Listen, anyone who works face-to-face with the public is bound to learn a thing or two about people, whether they’re trying to or not. Some of it is amusing, some of it is profound, some of it isn’t memorable at all, but here’s the thing – we could all use a little more insight into one another these days, don’t you think?
Which is why this Twitter thread, written by Scottish librarian @grumpwitch, has garnered so much attention.
They began with a few simple things: young people can’t read non-digital clocks, and many people can’t spell the world ‘library.’
https://twitter.com/grumpwitch/status/1128686834563866629
The second one doesn’t surprise me much, just based on how many people say library.
Then, the more surprising news that many younger people don’t understand how libraries work at all, the that some genres are so similar libraries stock double titles so one can be shelved in each section.
3. A disturbing number of young people don’t actually know how book-lending at the library works. They assume it costs money! Teach your children about libraries!
4. Crime and thriller are basically the same thing in many cases. In fact, we have doubles of books because of that.— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
I did not know that.
Computers will tell you whether or not you’ve checked out a book before, so no need to devise your own system…and, you know. Maybe don’t expect doors to open for you, but be happy when they do.
5. People use hidden codes like asterisks to mark which books they’ve read. Please don’t do that! The system will let you know if you’ve already borrowed something! Just ask.
6. If an automatic door breaks, people will walk into it instead of reading the sign at face height.— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
That is some kind of commend on our society, though I’m not sure exactly what to make of it.
Libraries are there for everyone, but they are especially helpful for disabled people, and older people, who apparently consume books like thirtysomething moms consume wine.
7. Libraries are a godsend for blind and deaf people and not just for audiobooks. They can come for help with filling out forms and getting directions.
8. Some elderly people go through books at a TERRIFYING rate. They are to be feared and respected.— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
I can’t wait until I’m old and can read a book a day. How delightful.
These next few seem like absolute insanity, and I can’t believe it happens all that often.
9. Some people are so afraid of computers that they will come to you with a query and then become upset if you offer to look it up on the computer instead of in a book.
10. Some people have never, ever used a telephone. Especially older women. Their husband did it for them.— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
I mean, I can, but seriously, so much has changed so fast.
And of course, the man doesn’t cut anyone a break.
11. The DWP fuck over everyone but especially the most vulnerable and I haven’t met a single library worker who hasn’t helped struggling library users with food or phone calls or even a cup of tea when it’s cold and they can’t afford heating.
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
The people who can least afford the trouble get more than their share.
It also doesn’t surprise me that other people try to pass off their job to someone else.
12. The Jobcentre regularly lie to people and like to tell them they can get services at libraries that simply do not exist. We will try our very best to help you get what you should have been given at the Jobcentre.
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
Because we all know librarians will do what they can, and that they chose their job because they’re passionate about it.
13. Most banks assume that everyone has an email now. In fact, some people have trouble proving that they exist at all without one.
14. Library folk are good folk. We do this because we are passionate about it. We have to be.— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
Libraries aren’t quiet anymore! I knew this because I take my young kids, but it’s nice to know it’s not expected.
15. Libraries aren’t quiet anymore. They’re community hubs now. They may have quiet study areas but most libraries are bustling with activity. Between kids’ classes, singing and memory groups for those with Dementia, craft sessions and noisy office equipment, don’t expect silence
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
You can also come and not do anything at all, so expect to see all types of people hanging out.
16. Libraries remain the only place where you can spend hours in a publicly-accessible building without being expected to spend money. Parents come to entertain their children for free on wet days. People in poverty come for a warm place to sit. Libraries are a haven.
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
I guess branching out isn’t for everyone.
17. Some people will go their entire lives only reading 2-3 authors but still have enough material to read a book every month. (See also: Danielle Steel, James Patterson, Clive Cussler, etc.)
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
Funding depends on how many people come in and out the door.
18. A library lives and dies by the staff on the counter. You can have the best funding, all of the books and tech in the world but you’ll only get footfall if your staff go above and beyond. Sometimes even that doesn’t work, though and it’s frustrating.
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
And they lose people to “fancier” places all the time – and therefore, funding and jobs.
19. We’re funded based on footfall. I’ve seen staff cry because we lost a youth group to a private hall that has fancier facilities like a cafe. We need all the footfall we can get.
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
In fact, the unpaid workload is huge, and often still not enough.
20. Staff are hitting their heads against walls volunteering to create events, classes and groups only to have them shot down because local councils don’t understand social media or want to charge for it. I can’t overemphasise just how much unpaid work staff do.
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
Like teachers, a lot of the materials are paid for out of pocket.
21. Most of the facilities are only working because staff pay out of pocket to get things working. My manager bought a new laminator when we couldn’t afford one. She buys in colouring materials for kids. We sometimes bring in our own stationery. We even but lightbulbs in.
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
Both of these little tidbits are super gross, but aren’t all that shocking.
22. Authors don’t like to visit little libraries because they don’t get paid. Bookstores often pay.
23. The “sexy librarian” trope has actually done a LOT of harm and has caused countless incidences of sexual assault by men who can’t tell the difference between porn and reality.— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
Just one more reason to love old ladies!
24. Old ladies keep libraries in business. Old ladies who read are the best. Old ladies who can tell you exactly which page features the most gruesome murder scene are the very best.
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
Yes, they do really want to know what you thought of that book!
25. Library staff ALWAYS want to know what you thought of the book. We want to know what to recommend to others!
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
They sort of play favorites…
26. I’m not supposed to have favourite library users but I do: I love library couples, who bicker over each others’ reading tastes or share books and then argue about the themes.
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
And there’s no type of child that’s annoying to them.
I also love the autistic kids with special interests. I will crawl over hot coals to get you a book about the specific type of train you are interested in, tiny child. I will listen to you tell me about it in great detail. I will try to remember for the next time you come in.
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
They get excited to watch their patrons grow up.
27. The single best moment, for me, is when a library user graduates from Young Adult to Adult and suddenly the entire library is open to them! They can read anything! No more tiny teen section! All of the classics! Sci fi! Horror!
They often get overwhelmed.
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
But don’t ever deny them coffee. Amen.
28. And finally, because I’ve spammed you long enough and because my typos are mounting up, remember this:
Library staff can overcome many challenges but Book Gods help you if you deprive us of caffeine. You don’t want to see what happens then.
— grumpwitch misses the library (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
Everyone loved this thread, and with one simple correction (authors usually don’t get paid to go to bookstores, either), book people have been sharing it like crazy.
What’s your favorite tidbit that you learned? Share with us in the comments!
