My job

There are periods of boredom however, skull-crushing, mind-numbing boredom. And Summer is the worst. As you can imagine Summer in a University library doesn't exactly buzz. You might think that's a bonus, especially if you've got your nose to the grindstone. But you'd be wrong. Unless you've worked somewhere when at times there is almost nothing to do you can't appreciate the sense of time creeping, the feeling of lethargy, the sheer physical dullness in the atmosphere and the sense of something like panic that sets in at the thought of yet another hour of trying to shelve from empty shelves or an hour standing at a desk waiting and hoping for readers to appear. But that only lasts two or three months until, suddenly, they're back and the year starts again with its moments of frantic effort and spells of inactivity.

There are a lot of misconceptions about library work - many of which I was guilty of before I started working in one. Most people think of it, when they think of it at all, for it seems to have this reputation as dull, as a nice, sedate almost dainty job. Well, think again. At the sharp end it's hard, heavy and sometimes dangerous work. And if you think I'm kidding abut the dangerous part how about the risk of a heavy metal, very springy, hanging bookend flying out from the shelf into your face which has nearly happened to me more than once or a five or six pound book dropping on your head or your foot - both of which actually did happen to me. There are a lot of bruises, paper cuts - and dust.

For all that I have to repeat I enjoy it. When it's not dead quiet it's hectic, the time flies and you get a good feeling of accomplishment, It's a nice place to work, the students - mainly - are great and so, with one or two exceptions, are the academic staff we have to deal with. And there's a good feeling among the staff, especially among us lowly, squashed at the foot of the page in the corner aides.

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