Librarian Breaking the Rules

Today I went to my local public library to find some books for a class project on international cookbooks and pick up a book I had on hold, Stieg Larsson's The Girl Who Played With Fire (can't wait to read it!).

When I found the books I needed, I walked up to the check out counter and there were three people working at the desk, one working with a patron and the other two checking in or processing books.  I saw the roped off area where the line was supposed to begin, but since no one was in line and two staff members weren't busy with patrons, I decided to stand near the two who weren't busy to save myself a few steps and not look like a moron for going to stand in the right area when there was no line.  After a few awkward moments and other patrons getting in the "real" line, one of the staff members called on me.  She sort-of nicely said to me, "Just so you know, the real line starts over there."  I was so embarrassed!  What kind of (future) librarian breaks the rules and doesn't stand in line?  Shame on me!  I was over-reacting a little because I had a crappy day, but I resolved never to not stand in the line ever again. 

The interaction ended better than it began: the staff member commented on one of my books and we exchanged some pleasantries.  And I did get some awesome books for my project so the experience wasn't a total loss.

Another library experience I had that surprised me with the same feeling of guilt and inadequacy as a librarian was while I was volunteering at the other public library in town.  The librarian I worked with when volunteering would often bring cupcakes and other baked goods into the office for her co-workers, and would always offer me one at the end of my shift. 

The first time this happened, I ended up sneaking it out of the library, trying to hold the cupcake with one hand and it with the other.  It had coconut on the top, and I kept dropping little bits of coconut everywhere on my way out of the building.  I just wanted to take the cupcake home to enjoy it as it deserved, but for the next day or so I kept worrying that I had gotten the librarian in trouble or been a bad influence on all the patrons who had seen me leaving the library with a cupcake in hand.  I guess I was afraid it would start a cupcake anarchy or something. 

Of course, nothing came of it.  But the next time the librarian offered me a cupcake, I told her of my qualms and she escorted me out of the building using the staff staircase and walking me to the entrance.

Hopefully I can start being a better influence on library patrons from here on out!