We'll be in touch

Preparation. Some people say that if you prepare hard enough you can accomplish anything. In my experience in libraries, something is always waiting in the dark corner to destroy all your best laid plans. 

     Prepare for a dozen teens at a game night? Enter the 28-year-old man child who wants to get down on a Smash Tournament.

     Lovingly set out a movie night for a retirement home? Granma Gammy is gonna light into you because the main character said "fart."

     Try to do a job interview for a children's librarian? The candidate will come with a binder.

     "I've been looking around the library for the last two months, and I have some ideas," the second interviewee said.

     "Uh huh," the circulation librarian said.

      I said, "We have a few questions first, but if you would like to share at the end-" 

     The sentence crashed against a solid wall of enthusiasm. Second said, her red hair waving around like electrified copper, "First, you need a manga section. I know, you have a small collection of about a hundred, but I talked to the teens and you are missing some serious runs."

     "Uh huh," Circ said, looking over Second's application. From what I could tell she was on page four of six.

      Second said, "And the bookmobile! It's just sitting out there. Not once in two months has it moved."

     "Well, the alternator went out. And we think the interior lights are dead, and we need those to run it successfully," I said. "What do you think is your most desirable trait when working with people?"

     "I bet I can get my cousin to give you a good price on car repair. He might ask for something, but he's good for it," Second said.

     Circ sucked on her teeth. "You got your MLIS at University of Alabama?"

     "Roll tide," Second said.

     I decided to let Circ continue.

     She did. "Your mama Virginia?"

     "She is."

     "You know I grew up with Ginny. I probably shouldn't be in this interview. Didn't know you were Ginny's girl."

     "I'm not 'Ginny's girl.' Not since she went off."

     "You ever hear from her? You or your daddy?"

     "Don't care to."

     "What do you think of organizing nonfiction by subject?"

     "Good for a bookstore, bad for a library unless you got a robust circulation system. You don't, but you could get by on some more dynamic displays, end caps, and outfacing materials."

     Circ nodded. "You do funny voices?"

     "Yes, ma'am." Second peeled through a half dozen cartoon characters.

     Circ turned to me. Raised her eyebrows. 

     I said, "Great, well, this has been fun. Thank you very much for coming in, and we'll be in touch."