They're getting the hang of me

One of my staff members, leaning into the open door of my office: "Do you want to see something related to the building which will make you feel stressed and discouraged?

Patron of the month

A great conversation in Spanish I had this week: My library offers a class to help people study for the U.S. citizenship test (like most large cities in Texas, we have a large legal immigrant population), so when a man came in and asked for the text of the Pledge of Allegiance, and made it clear that he just wanted the text, not any historical information or context, I asked him if he was studying for the exam, thinking he might be interested in the class we offer. Instead, he said, "No, I already passed the test! My ceremony is in a few weeks and I want to practice saying it in English!"

Needless to say, I printed him a copy of the text for free.

I guess it worked out

Me answering the phone yesterday evening: Walnut Bluff Library, this is Emma, how can I help you?

Patron: Hello…you just called me?

Me: I’m sorry, I’m not the person you spoke to. Do you remember who called?

Patron: I didn’t talk to anyone, I just saw this number had called and I called back.

Me: Okay, did they leave a message?

Patron: No, I just called back. Do I owe y’all money?

Me: I doubt it. My best guess is that something is here and ready for you to come and get it. Let me just look up your account and see.

Patron: [tells me her name]

Me: Um, you don’t owe us any money, and you don’t have anything checked out. I don’t see any requests on your account either. Maybe we have something in our lost and found that belongs to you. Have you been to the library recently?

Patron: No, not in ages.

Me: Well, I’m so sorry about that. I don’t know why we would have called you.

Patron: I guess just to remind me that you are still there.

Me: Again, I’m sorry for disturbing your evening. Thanks for calling us back. As long as I have you on the phone, is there anything we can do for you?

Patron: Actually, can you request “Sybil” with Sally Field?

Me: Yes, ma’am!