These Viral Observations A Librarian Shared On Twitter Will Shock You
The generational divide is definitely strong.
You may think of libraries as homes to thousands of books or unofficial study centers, but it turns out, they are the perfect place to do some serious sociological research. On Thursday, Twitter user @grumpwitch shared a list of 28 things they've learned while working in a library—and very little of it is about books.
For example, apparently, there's a disconcerting amount of people who don't know how to spell "library," and young people who can't read analog clocks anymore.
Things I have learned about the general public whilst working at the library:
1. A huge number of people under 20 can't read face clocks, having grown up with only digital one.
2. Many people don't know how to spell "library." It's in our email address. This causes problems— Secret Library Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
There also seem to be a lot of children who don't even know how to borrow a book from the library, which is unfortunate given that studies have shown kids who are read to a lot grow up to be more intelligent adults.
3. A disturbing number of young people don't actually know how book-lending at the library works. They assume it costs money! Teach your children about libraries!
4. Crime and thriller are basically the same thing in many cases. In fact, we have doubles of books because of that.— Secret Library Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
Librarians help seeing- and hearing-impaired people with much more than reading.
7. Libraries are a godsend for blind and deaf people and not just for audiobooks. They can come for help with filling out forms and getting directions.
8. Some elderly people go through books at a TERRIFYING rate. They are to be feared and respected.— Secret Library Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
And while older people read at a lightning-fast pace, they struggle with modern technology.
9. Some people are so afraid of computers that they will come to you with a query and then become upset if you offer to look it up on the computer instead of in a book.
10. Some people have never, ever used a telephone. Especially older women. Their husband did it for them.— Secret Library Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
Speaking of times changing, the Twitter user also shared that libraries are no longer necessarily "quiet."
15. Libraries aren't quiet anymore. They're community hubs now. They may have quiet study areas but most libraries are bustling with activity. Between kids' classes, singing and memory groups for those with Dementia, craft sessions and noisy office equipment, don't expect silence
— Secret Library Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
But they continue to be a refuge for everyone, regardless of their situation or socio-economic background.
16. Libraries remain the only place where you can spend hours in a publicly-accessible building without being expected to spend money. Parents come to entertain their children for free on wet days. People in poverty come for a warm place to sit. Libraries are a haven.
— Secret Library Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
Like teachers, being a librarian is one of the few jobs in which employees are compelled to take materials from home to bring to work rather than the other way around. This includes everything from light bulbs to laminators.
21. Most of the facilities are only working because staff pay out of pocket to get things working. My manager bought a new laminator when we couldn't afford one. She buys in colouring materials for kids. We sometimes bring in our own stationery. We even but lightbulbs in.
— Secret Library Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
But the best thing about being a librarian? Seeing a young reader literarily graduate.
27. The single best moment, for me, is when a library user graduates from Young Adult to Adult and suddenly the entire library is open to them! They can read anything! No more tiny teen section! All of the classics! Sci fi! Horror!
They often get overwhelmed.
— Secret Library Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
And for more on the joys of reading, Learn the Japanese Word That Perfectly Describes Book Hoarders.
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