I work at a
public library branch and I love my job. I do not save lives but in many
small ways I help people. Sometimes I locate books for them, like
something to study for a nursing exam, or to fix plumbing or an author they
want to read. Sometimes I show off a database that might be
helpful. I relish those times that I get a college student taking online
classes and I can put on my old instruction librarian hat and show them how to
find peer reviewed articles. But most of what I do is helping folks
bridge the digital divide and print out, fill out, download and upload needed
documents to function in the digital world. There are about half a dozen
folks at the new Fiserv Forum downtown that I helped submit applications,
download employment contracts, scan and then upload employment documents.
I didn't get them the job, but they needed me to get their employer what was
required. I enjoy helping people.
Now on a typical
day, several hundred people come through the doors of the Martin Luther King
branch. I have never been good with matching names and faces. It takes
me a while and I have to make an effort. So pretty much the only patrons
I know the names of are the ones that are frequently in need of assistance
(particularly those who regularly ask me to put holds on items for them so I
see their name on my screen) or patrons who have caused trouble and I have had
to fill out or read security reports about them. By far the vast majority
of folks I just don't remember. The regular ones look familiar but I may
never learn any of their names. I'm friendly to everyone, so for the most
part it is not a problem.
The branch I work
at is not far from where I live. I can (if I get my act together and the
weather is right and I already have my lunch in the break room fridge) walk to
work. This means that occasionally when I’m out walking or shopping I
will come across folks that I've met in the course of my work. More
than half the time I don't recognize them, but I assume if someone recognizes
me it is because I helped them in some way. I will engage in small talk
and hope they don't expect me to know their name.
The other morning I
was shopping at the local Walmart and as I put a pack of toilet paper in my
cart an elderly black woman rolled her cart up to me and got a big smile on her
face. "Oh it's you!"
I nodded and smiled
figuring her for a library patron.
"It's so good
to see you." she said, then she got serious, "You know, Jimmy is
locked up…. Yea….He doing a lot better now, but he's locked up."
I nodded and said,
"Glad he's doing better"
"Yea. Yea,
He graduated from high School. I was proud, but he's locked up now….
Still he doing better. Sometimes he ask if I see any of his teachers…Not
really."
I smiled and
nodded.
"Well I am so
glad I saw you. I'll tell Jimmy. This really made my day" and
she walked away smiling.
I have no idea who
Jimmy is. I'm not even sure if this woman knows who I am, but whoever she
thinks I am, I'm glad I made her day, and I hope that Jimmy really is doing
better.
