When I took up Library science as a profession, I had envisioned a calm and serene atmosphere where students sit quietly and read and I have to only help them choose books. My vision of my job was a quiet room full of students where I would hush the students occasionally and get on with my other library responsibilities. In my imaginary Library I never raised my voice and my students were very obedient, an illusion encouraged by every Library I visited in my school and college days.
Reality hit me hard when I joined as Senior Boys Librarian. I came face to face with young adults who considered patting hard on back as very macho. Being boisterous is a way of life for them. They considered the library period as their connecting time with their friends and to vent their frustration on different situations in their life and even to read aloud joke books and laugh with friends. They relax and chat with me and with their friends. They make it their stress busting period.
Reality hit me hard when I joined as Senior Boys Librarian. I came face to face with young adults who considered patting hard on back as very macho. Being boisterous is a way of life for them. They considered the library period as their connecting time with their friends and to vent their frustration on different situations in their life and even to read aloud joke books and laugh with friends. They relax and chat with me and with their friends. They make it their stress busting period.
So, I adjusted my reality and way of thinking and tried to accommodate the very impressionable, loud young adults who walked in and out of library as if they owned the place. I enjoyed mentoring those 3 or 4 students in each class who really wanted to read and having lively interactions with the rest of the class on whatever that catches their interest. I find satisfaction in the quiet moments when a newly acquired popular book lights up a quiet reader’s face with joy or I track down a particular book they wish to read.
My students keep my mindset young. They try to test all the boundaries that I place around and flex their wings. They try all trending harmless pranks and keep me on my toes. They help me to have an agile mind to keep one step ahead of them. I like the continuous hustle and bustle, quite chattering, the sly glances after each prank they have played. Yes, it’s like a student said, “Ma’am, Library is our happy place”.
Rajitha Rajesh
Libarary – Senior Wing
