With rainy days aplenty in the past weeks I have found myself with bored girls on my hands on numerous occasions. Larkspur especially gets a little desperate for me to help her find things to do. I find myself feeling a little desperate too sometimes. If I were to name Beatrix and Larkspur’s favorite things they would be books and paper. Beatrix being the bigger lover of books, and Larkspur being (very) heavy on the paper. So late one evening last week, armed with the latest issue of Alphabet Glue, I sat down at my computer and started requesting books from Annie’s list of gardening books for kids. For the past ten years or so I have had a child at the fling books off the shelves stage almost constantly, so sometimes rather than take everyone with me to the library, I like to make requests online. That way I can be in and out with a stack of books in minutes, no book flinging or dirty looks masked by disapproving smiles from a certain children’s librarian (yes, somehow I am not popular with this one lady….)
Okay, actually I have to stop right there and tell you a story about her. But first, I just want you to know that my kids behave rather well at the library. They’ve been going all their lives and they know the whole be quiet thing etc. etc. But Beatrix, dear Beatrix. She has a little trouble being quiet and moving slowly. She’s also not good at not talking. But back to our library, and that librarian. From the first time I set foot on the children’s level of the library holding Seth’s little hand, Keats still floating around inside my stomach I feel like she’s had her eye on me. It’s more than possible that I am being overly sensitive and maybe even a little paranoid. But see, she has this way of smiling at me that doesn’t really seem like smiling. It’s hard to describe.
I am one of those baby wearing people, and she has adjusted my baby carriers multiple times. If I were better at recalling things, I am sure that I would recall her adjusting nearly every one of the babies I have worn in her presence. Clearly, she thinks that I don’t know what I am doing. That’s okay. In many ways she would be right if that is indeed what she’s thinking. Maybe she’s just overly helpful. The most recent incident went like this: I am feeling adventurous and decide to take Larkspur, Beatrix, and Silas to the library. Silas is worn on my back and the girls hold my hands walking inside. They want to take the elevator even though we only need to travel up one story to reach the children’s level. We emerge from the elevator and Larkspur and I pause to look at the books on display just outside the door. Beatrix skips around the corner to the room that holds the picture books. I vaguely notice an older gentleman emerge from the stairwell as Bea passes. As far as I can tell, he doesn’t even notice her. There is no audible gasp, no stumble, no nothing. Larkspur and I follow Beatrix under the watchful eye of the librarian. Just as I think we have made it passed her I hear, “Ma’am?” Suppressing a sigh, I turn and try to smile. I assume that she thinks Silas looks uncomfortable and wants to adjust him in the back carrier. But no, not this time. She asks me if I saw the older gentleman. I tell her that indeed I did. She tells me that Beatrix startled him as she took the corner a bit too quickly. “Oh dear” I say, “Yes, she is only three years old and she does tend to move quickly. I’ll try to do a better job helping her to walk slowly in the future.” I think that’s all, that my scolding is over, but it’s not. The librarian goes on to tell me with the gravest of expressions that at his age a fall could mean hospitalization. My eyes grow round. “And he may never leave the hospital again.” Her eyes pierce me with those last words. I hear her message loud and clear: Beatrix has almost killed that man. Eyes still round, I try to keep my mouth closed while nodding at the seriousness of the situation. The librarian closes by asking that I discuss this with Beatrix at a time that “you think is appropriate.”
“Yes, I surely will.” Throughout this conversation I am quite sure that the gentleman in question is sitting in the next room perusing the magazines unaware that he has just made such a narrow escape.
Meanwhile, Beatrix has been in the next room looking at books with Larkspur. I walk over to her and kneeling down, I take her three year old hands in mine and look into her dancing blue eyes. “Beatrix, did you notice that man that walked passed you when we got off the elevator?” “No,” she replies. “Well, you could have tripped him, sending him to the hospital and causing his eventual death. In other words, you nearly killed him.” No, I’m kidding. I didn’t say that to her. I just said something along the lines of “Okay, well be sure and watch where you are going.”
So you can understand why I like booklists and being able to request books ahead of time. I don’t even have to set foot on the children’s floor. But don’t worry. I am not depriving my kids of the library experience. I am just not up for it every week.
Okay, that was a long tangent. Back to what I meant to be writing about, although at this point I feel silly.
