Full Moon?

Last week at the library was one of those weeks that sent us all home re-thinking our career choices. One of those weeks where nothing made sense, peculiar events occurred that none of us understood and most of the things that we usually expect in the library didn’t happen at all.
The summer reading program is over. The kids don’t seem to realize that and are still coming in droves. That’s great except that once they get here, they don’t seem to have any purpose but to loiter. Young people are prone to do that. Remember that malt shop on Happy Days? That’s us without the ice cream. Most of the time the staff is delighted to see kids just hanging around, paging through magazines, visiting, playing board games, visiting. Some even read. Last week they were loud and unruly. One group, when confronted, quickly confessed all their library sins and banned themselves from the library. The staff stood looking at one another wondering how this all came to pass…..children who turn themselves in, confess what they have done and assign themselves punishment?
What is going on?
Our custodian was on vacation. We have a lovely lady who has filled in for her in the past. I handed the sub a set of keys, thanked her effusively, once again grateful that she’s willing to add us to her schedule. The first day her door key wouldn’t work. Fixed that. The second day she got into the building in good order, but her key to the custodian’s supply closet didn’t work. She could empty wastebaskets but not much else. By the time we got it all straightened out, it was time for Shelly to come back to work.
I tried to do some tidying up of our computer patron files. That is the information you provided when you applied for a library card. I worked a couple of days on some cards that had messed up addresses. Since we are not perfect typists, we do make the occasional error. That went fairly smoothly, so I thought I’d run through the library cards and eliminate everyone who hadn’t used their card in five years.
When I fill out the report to the state library every year, there is this question: “How recently were patron records reviewed and brought up to date?” Boy, I thought if I zip through and delete those unused library card files, I could answer that question proudly this year! When I set about configuring a report to provide a list of unused cards, I found that I would have 1497 pages of names. The state report is due in Des Moines by October 1st, so I realized that I wouldn’t have time to work through 1497 pages of folks who have died or moved away or otherwise stopped using their library cards. I consulted with the library director in Algona who is many decades younger than I and more than a little more familiar with our computer system. Kyle guided me through the report over the phone and it was reduced to 177 pages. I’m hoping that I may live long enough to get this project done after all.
I encountered some young’ns trying to figure out how the open/closed sign works on the library door. I gave them a quick demonstration. One of the young ladies eyed me seriously and asked “Do you own this library?” I wasn’t sure whether that was a compliment or an accusation, so I gave her a quick, two sentence civics lesson about tax payer supported institutions.
Several mornings last week no one came into the library for the first half hour or so we were open. That always makes me worry that something awful has happened and that no one thought to let us know. We turned on the television. No new wars had been waged, no statewide disasters looming. I suppose our usual bustling group of morning people had all overslept.
Long about Friday we noticed that a full moon was due to arrive. Was that at the heart of our peculiar week? Must have been. This week is moving along more normally. But just in case, if you are out and about in Humboldt, please stop in to make sure we are all still sane and awake.