Bookish Betsy sings the praises (if slightly out of tune) of life as a librarian

I have vivid memories of being young, swaying backwards and forwards on my swing bellowing away, conjuring up in my mind a great crowd of admirers gathered to hear my song. I was (in my imagination at least) a famous singer – Tiffany or Cyndi Lauper – working the audience with my wacky hair and groovy clothes. Or, on other occasions, I was in front of the mirror practicing my arabesques wowed into paralysis by my own splendor – surely one day I would be Margot Fonteyn at the Winter Gardens. In my imagination I would be all sorts of things when I grew up, but never, ever in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself as a…..librarian.

Why, I wonder, when my childhood nickname quickly became Bookish Betsy, did it not occur to me that being around books all day would be my perfect vocation?

I guess I didn’t know then what I know now: that being a librarian is really good fun!!! That apart from all those amazing books, as a librarian I get a window into a rich, colourful world of art, culture and inspiration. That as a librarian I work alongside some of the most interesting, humorous, innovative people, with the most diverse array of hobbies. That as a librarian, everyday I meet interesting new people with stories to tell. And best of all, as a librarian my darling little polka dot mary-jane’s don’t look too out of place – in a library, I am free to just be myself. That’s something to sing about!

Next week is Library week and we are celebrating libraries and librarians, so do make sure you pop in and see us.

Bookish Betsy