My coworkers: a key

"Professionals" (i.e. degreed librarians)

The Boss—90% of the time I have absolutely no problems with the boss. I respect her a great deal and understand (some of) the pressure she’s under from all sides. She’s interesting, funny, and a good manager.

The Schedule Nazi—Need I say more? She’s actually a pretty nice person, but ditzy as they come. She has been known to be intensely passive-aggressive with staff members, particularly Miss W. and Techie. I don’t want anything to do with her scheduling duties, so I mostly don’t complain out loud to her. In the past year, she has gotten more and more flaky about scheduling, especially her own hours. She is also the Children’s Room Nazi, and the Peekaboo Internet Scout. [in the reflog, she is Librarian K]

Crazy Cat Woman—Every library seems to have one. Ours is the biggest hypochondriac in the world. She’s over 60, single (divorced for many years), now dating someone, has lived in an apartment for decades purchased a condo in the summer of 07, and her dad drives her everywhere she needs to go. You do the math. She’s also detail-oriented and picky, and will talk your ear off at the drop of a hat. [in the reflog, she is Librarian F]

Techie Librarian—A.k.a. the Ordering Fiend, depending on the day. Most of the time we get along fine, probably 90% of the time, unless we are just totally not in agreement. She has awesome-cute kids, and is now working about 20 hours a week, starting in 2007. [in the reflog, she is Librarian H]

Weight-and-Exercise Man—The youngest librarian on staff, he’s an absolute riot. His work ethic isn't what others on staff expect, but I think he was the best asset we had. He resigned in February 2006 to go work at another library. I’m blaming that partially on Crazy Cat Woman, with whom he shared an office and debated politics. He speaks 3 languages, including Spanish. He is missed a lot, at least by me! [in the reflog, he is librarian N]

Music Dude—Formerly the part-time evening librarian he is now (as of 2007) working full-time. His main responsibility is the YA area, but he also works on the library webpage among other things. He is one of those guys whose outside and inside don’t match: he looks quiet and somewhat boring, but he’s actually a blast and has a fabulous dry sense of humor. [in the reflog he is Librarian D]

Maniac— The cataloger who retired and "willed" me her job. She returns now to sub for the reference staff when we’re short. She doesn’t do anything slowly, and she is consistently sure of herself whether she’s dealing with deaf old women or potential gang fights. She takes no guff off of anyone, but sometimes she gets a little on the annoying side. [in the reflog, she is Sub Librarian, and sometimes Librarian D when I get confused]

A-Man— I'm not sure which list to place A-Man. He is a former page (shelver) who has graduated from college now and is considering what to do with his life. His aim, eventually, is to go to library school, but he's not sure. In fall 2007, he went away to work for Americorps for a couple of years. He may be back.

Andy ILL Tyrant—She started on staff working at the circulation desk, but now has her MLIS (2008). She has picked up the hours that Techie gave up when she went part time, and she also does a LOT of the program planning. She is a lot of fun; We are scheduled together a lot, and she is the Librarian in Charge of the Interlibrary Loan 'stuff', hence her name. She shares Crazy Cat Woman's office; someone has to!

Non-degreed staff (these folks run the circ desk--among other things--with a couple of exceptions)

MEMtech—Works circ, but also does all the item entry for processing new materials. When I’m done with new materials (matching them to records or cataloging them from scratch, and also classing them), MEMtech gets 'em. She is the nicest person in the world, and my best back-up, Woman Friday if you will. She rarely gets angry, never gets annoyed at my frequent flakiness (or doesn’t show it), and remembers every new procedure I've passed along.

Complainer Tech—Somehow this woman thinks I’m her best friend. Gossipy, negative, argumentative, overly-sensitive…. Once MEMtech gets done with item entry, CT does all the labeling before sending the materials out to the circ desk for further processing. We try to keep her out of the public eye; she is (ahem) "easily misunderstood" by patrons. And staff.

V—Used to work for World Book as an editor, now works for us doing all the yucky odd jobs we can come up with. She was born in 1912 but is sharp as a tack. She remembers everyone’s birthday, knows a ton about the high school pages, and is in love with Lance Armstrong. She’s the first person I saw with the LiveStrong bracelet on. I hope to have half the energy and brainpower when I'm 75 that she has now!

