OK, I realize that most - well, practically all - of the people reading this not only didn't know that National Library Week was coming, but aren't all that impressed now that they do know.

Such is their loss, because libraries are a lot like people. They come in different sizes, with their own personalities. Sometimes the library, or a department within a library, is a reflection of the person in charge. I know this firsthand, as I've worked in a lot of different types of libraries, since starting out as a work-study student in college. To a certain extent, they are all variations on a theme, there to give their respective audiences a chance for learning, entertainment, and opportunities for improvement.

I was a library user from an early age. My parents were both heavy-duty readers, with pretty varied tastes (an aside here - my father had a subscription to The Congressional Record, and the issues were always in the bathroom. When I went to the library and saw it on a shelf with other magazines and journals, it looked terribly out of place to me...). I would go to the library on a regular basis with one or both of my parents. The library of my childhood was a large building, with about 20 steps to the front door. It was imposing and impressive, and whenever anyone says "library" to me, it is the first picture that comes to mind. During high school, I did a lot of my library work at the public library, mainly because I was afraid of Sister Theophane, the librarian at my school. She presided over the one-classroom-sized library with an iron fist. It's true she was practically deaf, but she would turn up when you least expected her to, ruler in hand, ready to make an example of you. (Not that this ever happened to me, of course... I was just a witness on a couple of occasions...)

On to college, where I had a work-study assignment in the library. I worked on Thursday evenings with the Head Librarian, and on Sundays I worked by myself from 1:00-5:00 p.m. This experience was a true revelation. I had the chance to see things from "backstage" so to speak. Miss Carpino, the Head Librarian, seemed to know every single student by name, and would always listen very intently to whatever lame story was being offered to explain the loss of a book, or why someone shouldn't have to pay overdue fines. But here's the most amazing thing - she BAKED in the library! In the staff area in the back, there was a little kitchenette, which had an oven. Every Thursday evening when I got to work, I would be greeted by the wonderful aroma of cookies, pies, and cakes. She would always insist that I take a break in the evening and "go to the back for a snack." I dutifully followed orders, not wanting be accused of insubordination. There were always 4 or 5 students who would come in and get this funny expression on their face, and say, "How weird, I think I smell cookies..." at which point Miss Carpino would usher them to the back for a sample. Now please don't get me wrong, this aspect of my work-study job was not the sole reason I started to consider a career in library work. But it didn't hurt, either!

So there you have it. The public library, large, looming, majestic. Very quiet inside, and filled with more books than I could ever imagine having at home. The Bookmobile, a library which came to me once a week! High school, Sister Theophane and The Ruler of Death. And then finally, college, where I had the chance to actually see what went on in a library if you worked there, and where Miss Carpino ruled with kindness, benevolence, and really tasty baked goods!