My First Blog & Manifesto

People are never what you expect in the library. Little old ladies are reading the most ruthless crime novels, or toe-curling bodice ripper romances. Librarians – ahem, me – roll up their cardigan sleeves to reveal some serious tattoos. Working in libraries from the North end to the South end of Aotearoa New Zealand, I have bumped into all kinds of library patrons. From the teen secretly printing pregnancy resources and stuffing the papers up their hoodie, to the recently divorced father crying to me and begging for anything to read to take his mind off of his heartache. A day in the life of a librarian has a lot of diversity.

I didn’t plan on becoming a librarian. At university, all I did was read books in coffee shops, acquire countless friends and leave my assignments to the last minute. I knew I couldn’t sit at a desk all day. But little did I know that I would turn out exactly like my father and find a career where I could chat to people all day. It’s strange being an extroverted introvert. I want to read books and I want to talk to people. It was obvious to everyone but me that I would become a librarian.

Libraries are only as meaningful as the communities they serve. It’s become a favourite phrase of mine that libraries are one of our last third places. A third place is a sociology term describing the ‘third’ social environment after the first (being home) and the second (being the workplace). Environments such as churches, cafes, bars clubs, libraries, stoops and parks. It was a term coined by Ray Oldenburg in The Great Good Place (1989). What distinguishes libraries from others on this list is that there are no obstacles to entry: no religious or financial requirements. Anyone can walk into the library and stay for as long as it’s open, for free. Not many other places in twenty-first century society can boast somewhere warm, dry and comfortable to linger without paying a dime. I see it everyday that libraries serve our most vulnerable communities: those facing housing instability, those recently released from prison, refugees, parents, the elderly, the disabled and more. (If you need more convincing on why libraries are epic, please check out this video or read this article.)

Children show pure joy on their faces when they come into the library. I love overhearing a parent, grandparent or caregiver saying, “just ask the librarian”. It makes me feel like human Google when I can point a patron in the right direction, or advise them on their reading or research queries.

It’s a strange time in my life to be writing a blog because I did the romance-novel-trope-thing. I moved to a small town and fell in love. Now I’m planning a marriage ceremony, a new home, I just started a new library position, and for some reason, I’ve started this project too. My reading stats have gone down substantially. But, at the heart of this blog is sustainability, slowness and simplicity. I will be writing about my hyper-fixations, my fascinations and what I call ‘grandma values’ (for instance, being frugal, thrifty, having hands-on hobbies, mending and taking care of things for the future). There will hopefully be many articles forthcoming in their own good time.

I’ve called myself The Laid Back Librarian for many reasons. One, because it is the kiwi way to be chill. Two, because after many years of trying to be perfect and to do things perfectly, I’ve begun to love the little surprises in imperfection. The serendipity of life when I slow down to notice it. When I’m in a rush, and trying to do everything, that is when I lose the beauty of now. It’s an aspirational moniker for me to try to live up to, as well. (Let’s be honest – it also was one of the only free domain names I liked, too.) I’ve come up with four main beliefs of The Laid Back Librarian so you know where I stand, and if you feel the same way, please feel free to stick around.

The Laid Back Librarian Manifesto:

1. I believe in treating all people with kindness. (One of the pins on my lanyard says so, too!)
2. Like all booksellers, librarians and readers alike, I believe that the right book at the right time is like a little bit of magic. A book is a powerful tool, a comfort and a companion.
3. I believe that libraries are a necessary public service, safe haven and third place which protect, reflect and support communities.
4. I believe in active listening and being present with the patrons I interact with (this can be a struggle when things get busy!), responding with understanding, kindness and empathy. I often remind myself to slow down, stop and have the conversation, listen and learn. Because my community is what it’s all about.

Love, The Laid Back Librarian x