Miss W—Head of Circulation, she knows everyone in town. She and The Boss are palsy-walsy, and she’s a huge gossip. I like her, but she pains me quite frequently on a work basis. She’s one of the Gang of Three, probably the leader. Grew up in this town, knows everybody and is the “favorite” storytime leader. She and The Children’s Room Nazi butt heads virtually every day. A h-u-g-e gossip; did I mention that?

The Box Lady—She unpacks all the materials we order, sources them, and generally deals with the jobbers and prepping. She works at the circ desk, has done so for nearly 20 years. She’s a co-leader of the Gang of Three. I’ve never met any woman who can laugh louder than her. She’s a big-hearted woman, and she looks and acts like a leprechaun. Oh, and she’s the Magazine Queen, as well.

Supplies—She orders almost anything we need to replace (or whatever). Consequently, she always has a million notes stuck to her work area. She is the final member of the Gang of Three. I should explain that the Gang vacations together, and one of my pet peeves is that they plan their vacations at the circ desk computers while we're open.

Custodian/Janitor—One of the quietest people I’ve met in this particular job. He used to be the maintenance guy at Sparky’s daycare center when Sparky was 4 or so. He’s lived here in town his entire life, graduating from high school with Classy (see below). Not much to say about him, except he really can fix almost anything.

Quick-Study—Our token Southerner. She’s about 5’6” and 95 lbs., half of which is her hair. She is a kind-hearted person with the self-esteem of a turnip, and smarter than she will admit gradually figuring out her value in the workplace. Like Maniac, she doesn’t do anything slowly, and working next to her tires you out even though you never actually do anything. Her husband is a complete jerk. She works part-time elsewhere so that her family can eat.

South America—Born and raised in Peru, although I think her ethnic background is Italian. In any case, she speaks about 4 languages, including Spanish of course, and brings an interesting cultural point of view to the staff. She used to work for a major airline (in customer relations), and she is smart, liberated, and bossy.

Book Clubber—One of Tthe circ staff person people who isare currently working on her their library degree. I like her: she's funny, smart, erudite, well-traveled and normal. She and Quick-Study and Sout’ Sider work on Mending together, and she does one evening storytime and an adult book discussion.

Sout’ Sider—Our other Spanish-speaking staff member. She is everyone’s mom, and really takes people under her wing, protecting them and advising them as needed. She watches her grandkids during the day and works in the evenings for us, so she's on the go for 13 straight hours every day. She's a hoot.

The Prankster—Did you just find an erotic novel propped up on your monitor? A partially-shaved Barbie doll in your locker? Everyone knows who did it. She also has been known to take pictures of staff members and use them as blackmail for assorted things. Don’t let her know your deepest fear; you’ll be hounded mercilessly, unless your feelings are hurt by it. Started working on her library degree in the fall of 2007.

Classy—This woman apparently can roll out of bed and look like the perfectly clothed and coifed woman, and somehow not make you feel shlumpy or hateful toward her. Her husband is a criminal attorney, so he’s always fun to invite to a party—he tells great stories! Classy is just simply a class act, discrete, kind and unflappable. And smart. And kind.

Teen Catnip—Energetic, fun, and completely not shy about busting up a group of kids by redirecting their attention toward something useful, she has cut back her hours and now (fall '07) works primarily as a 'sub' when others are sick. Too bad: she was excellent with the teens. By spring '08 she has had to give up all her hours.

Argent—Must be the quietest person on staff, Argent hails from (guess) Argentina, but has lived here for several years. She has a preschool son. And that's about all I know about her. I don't think I've ever worked with anyone quieter!

Teener—Replaced Teen Catnip in coordinating after-school drop-in activities for teens, and is much more subdued but equally good with the middle school age group. Has run several programs, but works at times and places that make it hard for me to really get to know her.

Newbet—Shares the same name as someone else on staff, I work with her less than two or three hours a month, and only vaguely know what she looks like. Our staff is getting too big!

[originally posted approx 6/05; updated 3/06, 7/06, 9/06, 3/07, 5/07, 10/07, 4/08]