Ah, this takes me back to the days when I worked as a shelver at a busy public library in the middle of Hollywood. The stories I could tell of that place would disabuse people of their library fantasies very quickly...Though, like you, I look back on that time fondly. Thanks for this piece! I really enjoyed reading it.
What a delicious essay for a hot Saturday afternoon. Made me want to slip into the stacks myself, plush carpet and all, and start a secret relationship with whatever book jumps off the stacks….
What a fun story! And spicy!! between memories of the flasher and library sex, a rejuvenated, less traumatized mindfulness seems to have landed in a thin space. Most welcome!
Thanks Claudia. I certainly write about trauma. It’s a big part of my experience. I enjoyed writing this piece as well though. It’s fun to experiment with a longer form too.
Who knew working in a library could be so exciting? Well, I guess librarians probably knew, but thank you for offering the rest of us a taste of the thrill! 😀
I really enjoyed this, Emily. Brought me back to my undergrad days when I worked in the library. The college I went to was expanding the library, so as a student worker I spent a lot of hours shuttling books around on carts to temporary digs. Needless to say, I found some pretty cool nooks and crags that noone frequented. Unfortunately, friend, I would have embarrassed you on Slope Day for I took full advantage of tempting hideaways. Thanks again for the great post!
Ha! Yes, there are a lot of hideaways!😆. We had many student workers at both Olin and Uris. A number of them were from NYC and just sort of lost in Ithaca, a little upstate town. Thanks for sharing, Steve!
I have a similar story to the slope day one in my novel releasing chapter to chapter every few days! Feel free to take a look, there are a lot more stories about my time observing students at a "prestigious school in upstate New York" - the story wont be out for a few week's it is closer to the end of the novel. :)
Ah, this takes me back to the days when I worked as a shelver at a busy public library in the middle of Hollywood. The stories I could tell of that place would disabuse people of their library fantasies very quickly...Though, like you, I look back on that time fondly. Thanks for this piece! I really enjoyed reading it.
Oh, I bet those are great stories. Thanks, Oleg!
What a delicious essay for a hot Saturday afternoon. Made me want to slip into the stacks myself, plush carpet and all, and start a secret relationship with whatever book jumps off the stacks….
Ah, now that’s a fantastic idea. Thanks, Sarah:)
What a fun story! And spicy!! between memories of the flasher and library sex, a rejuvenated, less traumatized mindfulness seems to have landed in a thin space. Most welcome!
Thanks Claudia. I certainly write about trauma. It’s a big part of my experience. I enjoyed writing this piece as well though. It’s fun to experiment with a longer form too.
You told this story so well I could picture it all. That sounds like a memorable job!
Thank you, Tara. It really was. I still miss the people I worked with.
Who knew working in a library could be so exciting? Well, I guess librarians probably knew, but thank you for offering the rest of us a taste of the thrill! 😀
Thank you, Robin. Yes, it can be more exciting than you’d wish at times!
I really enjoyed this, Emily. Brought me back to my undergrad days when I worked in the library. The college I went to was expanding the library, so as a student worker I spent a lot of hours shuttling books around on carts to temporary digs. Needless to say, I found some pretty cool nooks and crags that noone frequented. Unfortunately, friend, I would have embarrassed you on Slope Day for I took full advantage of tempting hideaways. Thanks again for the great post!
Ha! Yes, there are a lot of hideaways!😆. We had many student workers at both Olin and Uris. A number of them were from NYC and just sort of lost in Ithaca, a little upstate town. Thanks for sharing, Steve!
Thanks for stirring up the memories!
No problem!
I have a similar story to the slope day one in my novel releasing chapter to chapter every few days! Feel free to take a look, there are a lot more stories about my time observing students at a "prestigious school in upstate New York" - the story wont be out for a few week's it is closer to the end of the novel. :)
Oh wow! I will take a look. Slope day is certainly an adventure:). Thanks for sharing this with me.