www.kennethoppel.ca

if a miniature service horse EVER came into the branch, NO MATTER WHAT MY LOCATION, EVEN ON MY DAY OFF - I was to be alerted immediately.

I don't think it was too much to ask.

#goals
#managing
#librarylife

A friend and I set to work adding and rearranging. As the day wore on, several items mysteriously joined the scene.

A coworker met me in the hall by the staff room and asked while pointing, "Did you do this?"

"Um.....yeah."

How did she know?

#workgoals

Turns out, he, Spencer, won a game, and when asked about his "costume," he said, "Nope, this is just me."

He made it into the final costume contest anyway and received a fair amount of votes.

#conversationswithstrangers
#BINGO

The next event was Drag Bingo with an 80's rocker wig theme. We encouraged them to come. I said, "Sir, you can just come as you are!" and they both laughed.

They showed up! She in an 80's pink sweatshirt and he in a long brown suede coat with fur trim and, of course, that gorgeous hair.

🧵

I said, "There are lots of avenues and specialties you can try in librarianship - think about it."

We eventually parted ways and resumed our shopping.

Just doing my best to swell the ranks of incoming professionals.

#conversationswithstrangers
#librarianinginthewild
#librarylife
#libraryschool

I laughed and said, "Yeah, it worked out to be a good choice. You know, if you ever wonder what to do with your career...consider library school."

The original reader said, "You know, my friend did that after getting her English degree and now she's a librarian in Atlanta."

🧵

I said, "I've told many kids they don't have to finish a book they aren't enjoying...EXCEPT for school. Finish those- and take notes on what you didn't like so you can have discussions in class. Your teacher will love it!"

They both laughed and one said, "No wonder kids here are so smart!"

🧵

"Since 1998." I said.

This interested them - I assume since they were both in their early 20s. What followed was a barrage of questions about the job and my tattoos and books I've read.

These polite young adults commented that I must have read to a lot of kids. To this, I agreed.

🧵

She smiled and said, "I guess I know that- but I'd feel guilty."

I said, "I'm a librarian. I can assure you there is zero guilt. If it's not working for you, move on."

She considered this and said, "Coming direct from a librarian means something. Thank you. How long have you been a librarian?"

🧵

3

I love bookstores.
And books.
And readers.

#conversationswithstrangers
#strangerswhoarealreadyfriends
#librarianinginthewild

📚💙