Libraries

I work at a library.  Just mentioning the word 'library' summons the stereotype of the old maid librarian, the bookworms, the silence, the intolerance of the staff toward noise.  The book shelves are neatly placed.  Research was done in files filled with little cards.  It was a boring atmosphere to be at.  It makes me think of an episode of Sticking Around where three characters enter a library to escape the bad guys of the serie (first season, episode 10, Dill, man of letter.)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stickin%27_Around)  At one point, one of the character had the need to speak loud and end up at the window.  The phrase he say is memorable: «Technically, I am out of the library» (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deSAPda7p0o)

What I see is different of the stereotype.  Now, there are sections where soft spoken conversations is allowed.  Other places are still on the silent mode.  The shelves are not so neat as in the stereotype: they can be overcrowded or on a diet.  Staff can retired some obsolete books once in a while (I would say once on a full moon).  The old maid librarian is not an old maid anymore.  The librarian are now a more diversified crowd and are even tech savvy.  People can even rent an IPad.  My library even have desks where they can plug their laptop.  The outlets are on the table.

The two only dislike that I have with the reality may be old ones that are not really seen in the stereotypy.  First, some shelves and some books are less used, so there is some dust accumulating there.  It can become a bit gross with time.  Second, handling books bring the problem of dry hands and dry skin.  I have to bring an hand cream to get rid of the dry skin.  Also, it is always good to bring a big bottle of water.  It help to get less dry skin.