I also found a good paper craft in Alphabet Glue for Larkspur, a little accordion style book filled with little homemade paper envelopes. The directions called for using decorated paper for the envelopes, but we didn’t have any. I think that worked out really well though. I got out markers, crayons, stamps, and colored pencils and we decorated the envelopes ourselves. I had thought this would be something for just Larkspur and I, but soon all five of my big kids were at the table working. I love it when that happens. I am feeling a little obsessed with Alphabet Glue right now. In fact I just printed up all six issues. It took an hour.
p.s. Annie’s starting up a read aloud book along just in time for summer. It sounds fun!
p.p.s. Local friends have been weighing in about the librarian. Evidently, she just wants to help. She doesn’t mean to offend. What I perceive as a dirty look is most likely concern and caring. But, I am not the only one who has been made to feel bad by her. At any rate, I shared the story simply because it’s funny! People can be so crazy. That’s okay, it makes life interesting and will give you something to laugh about later.
haha I laughed a little too hard at the library story. She sounds rather morbid, who says somebody might not ever leave a hospital?! She sounds really uncomfortable to be around!
Children and librarians…they just don’t mix. My library trips have often been accompanied by disaproving looks and tellings off (directed at me!) We just don’t need it do we? It’s tough enough!
as a former librarian I also want my kids to have the library experience, but I can give them storytime at home right? Lol,its just so hard taking them all. My 2 year old has an obsession with a couple of turtles they have on the counter and he will NOT leave them…..ever. I have to drag him out kicking and screaming everytime. So I just request books online and run in to pick them up when I have time. Sometimes that means a lot of late fees!
Going to the library is always so stressful for me–my boys always seem so loud and never seem to stay together. I applaud you that you take your sweet babies and that they are able to enjoy some time with shelves and shelves of books. I think your wonderful children should make a mess of those books they have been working on(to share with the librarian and their patrons) and pick some beautiful flowers and share some spring with her. I think it would be gratifying to place a smile on her face and share God’s love with your sweet Little Ones and your librarian.
That was really funny, and it did not make you look silly for telling story, better off your chest with us than frustrated and growing more annoyed every time you see her. Next time you go to her floor, you will have all of us breathing down you neck to hear what outrageous comment she utters !!!
You make me laugh – I can just picture you and the kids at the library – baby on board, the whole lot. I live that life too 🙂 It’s funny how people feel the need to poke, adjust, comment on babies in slings isn’t it? I’ve had a couple of warnings about how dangerous they are ….
Your Librarian sounds a bit down in the dumps – poor old thing, I wonder if she had kids herself?
I love it when all the kids are nestled at the table making stuff too – it have to stop myself from thinking “oh, this is so perfect” or something like that – because when I do – I no sooner turn around to see someone poking someone with a pencil or shoving someone out of the way because they’re too close …
Haha our library is like this too – and we have a very friendly security guard who has such a funny fussy manner she makes most of the other mums uncomfortable (but we discovered after many years that she’s just a granny who loves babies and keeps her eyes on the kids because she wants to help the mums out – she isn’t waiting to pounce on my unruly monkeys after all)! A few weeks ago she caught my toddler as she was about to leave the library (which is on a main road) and I was so grateful for her attentiveness then; it’s a rare person these days who will “dare to” put a gentle hand on a child’s shoulder to stop them running into danger, too.
This was just hilarious! Sorry your library isn’t more child friendly, but it does make for a great story! 🙂
It’s so hard to go to libraries that don’t feel child-friendly (imagined or not). Where we use to live (DC) the libraries had great kids programs and some of the librarians were just wonderful. There was one, tho, that was obviously not thrilled with kids, canceling storytime one day when the two-year-olds wouldn’t sit quietly and not move. Now, where we are (VA) the closest library has a rather stern librarian who is currently enforcing a 1-kid-per-adult storytime rule. So if I want to take both of my children, I have to hire a babysitter to go with me. Additionally, you have to stand in line for 1/2 hour about an hour prior to the start of it in order to be admitted. So we go across town to one close to my oldest’s school; the librarian there LOVES kids, making an effort to learn all the littles names and interact with them in and out of storytime. It makes all the difference in the experience. We feel welcome and my girls feel special. It’s awesome and really brings home how one or two peraon’s attitudes can make such a difference in other’s lives.
