I’ve peppered this blog with stories from my volunteer shift at the public library welcome desk for nearly the last year and a half. The hours I spend there every other Saturday morning have been fun but of late have become a chore. When I started looking at the clock and counting down the minutes until my shift was over, I began to think that maybe it was time to be done. And so it is. This last Saturday was my last day. Blessedly, my nemesis was not there. It was a good day, if dull, and I am glad to go out on an up note. Are you sorry to hear that there will be no more stories of Librarian Mike?

I am not done volunteering though, I have just switched venues. I will be volunteering for the Internet Public Library. I’ve just begun the process so it isn’t official yet, but I will be answering reference questions as a volunteer. I am also looking into doing volunteer work in the IPL’s digital collections as well. I’m not sure I am allowed to do both. If I am not, I will just answer questions. It will be great and practical practice. And the IPL writes reference letters.

I am a little sad to not be at the downtown library any longer if for no other reason than the people-watching value is very high. But, when it comes to choosing between a volunteer position that limits me to directing people to the bathroom and helping them sign up for a library card and a position that allows me to actually answer reference questions, well it’s a no-brainer. So no more stories of mean Mike, or exploding bowels, or mentally ill people verbally abusing trees. Who knows though, maybe the IPL has its own ecosystem of the weird and whacky. I’ll be sure to let you know.