Friday, August 10, 2007

Booktrucks, Crashing

Every once in a while, a librarian will experience the infuriating and humiliating experience of turning over a cart loaded with books while patrons are watching. There are several acceptable ways to handle this situation:
  • Fake an epileptic seizure.
  • Pretend that you did it in a fit of rage. (Stomp a few of the books for dramatic effect.)
  • Jump aboard the cart and ride it out the front door.
  • Walk away and leave it for someone else to clean up.
  • Swear.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

how about just a simple announcement: "Cleanup in Aisle 4, Science and Nature"?

Anonymous said...

I find that lighting a match just after this happens makes a powerful statement... Especially in the Children's Dept.

Anonymous said...

Like I need to topple a booktruck at work to swear...

Anonymous said...

oh man, this is so true. I usually just say 'whoops!' ver dramatically, look delighted and clean it up. After that, I push the book truck on, swearing to myself.

Julia said...

This is just one more reason to go totally electronic, baby.

maryt/theteach said...

I have to agree with cathleen. Totally electronic. Librarians, you'd better learn the computer...

Kevin Musgrove said...

Great God in the morning! Go totally electronic!?!

The computers crash far more often than the booktrucks!!!

Unknown said...

Man oh man. Most of the libraries I've worked at consider this a "rite of passage" in tech services and/or circulation. Usually accompanied by your coworkers standing around and watching you clean up while swearing profusely.

Eva G. said...

Can you blame it on your imaginary friend???

Kevin Musgrove said...

We're staffed *entirely* by imaginary friends most days.

Anonymous said...

Maybe a few imaginary friends or gremlins?

Always love the 'scream' when a cart topples over.

SLC said...

Hey. I thought I was the only one this happened too.

Anonymous said...

This is one of the good things of working in a University library. The clerck are taking care of the bookcarts!