unless you help yourself! I've been to school and I am not writing your paper for you or reading your book for you either.

We're reference librarians, not superheroes.
Add in the smelly people, the angry people and the insane and you have last week.