Five years ago, if you would have told me that I'd be working full-time in a library, and getting my Master's in Library Science, I would have just stared at you. Heck, if you would have told me that two years ago I probably would have stared.
It's just not where I saw myself going.
Not that I really had a plan.
Or a backup plan.
I didn't like to think about the future and what it entailed. My high school roommate and I actually lovingly referred to it as "the F word" because I hated it so.
I'd try to make lists of places I could go to college, jobs I could maybe tolerate.
Librarian was nowhere on my list of things I might consider doing in the F word. (which sounds vaguely dirty but really isn't.)
It's amazing how much one person can affect your life.
Especially when you don't even know them.
You meet them at your cousin's graduation party and you talk for half an hour about the Library Science Program. Get along so well that you plan to meet up for coffee a few weeks later. That's when you learn about their caffeine addiction which you don't exactly hinder by bringing them coffee every class period.
Soon you're sending in a resume and an application form, not expecting to get three different phone calls about coming in to interview. You're used to sending out resumes as a part of a Placement Seminar Class that requires you to participate in fake interviews with real professionals. Find references. Build a portfolio.
Be an adult.
It's that class that got you the job.
Well, that and the Library Goddess.
So you go in to interview. Ramble a lot, fidget with your clothes. You know, do exactly what you were told not to do in an interview. Although you did cut down on the jewelry, black fingernail polish and hand gestures.
And then you wait patiently by the phone for a few days waiting to hear back, when you get the call offering you two jobs instead of one.
Which shocks even you.
Because you didn't expect the same woman to be supervisor at both branches you were interviewing at separately. (You later hear stories of "you can't hire her, I was going to hire her!")
You remember this next part in detail because it was kind of a big moment in life.
You're on the phone with the woman you will in the future refer to as "Superwoman" and jumping up and down in your bedroom, then remember that you're on the phone so you sit. And fidget. Because that's much quieter than knocking something down in your sudden fit of energy.
After you get off the phone you run outside to find your mother, who's about half a mile from home, doing her usual morning walk. She speeds up when she sees you, knowing exactly why you're walking quickly toward her.
"Which one did you get?" she yells.
"Both!" you yell back.
"WHAT?"
Yeah. You were confused too.
The next call you make? The Cool Aunt. These jobs are in fact her fault. She was the one to introduce you to the Library Goddess in the first place. You had plans that night with her to see "Date Night" and eat sushi. You nonchalantly mention your previous phone conversation and she flips. It would be a serious celebration evening. "I don't want the kids to live with your mother, she's awful!" quoted repeatedly on the way out of the theater.
In the meantime you've called both sisters, your brother happens to show up at the house - which he often does since he farms with your dad and lives half a mile away. After hearing the news he looks at you, says "you must really interview well" referring to your utter lack of work experience, and goes out to work. Thanks for that, by the way.
So you go in, sign all the paperwork, move in with your sister, start work at one branch first, putting books in order on carts, shelving books sideways with colored tags sticking out the sides to be checked they're in the right place. A few weeks later you start at the second branch, finding it more chaotic than the original. You got the slow mornings where no one really expected you to be a morning person although you suspiciously became one, and the fast afternoons to keep you busy and entertained by all the crazy locals.
And that's when you realize that these were the places you were meant to be.
With these people, in this town, in this library system.
You find an apartment, move in with your big fat cat. (your parents secretly cheer because lack of a certain feline means they can get new carpet) Order cable and internet.
So, you work at both branches for over a year. Get offered a full time position at one of the branches, forcing you to leave the other. Your home library. Sure, you'll still be a special guest star there every once in a while, couple nights a week for now. But it won't be the same.
No more singing George Strait while shelving in the jNonfiction section. No more morning Space Cadets with Space Cadet. Listening to storytimes by your Glee-Loving Boss. Hearing about endless trivia from Joe Studley. Joking around with the Queen of Awesome. Talking TV with Sensei. Shelving with the Quiet One. Sorting out holds for the lone adult volunteer. Who now, when she calls, asks to speak with you.
You're a family. So that sucks.
Tomorrow's your last day as an Aide.
Which means you'll be an emotional mess.
And it's not that you're not happy, grateful, even excited for your new job. You love those people and that place too. But it'll never be your home library. Your first real job. Your first real work family.
You try to rationalize, that you're not actually losing your home library. You'll still be there a couple nights a week. Be the first one on the list to go cover if someone is sick. Can stop by since you're off at six and they don't close until eight.
And that's fine.
Or, it will be fine.
You'll make it fine.
So you'll be there tomorrow, 2-8. For your last day.
Trying not to cry in the jNonfiction section.
"No Envy, No Fear" Joshua Radin
"Bring on the Wonder" Susan Enan
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