Here is a post from guest writer, Mom. I just read it on her blog, and decided it was amazing enough to be included on my blog. Here it is!
Mom: I'll have to tell about my experience of trying to get a library card and the "librarian from the dark abyss" (That's a nice name for her) some other time...or maybe I'll try to forgive and forget...
No, I'll just quickly give a synopsis.
"The 100 billion steps to attempt to get a library card:
Drive to Idaho Falls Library.
Be told that since you live in Rigby, it would be cheaper to get a Ririe Library card ($30 vs. $60), which would allow you to also check out books from I.F. Library.
Wait a few months...to the despair of your children.
Finally go to the Ririe library - a room of books smaller than your family room.
Spend $30 on a Ririe library card with the belief that although you never want to return to Ririe library, you can now to go I.F. library.
Wait a month
Go back to the Idaho Falls Library...after a long day of gymnastics...with 9 children, and yes, you forgot the stroller.
Check out lots and lots of books.
Stand in line with excited children
Be told that the policy has just changed (Nov. 1st), and if you have a Ririe Library card, you can only check out 2 books. TWO!
(No, it does not matter that you were told that you could use a Ririe Library card)
Decide (with persuasion from your children) to purchase a $60 I.F. library card.
Go upstairs to the other desk.
Meet the librarian from the dark abyss...(she crawled out for a moment to wait on you, lucky!)
Be told that you need not only your driver's license, you also need mail addressed to you.
Go out to the car and look for mail. Find registration and vehicle insurance with your address on it.
Take it to...her.
Be told that the "board" will only allow utility bills. Or unopened mail with postmarks.
Ask her if she can hold the books for you.
Be told that policy has just changed, and the "board" will only allow you to put your books on hold for...1 hour....
(Luckily she is so strict...so I wasn't able to pull of my crime of going state-to-state to use a false identity to check out books...with my 9 children along. She saw through the ruse.)
Ask what time they close. Be told that they close at 6:00.
Tell librarians that you will try to get back before they close.
Wheel the books back down to the children's library, and ask them to hold them...but only for an hour!
Drive home quickly, with a good discussion with your children about why government-run entities do not have to have customer service. Discuss the benefit of competition in the private sector.
Feed the baby. Tell the kids to make & eat dinner.
Meet husband coming home. Drive quickly back to IF with him.
Get to the library with 2 minutes to spare.
Wait at ....her... desk for over 7 minutes.
Greet her cheerfully as she climbs out of the abyss again.
Be told that "the library closed at 6pm."
Assure her you were there, waiting for her, before 6pm.
Watch as she narrows her eyes and tells you that...she doesn't give out library cards after 5:45.
Politely remind her that she didn't tell you that an hour ago.
Be told that "she can't remember to tell you everything, ma'am!"
(She will not be swayed...she knows a library card thief when she sees one, and she trusts no one!!!!!)
Feel like punching her. Control yourself.
Leave without a library card.
Drive home, thinking of all the things you wish you would have said.
No, I'll just quickly give a synopsis.
"The 100 billion steps to attempt to get a library card:
Drive to Idaho Falls Library.
Be told that since you live in Rigby, it would be cheaper to get a Ririe Library card ($30 vs. $60), which would allow you to also check out books from I.F. Library.
Wait a few months...to the despair of your children.
Finally go to the Ririe library - a room of books smaller than your family room.
Spend $30 on a Ririe library card with the belief that although you never want to return to Ririe library, you can now to go I.F. library.
Wait a month
Go back to the Idaho Falls Library...after a long day of gymnastics...with 9 children, and yes, you forgot the stroller.
Check out lots and lots of books.
Stand in line with excited children
Be told that the policy has just changed (Nov. 1st), and if you have a Ririe Library card, you can only check out 2 books. TWO!
(No, it does not matter that you were told that you could use a Ririe Library card)
Decide (with persuasion from your children) to purchase a $60 I.F. library card.
Go upstairs to the other desk.
Meet the librarian from the dark abyss...(she crawled out for a moment to wait on you, lucky!)
Be told that you need not only your driver's license, you also need mail addressed to you.
Go out to the car and look for mail. Find registration and vehicle insurance with your address on it.
Take it to...her.
Be told that the "board" will only allow utility bills. Or unopened mail with postmarks.
Ask her if she can hold the books for you.
Be told that policy has just changed, and the "board" will only allow you to put your books on hold for...1 hour....
(Luckily she is so strict...so I wasn't able to pull of my crime of going state-to-state to use a false identity to check out books...with my 9 children along. She saw through the ruse.)
Ask what time they close. Be told that they close at 6:00.
Tell librarians that you will try to get back before they close.
Wheel the books back down to the children's library, and ask them to hold them...but only for an hour!
Drive home quickly, with a good discussion with your children about why government-run entities do not have to have customer service. Discuss the benefit of competition in the private sector.
Feed the baby. Tell the kids to make & eat dinner.
Meet husband coming home. Drive quickly back to IF with him.
Get to the library with 2 minutes to spare.
Wait at ....her... desk for over 7 minutes.
Greet her cheerfully as she climbs out of the abyss again.
Be told that "the library closed at 6pm."
Assure her you were there, waiting for her, before 6pm.
Watch as she narrows her eyes and tells you that...she doesn't give out library cards after 5:45.
Politely remind her that she didn't tell you that an hour ago.
Be told that "she can't remember to tell you everything, ma'am!"
(She will not be swayed...she knows a library card thief when she sees one, and she trusts no one!!!!!)
Feel like punching her. Control yourself.
Leave without a library card.
Drive home, thinking of all the things you wish you would have said.
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