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My first blog post! What should I write about? I could tell some great stories. I’m of the opinion that those of us who work in public libraries have the best stories. We really do. The problem is, most of them we can’t share. It’s understood that what happens at the library, stays at the library. We keep secrets.
One reason why library staff has the best stories is because everybody comes to the library, no matter their station in life, no matter their abilities, no matter their age or gender or religion. All that mix of humanity can’t help but make for some interesting times.
This is part of what I love about the library. It’s available to everyone. It’s the great equalizer. It’s foundational for a democracy — everyone has access to whatever information they desire or need.
Sometimes what I see and hear makes me think, “What a great story!” But I keep it to myself. I’ll have to think of other things to share!
Susan Bartel is the Supervisor of Special Services at Newton Public Library. She likes to say this means her job consists of "other duties as assigned". In reality, a large portion of what she does involves marketing and publicity, updating the website, facilitating various computer classes and interests groups (genealogy and photography in particular), managing overdue items, and quite an array of "other duties as assigned".
