Librarians, Share With Us Some Surprising Secrets About The Job

Ever since I was a kid, libraries have been extremely important to me. Not only did they help shape my love for books and reading, but they also made me feel safe. I used to wait for my parents to pick me up at the school or public library, and the librarians always made sure to check up on me, read with me often, and recommend books. I think being a librarian is one of the coolest jobs ever, but I've often wondered: If you're a librarian, what is a challenging or surprising aspect of the job that people might not be aware of?

A scene from "Indie Film Girl" shows a person in a packed library speaking. Caption reads, "I assume you're familiar with the Dewey decimal system?"
FILMRISE / Via giphy.com

Maybe people think being a librarian isn't a super stressful job when, in reality, you have to deal with a bunch of entitled and rude people all the time — all while having to complete the daily tasks of the job and follow library rules.

Margot Robbie dressed as a librarian with glasses and a cardigan, holding a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture in a library setting
NBC / Via youtube.com

Maybe people might be surprised by how few resources libraries actually get and how librarians are always expected to deliver (and sometimes over-deliver!) despite budget cuts and generally low wages.

RuPaul, in a patterned suit and red glasses, reads "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" aloud in a library setting
NBC / Via youtube.com

Or maybe working in a library isn't as calming and "easy" as some people might think. You have to do collection development, cataloging, program planning, and other responsibilities that most people wouldn't be wary of.

Screenshot of GIPHY webpage showing a GIF from CTV titled "Library Trust Gif by CTV." A person wearing glasses makes a shushing gesture
CTV / Via giphy.com

No matter the case — whether you're a school librarian, work at a public library, or even volunteer — I want to know the behind-the-scenes of the job! If you want a chance to be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post, share your story with us in the comments, or you can anonymously submit it using this form!