VISITORS

Last week I had two very interesting visitors come by the library – but totally different situations.

The first visitor was a gentleman that came in, dressed in army camouflage fatigs, accompanied by our admissions counselor, CE. The visitor was in the army reserve (which is “next door”). So since he was “in the area” he wanted to stop by. I was confused at first. Why would someone in the army reserve want to visit a bible college/seminary library?

He talked about wanting to do whatever he could to help us. (the army???) He was glad to be able to meet the library director (Okaaaaay. Ego stroking, but still puzzled). He handed me his business card. It wasn’t “army”. It said “Bxxxx Seminary”. He’s in the army and also attends Bxxxx seminary??? How does he think he can help us with anything? Then I read “library director”. Ahhhhhhhhhh! He’s the librarian from Bxxxx seminary visiting his colleague in our college/seminary library - moi!!!!

Oh, NOW I get it!! Duh! When it finally clicked I finally managed to have a descent conversation with him – I think. I hope, anyway!!!

Visitor #2. CE also brought this gentleman. They wanted to know if the library had a certain book. I said I didn’t know but we could find out. We went over to the OPAC and looked it up. Yup we had it. The visitor said it was probably a spiral bound copy and he had a better bound copy he would give us. We located it and found it was indeed spiral. He had also written a second book so he ended up giving us a copy of each.

But you need some background information. When grandpa died, mom found information her mother had recorded regarding her family tree. She had all her great grandparents except her paternal line, the Trasks. Within one generation the information had been lost as to who her great-grandparents were. So I decided to find out for myself. I had always been interested in our family and family tree. As a result (“long story short”) it led to library jobs and eventually my MLS degree and present position.

Back to the present moment: I had been given the title of the book and that it was by Paul Trask. Hmmm. Trask, huh? I made a mental note of that, while we talked. As we stood at the OPAC looking up the title, this gentleman, who still had not been introduced to me said, oh by the way, I’m Paul Trask!!! Well THEN the floor just about pulled out from under me! Of course they saw my reaction and wondered (I'm sure) why that was so striking to me.

Well, after I pulled my jaw up off the floor, I gave him a very short explanation. He had another appointment, but later came back to my office where we did a little bit of family-information-swapping. AND, he lives in the metro area where I work! How cool is that! I don’t think we’re related, but then again I have a preconceived idea where my Trasks came from, but NO I have not been able to find the missing names, either, so I can’t prove my presupposition either. But – you never know which turned over stone will tell! (Be still my heart!)

My cataloger

Tomorrow is my cataloger's last day. She gave me her notice two weeks ago. I am not surprised at her leaving as she has finally another job that pays more than here. She did try at three other positions on campus and didn't get them. This one is off campus. She has been here just over 2 years. So now that I have her to the point of being a valuable employee, she is gone. Until my institution comes to the place of understanding the hard work, the learning curve and the value of the library staff, this is going to be a common place thing. We are shooting ourselves in the foot and the people that can change that do not understand. So now I have to go back to square one of finding, hiring and training yet another cataloger who is willing to accept what we pay, but do the job that we need to do. Where is that balance between stepping out in faith to trust the Lord to meet our needs (financially) and being fiscally responsible. Or is it that, in the name of being fiscally responsible, we are too tight with the money? If that is the case where is our faith? Are we not instructed to do our very best for the Lord? How can we when we are held back by others over us from doing so? I want to be a part of an organization that wants the very best, steps up to the plate to provide it and trust the Lord to do his part.

Fall Fun Facts - Pumpkins

Pumpkins are a fruit.
Pumpkins are 90% water.
Pumpkins originated in Central America.
Pumpkins range in size for under 1 pound to over 1000 pounds.
Pumpkins available in October in the United States are 80% of the crop.
Pumpkins were once recommneded for removing freckles and curing snake bites.
Pumpkins, in colonial times, were used as an ingredient for the pie crust not the filling.

source: Emery-Pratt newsletter, Oct/Nov 2007