The Fate of Mrs. Claus
I got into a text discussion with a friend over the death of Santa Claus's wife.
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Cynical Librarian's Dictionary
Archives (n.) - a place where many librarians belong
Cell phone (n.) - a device that only works when yelled at
Chair (v.) - To position ones self at the head of a meaningless committee
Martha will chair the craft circle committee next year and her position is more crafts.
Computer (n.) - A device that makes fools of us all when we are not paying attention
Donation Box (n.) - A collection of donated items no one wants
Hold (v.) - The process by which a librarian fights with another librarian over the phone for a book neither of them wants
Lost and Found (n.) - A collection of donated items someone may want
Microfilm (n.) - Where newspaper goes to die
Phone (n.) - A device that only works when whispered into very quiet while the other person is in a loud library environment
Reference (n.) - a library service dependent on more questions than answers
Signage (n.) - An invisible creation of information and protection only made visible by a pointed finger
Funding Dilemma, Part 8
"What's the matter? You look back there one more time I think the puppets are going to come to life again," Kiera said as she drove us out of town.
Read MoreFunding Dilemma, part 7
From the cradle to the first research paper, children's librarians are there to usher young minds through the collection.
Read MoreFunding Dilemma, Part 6
I left out the years of wandering, the restaurant jobs in resorts and the girl with the ever changing hair. Nobody needed to know what woke me up at night.
Read MoreFunding Dilemma, Part 5
"I asked my sister to invite you because I have a proposition for the library, Mr. Harker," Amy said while spearing a cucumber and taking a small bite.
"Amy? What kind of prostitution are you into?" Brenda said.
Read MoreFunding Dilemma, Part 4
"Well, that's not good, I said. Brenda's stomps down the stairs echoed through the building
Read MoreFunding Dilemma, Part 3
Some librarians are born bad. Others are made bad by choice or circumstance.
Read MoreFunding Dilemma, Part 2
Our librarian stops the man from burning down the building, but learns his reference librarian has a secret.
Read MoreFunding Dilemma Part 1
The library sat quiet on a Friday morning. The kids were in school, the soccer moms still sipping their coffee at home, and the elderly patrons just leaving after reading the paper and finding their holds. The clock ticked on, matching the click clack of the keys in the computer lab.
Read MoreWhite Elephant Hunting
Warning, this story features granny on teenager violence.
Read MorePatron Spotlight: Melinda "Mellydear" Myerson
"I'm ninety-two years old, and I'm gonna live to be a hundred if the deal I made with the devil works out," she told our librarian asking about her life.
Read MorePanic in the Lab
"Can you help me on the computer?"
He was a little man with thick glasses and a tweed coat. His voice carried him, this deep rumble from a low place, like well-oiled farm equipment.
Read MoreTeen Library Drama
The couple came in the library holding hands. He wore a letterman's jacket, a football patch over the school letter. She had her blonde hair back in a ponytail and held her books in one hand. They fit the image as the perfect teen couple, the jock and the cheerleader preparing for the rest of their lives.
Read MoreThe Library Will Put a Spell on You
"That man over there is sleeping," the woman said. Her finger shook, the little charm bracelet on her wrist jingling.
Read MoreHope on Hold
Placing a hold on a book is a scary endeavour. You don't know when the book is going to show up. It's mostly based on hope. Hope in the system, hope in the library staff, and hope that nobody decides to eat the book. That much hope can only lead to ulcers and visiting your parents on non-holidays.
Read MoreWhy Halloween (2018) is Popular
People are afraid of the dark. Maybe not always the physical, non-light variety, but the empty cold nothing that comes with lack of knowledge.
Read MoreVoice in the Stacks - Patreon Story for Halloween
"Mommy?" the child's sing song, a little low note, came again.
I walked around the desk, hands in pockets, strolling. I was sure I would hear the mother give a reassuring "What?" or "Yes, baby?" When all that came was another "Mommy?" I turned my wander that way.
Read MoreWeird Weird Library
The circulation desk got cold. Like the top of a refrigerator with a leak kinda cold. I lifted my hand up and wondered what the hell was happening.
Read MoreSave the Last Dance
"I need a place to play my cassettes," the man said. He had liver spots on his shaking hand, the one that held the box. The box rattled with the gentle plastic.
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