Too funny Ginny! If she is who I think she is, she really does mean well. That’s just her way. She is always overly helpful if you need help and full of knowledge about mamas and babies!!! I actually boycott that library because it is soooo not toddler friendly. I only go when I have holds to pick up. I have ventured to the other 2 libraries with all 3 little ones and the fact that they are more toddler friendly makes a world of difference!!!
Sometimes it’s difficult to understand and accept what others say or do. As a Christian, I feel we can’t control others but we can control how we react to others and did so with excellence. A soft answer always turns away wrath, right?
I meant to say “you” did so with excellence:-)
Well, I was laughing at the “hospitalization” as melodrama at its finest, but then… death!?! And the poor victim knew nothing of it all! Your librarian has a theatrical flair.
hey, i just thought of something! maybe she thinks you are just a super young mom who could clearly use some advice! LOL you do sport the young look. i bet that’s what it is. she is thinking this poor young teen mom must need help! now it all makes sense 🙂
Okay, but she makes Lori feel the same way….
hmmm, looks like my theory is flawed. no offense, lori!!
“Throughout this conversation I am quite sure that the gentleman in question is sitting in the next room perusing the magazines unaware that he has just made such a narrow escape.”
Best line.
You have a great attitude and are a good storyteller too.
I assure you that this particular librarian adores you and your children, but comes across as a grouch (and she is an alarmist for sure.) Yesterday I locked myself out of the house and sent Molly and Istra over to fetch the key. They brought the key out and she followed with two books which she sat down and read so sweetly to the girls! She is tired and in pain, but doesn’t have the luxury to not work right now. She is sad and lonely and her faith, though so strong, is not completely holding her up. I am so bummed that she makes the library unpleasant for you! I too have had every part of my parenting “adjusted” by her, lovingly! She means well and I hope someday she does something terrific for you and your children…
Well, I can remember being with my mom at the Bell’s store in the 1960’s, when I was 5 or 6, and running full tilt around the aisles, when I ran into and flattened a crippled woman wearing those horrible polio braces on her legs and using those awful metal crutches. I don’t remember if I got a spanking or not, but I got hollered at but good. And to this day the memory of knocking that woman down makes me squirm with unease. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
In my experience adults who are that uptight and controlling do not have children of their own, so their expectations are unrealistic and as in this case – laughable! I loved the part about the baby carrier advice, and I love that you can laugh about it all!
Being able to see the humor in these situations is a gift! It’s okay to feel irked though too! Bless. The children’s area is, after all, for the children …
When I was slinging/backpacking babies it would have really upset me if anyone reached out without getting my permission first to adjust the baby/carrier! That’s actually dangerous, I feel. The one doing the babycarrying needs to do the adjusting/positioning as they are the one who knows how it ‘feels’ when baby is sucure and settled. (I mean, maybe sometimes we ask for help, right?, with getting things sinched up and so on, but still: we ask).
I have run into women like that, but fortunately not at our library. Our kids love our library and our librarians are pretty hands off, being mostly busy at the check-out desk. The only time I’ve seen someone step in is when a child is screaming or crying loudly and one of the ladies asks the mom to take the howler outside. We do live in a small town where everyone knows everyone else so maybe that has something to do with it. One of the librarians is a hippie type and always recommending homesteading books to me (she’s not a homesteader, but one day she’d like to be). The head librarian is a member of our parish and we’ve seen her kids grow up. I’m not by any means a gregarious person, but I try to engage in personal conversation with all our librarians, so I get to know them as persons and vice versa. It’s what you do in a small town.
But I did have to remind myself about old ladies and patience this weekend which I spent on the road with my mother. My mother learned how to drive late in her middle-age and she is a nervous and terrible driver. She nearly drove me batty telling me when to turn, what lane to get in, to slow down, etc., etc. I really had to bite my tongue. It wouldn’t have done any good to snap at her and it would have just hurt her feelings since she was trying to be “helpful” (out of fear, of course). And it’s a reminder to me not to nag my daughter when I’m the passenger.
