The Library Manager Files
For the past 15 years I had the pleasure of managing several public libraries. During that time, I collected far more than meeting notes, reports, and paperwork. I collected a lifetime of stories.
Some of them made me and others laugh.
Some of them kept me awake at night.
Some of them remind me why I love libraries.
And many of them taught me lessons that no one could have ever prepared me for.
Now that I'm retired (as of June 30th, Yay!) I thought it would be fun to start unpacking some of my files (mental files of course) and go one by one and share with you what I learned along the way.
Stories have always been one of my favorite ways to connect with people. I love discovering the humor in unexpected moments, the compassion in challenging ones, and the human connections that remind us we're never navigating life alone. I believe every story has two endings: the one that happened...and the lesson we carry with us afterward.
Just in case you're wondering. The names and locations and any other identifiable attributes will be changed for privacy issues. Librarians love to uphold privacy. However, the stories and lesson are all detailed to the best of my memory.
If you've ever worked in a public library, I hope these stories make you smile, nod your head, and maybe even think, "Yep...I've been there."
If you're a new manager or thinking about becoming one, then I hope these stories give you a glimpse into just how wonderfully unpredictable public libraries can be and not the complete opposite :)
In my series the Library Manager Files:
*Each file has a story.
*Each story has a lesson.
And every once in a while, you'll find yourself wondering...
"Did that really happen?"
The answer is probably most likely umm yes.
Make sure to grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and tune into the Library Manager Files.
See you next week for...
📁 File #1: The Case of the Cloggy Pants
