Library Mythconceptions
It strikes me that most people don’t have a clue what I actually do all day at work. Hopefully my fellow inmates at the Library of Doom have at least a vague idea, but in the wider world my actual activities are about as well known as Chandler Bing’s job title in Friends. In other words, everyone thinks they know, but nobody really does. I think this is largely due to a variety of myths, rumours and misconceptions that surround the world of librarianship. I won’t bore you with the details of exactly what I do, but here are some things which aren’t entirely true.
It must be lovely, being able to read all those wonderful books. Well, yes, the Library of Doom is indeed full of books, both wonderful and otherwise, and I have handled a large proportion of our stock (getting on for half a million items), and probably seen almost everything, even if only the spine of the book out of the corner of my eye. However, I don’t get to sit around during working hours perusing this storehouse of knowledge, as, strangely enough, I’m being paid to do more useful things. The only time when some of us might get to sit down and read is if we’re stuck on a late shift on the issue desk over the summer, when you see approximately one and a half students per hour. If you’re lucky.
The Singing Librarian Talks 