Caution: Dangerous Donations Ahead!

Today a customer brought in a box of books to donate. Our clerical supervisor carried them into the workroom and started looking through them to see if there was anything worth keeping. She noticed some blue fabric and thought it might be a handkerchief or something. But when she picked it up, she immediately squealed, "PANTIES!!!" and threw them across the room. They weren't clean, either.

I have to say, that's the best laugh I've had at work in a long time. Yay for disgusting customers!! :)

Heartwarming

I just realized it's been weeks since I posted anything - where does the time go? This is a tough time of year to find time for anything other than working, shopping, cooking, and visiting, but I do have a sweet story to share.

Last week a Stephanie Meyer book (can't remember which one but it doesn't really matter - they're ALL heavily requested right now) came up on hold for a young girl. Her mom answered when we called to let her know it was available, and she asked us to participate in a little scheme she cooked up. Seems she had bought the book for her daughter but instead of giving it directly to her, she wanted us to hand to her daughter when she came to pick up her hold.

I was lucky enough to be at the reference desk when they came in the next morning. When she asked for the book on hold for her, I gave her the copy her mother bought for her, onto which her mom had clipped a sweet note explaining that it was hers. It took her a few minutes to read the note, during which time mom was waiting with her cell phone camera ready to capture that moment when she realized what was going on. She looked up, caught her mother's eye and flew into her arms, shouting "thank you, thank you, thank you!!" and "I love you so much!" It was really very sweet and heartwarming.

Of course, we lost a circulation but at least the next person got their copy faster!

Free still beats cheap

A young guy (fantasy, RPG-type) came in today to ask for a book. While I was looking for it, he stated that he used to live near a discount bookstore, where they would order any book he wanted at a cheap price. I countered with, "Now you can get them for free!" to which he replied, "Yeah, but I have to give 'em back." Well, there is that.

I still think free beats cheap any day. And (dare I admit this?) I can't remember the last time I actually bought a book. Why would I buy books when I can get pretty much any book I could possibly want, for free? Plus, I don't have to lug big boxes of books around when I move.

Working at the library does have some advantages.