I did it. I finally did it. 😬

[AMMeyers]

I finally applied to the local library.

For the last two years, I’ve been wanting to work at the library… or a bookstore, but I don’t live near a bookstore… but they never seem to have a position open. Plus, the last time I tried to apply (about two years ago), I did it in person by giving them my resume… and the lady at the desk quickly looked me up and down, went in the back to talk to someone, then came back and was like, “We’re not hiring.” Really? Because the advertisement is still on the website…

But otherwise, I hadn’t gotten the motivation or the confidence to send in anything. I was going to wait until after Halloween last year, because I went on a vacation, but then my sister’s cat died and then my other sister’s dog died within the same month and I got depressed over that and just decided to keep to where I am because it’s a steady job.

But now I’ve been getting to the point where I’m done. I hate my sleeping schedule. I hate how I barely have a full weekend because of my work schedule (night shift, so I barely get much of a weekend). I’m sick of not being able to reach any of my managers (which I know is common, but I work alone and if something goes wrong, I have to contact them) when I need guidance. There’s barely any communication—we communicate through a book but it doesn’t always do the job and according to some of the other staff, if they have questions or concerns, everyone is out the door instantly.

And tonight was my final straw because I made a comment in the book about how a guest gave a bad review of one of the staff members because she didn’t help him and I mentioned who it was or might’ve been and to pass on that if those problems rise, she has the ability to fix them. She’s our new girl and is also the baby of the group (she’s seventeen, I’m the next youngest at twenty-five). But then one of my managers said to “quit the negativity” in the book and I’m like, “What negativity?” It wasn’t meant to be an opinion. The guy literally told me, “the girl babysitting the front desk told me there was nothing for her to do” (in regards to his broken TV and a broken light). There actually was—get maintenance or move him. Problem solved. Can’t wait to have this conversation with her…

Then they took away the front desk chair because “no one is cleaning and stocking the market.”

Um… I do clean. I may not do all the cleaning but that’s also because it’s not part of my job to clean up the gym or laundry room or fold laundry. That’s why there’s different departments: breakfast person does the main lobby area and there should be laundry attendants to fold laundry. Not front desk.

And for the market, I do stock it if we have stuff to stock it with. But the kitchen has been a disaster as they’ve been redoing some of it and it’s hard to get to specific things in the pantry. I could barely get a can of oatmeal because of the crap in there by the maintenance guys.

And like, what I’m I supposed to do when all my tasks are finished? It takes me roughly 1-2 hours to get it all done. Am I supposed to stand all night? They want us to sit in the back office… but how when there’s no monitor to see the front desk? And they’re saying it looks bad to have a chair at the front desk?! I am so sick of corporate America where people think sitting is lazy. Like office jobs have chairs… how are they not lazy?! It looks bad when there’s no one up front or is sitting in the lobby. UGH.

So all of this caused me to finally send in my application, resume, and cover letter to the library. Maybe I can get out of the hotel industry. I don’t know. It would be nice to be surrounded by books and people who enjoy reading. I know that libraries aren’t all about books and reading material, but still.

[xtayaxx]

@AMMeyers

It would be nice to be surrounded by books and people who enjoy reading. I know that libraries aren’t all about books and reading material, but still.

Of course it would be. You could be the librarian who goes around giving the best recs and you can shhhh all you want
I hope you get it and have lots of fun!!

[BernieRJones]

@AMMeyers

I know that libraries aren’t all about books and reading material, but still.

I hope this goes well for you!! It sound’s like your current job is only creating negative stress and you deserve to get away from that… also yes, being around books all the time is really fun.

I actually currently volunteer in a library and it’s actually been the thing has gotten me back into my love for reading. The temptation of being around books means that I often can’t leave without borrowing one myself

Also on the work side of things… the books are a large part of it (checking out/returning/ re-shelving/ inventorying) but even the things outside of that are pretty easy. Of course different Libraries are run differently, and depending on the size/area/services the library provides then it changes the workload but again the tasks themselves are relatively simple.

[J.L.O]

Definitely need a change of venue.

[DomiSotto]

@AMMeyers

So all of this caused me to finally send in my application, resume, and cover letter to the library. Maybe I can get out of the hotel industry. I don’t know. It would be nice to be surrounded by books and people who enjoy reading. I know that libraries aren’t all about books and reading material, but still

That would be so nice… I know that here in Canada you need to have a graduate degree to be a librarian…

[shakespearian1]

Congrats. I hope you get it. We all deserve our dream job.

[Moonless-Nights]

I hope it goes well. Even if you don’t get the job, at least you had the courage to start looking for a better job. It’s too easy to settle into a pattern where you keep telling yourself that you’ll do this or that tomorrow to make things better, even though taking the first step is never quite as scary as we think it will be.

