This thread about working in a library went viral because it’s funny, passionate, angry and utterly lovely
This librarian who calls themselves @grumpwitch wrote a thread about things they have learned while working in a library and lots of people are saying it’s the best thing they’ve ever read on Twitter.
It’s a brilliant read – very moving, very funny – and will be enjoyed by anyone who’s ever been in a library.
So that’s everyone then.
Things I have learned about the general public whilst working at the library:
1. A huge number of people under 20 can't read face clocks, having grown up with only digital one.
2. Many people don't know how to spell "library." It's in our email address. This causes problems— Secret Library Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
3. A disturbing number of young people don’t actually know how book-lending at the library works. They assume it costs money! Teach your children about libraries!
4. Crime and thriller are basically the same thing in many cases. In fact, we have doubles of books because of that.— 21st Century Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
5. People use hidden codes like asterisks to mark which books they’ve read. Please don’t do that! The system will let you know if you’ve already borrowed something! Just ask.
6. If an automatic door breaks, people will walk into it instead of reading the sign at face height.— 21st Century Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
7. Libraries are a godsend for blind and deaf people and not just for audiobooks. They can come for help with filling out forms and getting directions.
8. Some elderly people go through books at a TERRIFYING rate. They are to be feared and respected.— 21st Century Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
9. Some people are so afraid of computers that they will come to you with a query and then become upset if you offer to look it up on the computer instead of in a book.
10. Some people have never, ever used a telephone. Especially older women. Their husband did it for them.— 21st Century Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
11. The DWP fuck over everyone but especially the most vulnerable and I haven’t met a single library worker who hasn’t helped struggling library users with food or phone calls or even a cup of tea when it’s cold and they can’t afford heating.
— 21st Century Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
12. The Jobcentre regularly lie to people and like to tell them they can get services at libraries that simply do not exist. We will try our very best to help you get what you should have been given at the Jobcentre.
— 21st Century Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
13. Most banks assume that everyone has an email now. In fact, some people have trouble proving that they exist at all without one.
14. Library folk are good folk. We do this because we are passionate about it. We have to be.— 21st Century Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
15. Libraries aren’t quiet anymore. They’re community hubs now. They may have quiet study areas but most libraries are bustling with activity. Between kids’ classes, singing and memory groups for those with Dementia, craft sessions and noisy office equipment, don’t expect silence
— 21st Century Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
16. Libraries remain the only place where you can spend hours in a publicly-accessible building without being expected to spend money. Parents come to entertain their children for free on wet days. People in poverty come for a warm place to sit. Libraries are a haven.
— 21st Century Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019
17. Some people will go their entire lives only reading 2-3 authors but still have enough material to read a book every month. (See also: Danielle Steel, James Patterson, Clive Cussler, etc.)
— 21st Century Gorgon 🐍 (@grumpwitch) May 15, 2019