AskALibrarian

It's Tax Day, Again.

Q Can you tell me where your tax forms are?

R Yes ma'am they are right over there in those black binders. The gentleman at the copier has one of the binders.

Q Thanks. (she heads off to a binder)

Q (seconds later)These are the 2001 forms I need 2002.

R I think you need the 2001's.

Q No! I need 2002.

R Ma'am the 2001 forms...

Q (she grabs both of my arms and squeezes kind of hard)You're right, you're right 2001, 2001. I am sorry, you're right.

Q (a minute later)I need to make a copy of form 2688 and it is not here.

R I think the fellow at the copier has it, you will need to wait until he is done with that binder.

Q (2 minutes later) It's not here. I cannot find it, this binder does not even go up to page 713.

R Well, it must be in the other binder. You will need to wait until this fellow finishes with it.

Q (2 minutes later) It's not here. I cannot find it, there is no page 713.

R Hmmmm. That is strange, a man just made a copy of that document a little while ago.

R Let me print it out again and then you can make a copy.

R (mintes later after ancient deskjet chugs out one page)Here you go.

Q Thanks so much. Can I borrow a pen to fill this out?

R Ummmm Sure.



Later during change of shift at the desk:

R1 Here is a copy of the Additional Extension form, ours went missing earlier today. I am keeping this one at the desk.

R2 OK, thanks. See you later.



Even later in the workroom:

R2 I found out what happened to that IRS form, R3 had put it in the desk drawer since everyone was asking for it today.

R1 Oh Good Gravy!


Observation: I am one of the 8 million people who have not filed their 2001 taxes this year so it was pretty soothing to see the panic you usually only see in April in the eyes of others today.

You (^@$ing @^n#!


Q1 Hey Selena!

Q2 Are you talking to me?

Q1 No I am talking to her. Selena!

Q3 Who me?

Q1 Yea, you. You f(*&ing c()*&s(*&ing w)(*&re

Q1 I don't went to ever see you again you f(*&king c4nt b13ch.

Q3 Oh f8ck off.

Q1 Get back hear you b1#ch. I am going to tear your head off. C7nt!

R Ladies, if you are going to talk like that take it out side. This is no place for that kind of talk.

Q1 (to Q3) F(*&king b1#ch.

R Helloooo? I am talking to You. Do you see where you are sitting? This is the childrens area, there are small children who hang out here, they do not need to hear that kind of talk. If you want to talk like that you need to leave.


Observation: She never did make eye contact with me. She sat there long enough for me to realize I did not win and then she left. A few minutes later I did peek out the window to see if my car had been keyed or a window was broken out out or something.

I wish I knew how to talk to hostile people (teenagers especially). I guess I better learn.

Slow Day


Q Can you please help with the photocopier?

R Sure, I will be right there.

Q Is this the only copier you have in the library?

R No ma'am there is one downstairs.

Q Oh. Well I did not see it.

R This is the only one that takes cash though, the one downstairs only accepts a print card.

Q I just can't seem to get this to work, I put my quarter in. What does this (points to a flashing U 2 )mean?

R Here you go ma'am, your quarter fell through, sometimes the new ones do that.

Q This is not a new one.

R Well do you have any other quarters?

Q Yes.

Q What does this (points to a flashing U 2 )mean?

R It just means that is ready to copy.

Q It only printed one copy when I told it to print three.

R You only put in one quarter ma'am, it is fifteen cents a page.

Q Alright. Thanks for your help.


Observation: Really, it has been an excrutiatingly slow day. Thank god for little busywork projects.