Dear Ginny…I can always count on an entertaining escapade or humorous anecdote when I visit. I’m sorry you have incurred the wrath of the uptight, well-meaning (ahem) librarian, but surely she needs to see how she’s giving a bad rap to all those wonderful librarians out there. Ah, well, she clearly needs some righteous control in her life. Good for you, Ginny, for seeing the funny side of it all!
xo Jules
Oh Ginny, such a funny story! I know this librarian and I agree that she is trying to be helpful, but in her own eccentric way which sometimes comes across as rather blunt! Libraries are full of so many odd people (at least ours is) so I think she fits in rather well. And you know, if you are looking for a children’s book about herbal remedies during colonial times (for example), she’s your lady. Isn’t it kind of great that our kids are exposed to such hilarious people?
we had a librarian very similar to that. i finally figured out which days she was there and we would go on her off days. made the whole trip so much nicer. i do tend to pre-order my own books because the kids are usually done with the library by the time i get to look for books. lol
Oh my goodness–how did you not collapse in a fit of laughter?!
I did while writing this last night!!!
Lol, I love the librarian story! We have one of those too at our local Barnes & Nobles. I also had an experience at the library here where the librarian asked my 2 yr old to be more quiet. two! I hardly ever go there now, unless I have no children with me. Yikes.
Ginny, that’s awful. Why does a person that lacking in the understanding of kids and their ways work in the Children’s Dept?
This reminded me of a time when Eben was a baby, a older lady scolded me for not having a hat on him, telling me that he was too young to be outside with out a hat and that most of a body’s heat is lost through the head, that he would “catch his death of cold” because I didn’t have a hat on him. …We were INSIDE of the grocery store and I had taken his hat off of him while we shopped.
My response to her was to wave the hat at her and I said ” Excuse me, but I don’t recall asking for your opinion. Maybe you should mind your own business.” That did the trick.
Sometimes even if people think that they are teaching us a life lesson, or helping us with their knowledge, sometimes they need to understand that it is not their place.
I really don’t know why strangers feel the need to parent our kids for us. It doesn’t make me thankful for their insight, it makes me more firm in my own ways.
I would totally do the preordering too, I don’t blame you. And I adore the photos with this post, your babes sure do seem to adore books and all of the learning that you do with them. Good job Mama.
Whew… I am so glad that gentleman was ok!! 😉 My recommendation to you? Complain to the library. I imagine they would like to know you feel harassed.
I’m not sure why that woman is a children’s librarian, as she obviously can’t deal with normal children’s behavior! Sheesh.
Oh my goodness, what a crazy story! I’ve always been a little frightened of librarians… its like we’re trespassers or something.
I think some libraries have as an employment requirement that their employees be sour, grouchy and sometimes plain rude! We have one or two of those. This story was realllly funny though!
I did the same thing, requesting books online, when we homeschooled- and then the librarian would sort of sigh everytime she had to go get my giant stack of books (they kept them behind the counter). I eventually gave up and started using another library. This one has awesome children’s librarians!
That is hilarious! What is it with librarians? We have one at our library, she always makes me feel like I’m in trouble- could be that she was also my librarian in middle school. Lucky for us, we have an AWESOME children’s librarian- she is young and vibrant and has crayon red hair. Plus she dresses really cool. The kids think she’s rad.
Once again, I love little Bea. She and my Parker seem to be so much alike- so full of life!
I think you need to read Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen.
While I am sure it was NOT funny at the time, you just made me laugh REALLY loudly! We, too, have a children’s librarian who makes me feel as if she thinks I don’t know what I am doing. I took my oldest to her story hour for a season and she would always have crafts to go with the story. Cookie cutter crafts where everything was pre-cut and ready to be put together. I would let my son assemble it as he chose, and she was constantly coming over and trying to make him do it just so. Needless to say, we don’t go to story hour anymore, but we do visit the library regularly and I try to be as friendly as possible. Thank goodness she has never accused one of my children of nearly killing the elderly patrons 🙂
I have given up trying to do any school at the library only because the librarians are the noisiest people there! Not even hushed tones. Long conversations in loud conversational voices. Seems there is no winning at the library!
Luckily we have a drive-thru window for reserves. Win- win!
A drive-thru!!?? SCORE! I’m jealous.
Oh my word! You describe our library visits so well. . .. !
Sorry about your librarian! I can’t abide people who make me feel like I’m ‘in trouble’, especially at my age. I think Beatrix is much more likely to enhance people’s health by cheering them up with her exuberant spirit and joie de vivre! (PS your paper loving artists might be interested in a trading card swap of Marian artwork that I am hosting – details are at my blog or send me an email. That cool envelope book looks like it might be ATC sized.)
