Tuesday, January 20, 2009

G-d Bless America

This morning, as I was watching ABC, one of the commentators noted something to the effect of "People are gathering on the mall to witness the peaceful transfer of power." What a wonderful testament to our American Democracy. We are able to relish the tradition, to marvel in the history, to enjoy the inaugural balls. At no point in our history have we ever needed to worry about chaos ensuing as we swear in a new administration.

Whether you see yourself as a Democrat or Republican, as an Independent or a Libertarian, we are all Americans, and we are truly blessed.

Monday, January 12, 2009

It's a privilege

I work in a public library and it's a privilege to serve the public. It's also a great deal of fun. Sure, we have all the stress of any public service job. Someone is looking for something they cannot find and their frustrated. They take it out on us (though a smile goes a long, long way in defusing their ire). Or someone is searching inappropriate sites on the Internet. That may make for an embarrassing or even disturbing situation, but generally not life threatening. Other times we may not be on the same wavelength with co-workers and we need to negotiate a bit. But, by and large, we have it good. We get to help people and when they find something they want, they get to take it home for three weeks -- for free!

Sometimes I think we forget what an essential service public libraries offer, or how fortunate we are to be able to help people use them. US News & World Report (http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/best-careers/2008/12/11/best-careers-2009-librarian.html) listed librarians as a "best career." I heartily concur. I look forward to the time when I will be able to identify myself as a librarian with a capital "L."