19 Comments

Fascinating and brilliant, Alison. I worked in a government agency for a while, and the librarian was like you. I'd put in a request for research done on X, in which I was myself an expert, and she invariably came up With a list of papers or books I had never heard of.

It's unusual for people to say you've done a great job, but you do! I always thanked "my" librarian because she not only saved me time, she made me better at my job and, perhaps nearly as important, made me LOOK better at my job 😀

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Searching is like solving a constant puzzle, and it’s incredibly satisfying even without the thank yous!

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While I only used your services once, I know Dr. Miller has, and I know he has a good things to say (in his own way). I'm glad you're there for all the health specialists!

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Dr. Miller has expressed his appreciation in his way! (Once he forgot my name, early on, and he blurted “hey library girl” to get my attention in the stairwell 😂)

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Brill.

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I could imagine actually sitting in your office as I was reading this. Wonderfully written description of your daily work life. I still think you should write a book.

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I’m not NOT trying to write a book, I just need to actually focus…

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Can't wait to read it!

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A friend of my wife's is a special librarian of denim blends for VF (or Kontoor, or whatever they call themselves now).

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Wonderful reminder to remember the library at my workplace as a resource. Thank you.

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Thank you for sharing the back story. I wonder what it would be like as a prison librarian...

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Prison libraries have a small but thriving community out there! Their research is fascinating and often heartbreaking.

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Can I say that, now over in another part of government, I reallyreallyreallyreally miss special librarians. 😭

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I mean…if you were to contact a certain special librarian, she might look the other way when it comes to your affiliation…

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🥺👉🏻👈🏻

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Alison, this my favourite read of this week so far - what an absolutely fascinating post! Awesome, fascinating and wonderful - I learned so much. 😊

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Thanks Rebecca! Not described: me pulling my hair out sometimes!

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"People have their patterns and preferences" and "When the work of the library is veiled by nature, it can make it hard to feel like you’re doing anything at all" struck home. Such a great post!

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