That is very funny Ginny! Our librarians are the unhappiest people ever, they always send me into a spiral contemplating different reasons for them to be sooo unhappy. (My mom was a librarian, she loved it). But I have given up, it cannot possibly have anything to do with me or my kids. Even though they keep on forgetting that they should wait behind the yellow line until she tells them to come up to the counter…
we have been at the library too this week – so good that Larkspur loves her books and paper so much! http://2plus1dotme2.wordpress.com/2012/05/29/adelaide-toy-library/
Your children’s librarian sounds terrible. My children are always running around in the children’s department. It’s set up that way, with lots of play areas and reading areas and displays to look at (and play with!). And the librarians love it.
They know that in the grown-up part of the library they have to walk and speak quietly and stay next to me, but even still…they’re two and three. They don’t always remember. The adult-section librarians are OK with that, too.
Never mind “shouldn’t work in the children’s area” – your librarian sounds like she shouldn’t be allowed to work with the public at all… xo
Does your librarian have a sister who lives in France? I think she might, and she just might be working in our library!! I now refuse to take my kids there, so unfortunately I am denying them an experience that I had alway intended to give them (I love books and have fond memories of the ‘smell’ and the books at our town library). You see we also have a toy section in our library, which is right next to the 1-2 year old book section. But there is this TOTAL silence rule, and I mean total silence!! not even playing quietly will do. I have pointed out to the librarian that playing kinda generates a little noise, especially with small children, but there’s no changing her or her rules!
Ginny-how is it that you run in to the craziest people and end up with the funniest, I mean FUNNIEST, stories EVER, to tell???? Your so lucky. I mean blessed. 🙂
This is hilarious! This can’t be the librarian that goes to our church?
I have two problems with libraries that keep me from them and keep me buying used books off Amazon and garage sales. First I can’t ever ever return a book on time. So by the time I pay off my fees, I have spent at least $4.00 and that the price of a used book off Amazon. Second is the same as you with the babies flinging books off shelves twice as fast as I can pick them up. Analee finally reached the age where she stopped that, just at the same time Jude started it.
no ugly looks from the librarians as far as I can tell. Wow, she really has it in for you!
Seriously? I would have spoken directly to the man himself rather and asked HIS opinion (since it involved him) and not some librarian’s perception of the whole situation…
…on the other hand…maybe the poor librarian has nothing better to do with her time and is unhappy. Pray for her. Don’t we all get in those yucky moods, say things we aren’t supposed to and interpret what someone else says or does wrongly?
I’m glad you can laugh about this.
We have a woman like that at one of the Op shops that I USED to go to. She made me feel awful every time I went in there. And I’ve also had the toddler who likes to pull all the books off the shelves and put them on the floor routine for about 6 years now . . I completely understand you pre-ordering your books, but good on you for continuing to go in despite her attitude.
I think your librarian has read one to many mysteries! Please know that not all of us are as critical as she appears to be. Although I’m a librarian in the adult section, children pass through and look for books and movies with their parents everyday. Rest assured that not once have we experienced a fatality as the result of a toddler being excited to be at the library!
I’m sorry that you have a horrible children’s librarian. We have the best ones ever! Miss Cindy is so funny and wants EVERYONE to be involved. So, storytime is books, dancing, playing, singing, activities and a snack – every week. She is so enthusiastic that the kids get to pick what to do to her if the library meets the summer reading program. Last year, two of the choices were making her eat sauerkraut ice cream or have a bucket of chocolate pudding dumped on her head. The kids all give her a hug every time we go to the library and can’t wait to go back.
I wanted to be a librarian once, but then I learnt, liking people and books were not necessarily conducive… I think your very brave Ginny,
oxox
Surely Beatrix is not the only real child that visits the children’s section? I don’t blame you for feeling a little paranoid and unable to fact the trip weekly!
What a librarian! Have you heard the Madame Librarian song from The Music Man musical? There’s an inspirational example for causing noise in the library: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Toq-O0H1xpk .
Why, oh why does she work in the children’s area? I really dislike when people treat others like that. I mean really. Bea does not appear to be a serial killer looking for her next hapless victim to trip and send off for hip replacement. UGH