There is a common misconception that librarians spend our days reading books at work, while we are fortunate enough to get to read about books sometimes. Our reality is more like the Twilight Zone episode “Time Enough at Last”. We love books as much as the banking bookworm Henry Bemis does, and like him we don’t have enough time at work to read for pleasure. That’s where the similarities end, because we take pride and pleasure in serving the public.
While we don’t read all day, we do spend a considerable amount of time listening to and telling stories. At the core, our job is listening to people and then connecting them to the best information or materials we can find that suits their particular situation. I’ll admit it isn’t always the fastest way to find something out, but our librarians are usually able to gather higher quality information than you’ll find with a quick glance.
Sometimes we find answers fast, but we often have to digest the story and give careful consideration to find the most appropriate information. The most immediate information isn’t always the most appropriate information and that is a fact that is easy to lose sight of in our fast paced, high volume information environment.
A few weeks ago, we heard a story being told by the Hinton Police Department that they have been fielding complaints about abandoned buggies strewn about town. The HPD was planning to use the tools they were given to respond to the problem of the misused buggies. The tools the HPD were given can be blunt and are not appropriate for every problem. They catch a lot of flak for that.
I have to hand it to the HPD because they offered a quick, well-intended solution and initiated this conversation. I’d like to point out that the Library’s tools aren’t always the best for every situation, in case y’all think I’m getting too big for my britches. We just use a different tool kit.
Using the tools of the library trade, we acted as though this were just any regular ol’ reference question. After a little careful consideration, collaboration, and creativity Project Buggy Buddy was born. I think it is an elegant solution because it eases the burden on people hauling goods and groceries up that hill, while freeing up the HPD and stores from buggy wrangling, and it might just make the town look better to boot.
We know that misused buggies aren’t the biggest problem we have and our solution is just a Band-Aid. Reading between the lines of the story the HPD told, we see that the bigger problem is that many people lack transportation. I doubt that is the biggest problem our community faces. Frankly, we have a myriad of problems in this community, but none of them are unfigureoutable if we listen to each other and work together using all of the tools at our disposal.
We all forget sometimes just how amazing our community can be, and I write this to remind myself as much as anyone else. We often look around at our many problems, get overwhelmed, and give in, or give up. We deny how powerful we are, that we can make positive changes right here and now with the tools that we have available to us. Just by being a good neighbor, anyone of us can make a positive impact at any time. You’ve heard it said that misery loves company, but I believe that positivity is contagious and should be shared.
And so it pleases me to say that our wagons are rolling out and being shared in the community and I’d like to thank the many people that made it possible. We at the Summers County Public Library are grateful to have such an awesome public to serve. Thanks to you all.
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Our Youth Services Librarians are having a Noon Year’s Eve Party on December 31 at 11:30 AM Ring in the new year before bedtime with crafts, countdown, snacks, and more!
As always, you can call us at 304-466-4490 for more information, and we hope to see you in the Library.
