Why..... oh, why....

Well, it's been a while since I wrote my last entry....  You may think, oh, nothing really happened, I guess....  In truth, again, if I were to write everything, all my time will be spent writing on my blog... :DDD  Fortunately, there are many librarians' blogs out there that tell the library soap opera!!!

In my 14 years of career at a library, the most serious incident happened last week, Saturday exact....

It was around 4:50ish...  I was in my office (yes, I DO have my own office!!) and started closing some stuff I was working on the computer.  Then all of sudden I heard loud female voice almost to shouting and thought I heartd my name shouted out.  I was startled and walked out of my office and saw one of my MCs standing in front of an elderly woman screaming at this man in Spanish and the look on my staff's face was telling me something was really serious.

When I asked what was going on, my staff said the woman said the man exposed himself to a little girl.  When my staff told me, the man accused of lewd conduct started shouting back at her in English saying she was lying, all he did was pulling up his pants because it was falling down.  He was being falsely accused.  He was going to call the cops himself and file charges against her.

I knew instinctly he was an unsavory character and informed him that we would call the Police and he should stay until cops arrive and file charges.  He kept walking away from the woman and the woman kept shouting at him in Spanish.  And I kept telling him to stay until Cops arrive.  He pulled out his cell phone while walking toward the exit and he seemed to be talking to the cops.  All I could do was continuously telling him he should stay until Officers arrive but he kept walking and disappeared.

Then I knew he did what he did.  After I made a call to the Library Security, I went to talk to the woman via interpretation of my staff.  The girl had her head down on the table and obviously has been crying.  I asked her whether she was OK, and she nodded.  There were few other kids next to the desk and when I asked whether anyone saw what happened, one young girl said she did.  I asked whether she saw the man doing something he was not supposed to do to the other girl, and without hesitation she said "yes!".

GSD arrived and they went to talk to the grandmother and the little girl.  One of the officers came to me said they firmly believe he did what he did and they would pursue until they catch the pervert.  Fortunately, we knew of his first name but no last name nor any other information.  But one of the former Teen Volunteers knew him very well....  Hoping she would come back to the library and we are allowed to talk to her to get the information...  Or better, that useless pervert, air theif will walk into the library like nothing happened and have his sorry ass arrested right in the library!!!!!

Well, now matter went above my head (paperworks and report are sent) and hopefully the 4th floor will deal with this properly...  The only thing I am worried about is the wellbeing of that little girl...  But I am hopefull because she had enought clear sense to get her grandmother's attention right away instead of waiting for that bastard completely disappear without getting our attention to the matter....

Well...  one aspect of a life in the public.....

Did I force you to return materials late with fees over $50.00???

A teenage boy (or perhaps he is 19 or something but still..) approached me when I was still on the phone helping a patron..  Here is what happened....

I: (on the phone) Ok, what was the title again?  (typing) ok.. ok... OK, Would you hold on a second?
Teen: Excuse me Excuse Me (this was happening while I was talking on the phone!  So some of you already know me, that is my BIGGEST Petpeeves!!! Obviously, he will have to wait a LLLLLOOOOONNNNGGGG before I turn my attention!!)
I:  (got the book and finished help the lady on the phone.  Meanwhile he disappeared!)
.
.
.
.
(after a while, he reappeared)
He: Well, the library keeps bothering my house I owe money.  I want to pay it with DVDs.
I: Excuse me?  What do you mean you want to pay it with DVDs? (of course I knew what he was trying to do!)
He: Ok.  I owe money and I want to bring new DVDs for fines.
I: Sorry but it doesn't work that way.  If you own fines for late returning, you need to pay fines.  You can't substitute.
He: Who do I need to talk to?
I: I am the one you need to talk to.
He: Who do I need to talk to bigger than you?
I: (Now you are pushing my button) When it comes to fines that owed to this branch, I am the only one you need to talk to.
He: What about to other library?
I: Since the materials belong to this branch, I am the one who makes the decision.
He: But I want to bring new DVDs instead of paying fines!
I: It doesn't work that way.  If you owe fines, you pay the fines. (You bloody idiot!!  With that attitude, even though it is under my discretion to do so, but in your case, I am doing it by the BOOK!!)
He: (he just stopmed away from the Ref desk cursing in Spanish!!  Yes, I've around long enough to know what they say!!!)

Note to others: If you want me to do something nice to you, such as work with you on fines, have nicer attitude and make me feel I have the ultimate power to do so and be thankful that I am doing it for you!!  If you demand? Guess what?  You will pay every single penny that's on your card!!!!  And another  note, that's the most important fact!!  No one, I repeat NO ONE forced you to keep items longer than due dates!!!

Another Brilliant Mind regarding Restroom Key

A nicesly dressed sharp looking young woman (and a tutor..  I should've guess by her questions following this introduction!) approached the Reference Desk this morning...

Woman: Where is the restroom key for women?
I: Where the sigh says "Restroom Keys."
Woman: I don't see it.  Where is it?
I: (Literally staring at her and felt my smarta$$ attitude starting to come out) I wouldn't know where it is if it is not there.
Woman: Well, if it isn't here, how am I supposed to go to the restroom?
I: (Seriously???  I wanted to tell her, well, if you don't see it, where do you think it is??)......  Perhaps, someone is using it already??????
Woman: Hmph! (and walked toward the actual restroom to wait outside!)

Yeah....  And person like HER is teaching the children.....  Brilliant, isn't it???