[AMMeyers]

Um… y’all. I got an interview set for next Friday!

At 8:30 this morning I saw an email saying they were interested and it frickin’ blew my mind. I didn’t even know it would work!

Thank you all so much for the support!

@xtayaxx

You could be the librarian who goes around giving the best recs and you can shhhh all you want

Hahaa always wanted to do that.

@BernieRJones

It sound’s like your current job is only creating negative stress and you deserve to get away from that

The miscommunication is like the main thing I hate the most. Even though I’ve been working there for two years, I’m still learning and working as if I’m new. I truly only had two days of training and that was on the very quietest days. Ever since then, I’ll take notes and continue to learn whatever so I don’t make the mistake again.

But the problem is that I’ll come up to the end of a road on my end and my only solution is to call someone for guidance because how they heck am I supposed to know everything? But then no one answers because I’m working alone in the middle of the night.

Just a few weeks ago, we were incredibly sold out to a point where I couldn’t sell four rooms to people who were expecting to arrive. The shift before me is supposed to cancel it all out so I don’t have to turn expected guests away. But she couldn’t because our manager decided to give people rooms that we didn’t have or extended rooms that weren’t accounted for. Our manager was the one who put us into a pickle and I was the one who had to turn people away and get people mad about it. Not to mention, during one of those nights I was oversold, I had rooms to sell but was afraid of turning more people away so I didn’t sell rooms and I tried calling someone but no one picked up and then I was “yelled at” (the words were in CAPS on the book) about it… like sorry I turned them away. I didn’t know I should’ve because it never happened to me? And it shouldn’t have happened in the first place anyway…

I know I’ll never be away from drama, negativity, or whatnot because it happens everywhere but it would be nice to start fresh.

@BernieRJones

I actually currently volunteer in a library and it’s actually been the thing has gotten me back into my love for reading. The temptation of being around books means that I often can’t leave without borrowing one myself

That is so cool! Hahaaha at least it’s not a bookstore. I’ve heard so many people on TikTok who work at bookstores spend so much of their paycheck on books. So borrowing is better than buying. Hahaha

@BernieRJones

the library provides then it changes the workload but again the tasks themselves are relatively simple.

I was thinking that for the most part. Like I know it’s not going to only be checking out or restocking shelves—there’s cleaning, organizing, etc. involved and while it’s not difficult work, it still can be hard labor and hard on your feet. But simple enough.

@J.L.O

Definitely need a change of venue.

Definitely. I’d love to get out of hospitality. Hate it here.

The only thing I’ll miss, though, are the room discounts or heck, staying at the hotel for free if I have an “emergency.” Those beds are super comfortable!

@DomiSotto

That would be so nice… I know that here in Canada you need to have a graduate degree to be a librarian…

You have to here in the US as well, but that’s for a librarian spot. My spot is the cashier type of person—checking books in and out, restocking stuff, etc. A librarian is the person who manages the library, so they have a whole other set of things they do.

When I was younger, I wanted to see if I could become a librarian but at the time of me looking it up, you had to have a bachelors degree, a driver’s license (because you apparently drive to schools and events?) and needed specific certification? I didn’t even know that.

@shakespearian1

Congrats. I hope you get it. We all deserve our dream job.

Thank you! And yes, we all do!

@Moonless-Nights

Even if you don’t get the job, at least you had the courage to start looking for a better job.

I was telling my sisters that this morning because I never had this kind of courage before due to my social anxiety and introversion. I’ve noticed the job inquiry’s been there for months and I never had the courage before despite saying I was going to just because I didn’t feel ready. I hate applying to jobs because I always feel like I’m not good enough for them and the long list of requirements and what you’re supposed to do is intimidating… so I never did it.

Until now. I was just so angry that I was like, “if it happens, it happens. If not, no harm or foul.” Because it’s not like I’m quitting my current job right now. If it falls through, I have a stable job to keep me going even though I don’t like it. It pays the bills and I’m already comfortable, so…

@Moonless-Nights

It’s too easy to settle into a pattern where you keep telling yourself that you’ll do this or that tomorrow to make things better, even though taking the first step is never quite as scary as we think it will be.

Exactly!

[DomiSotto]

Fingers crossed for you!

[AMMeyers]

[JJJ000YYY]

Sending you good luck!

I had the same nervous energy when I applied to my current job at a bookstore (after deciding that working at a library required too many hoops to handle due to the degree in being a librarian thing) so I hope everything goes well for you too!

[deathinreverie]

This sounds so terrible, and I admire you for sticking with them for as long as you did. The library sounds like a place you’ll truly flourish and be able to enjoy, I’m glad you’ve applied! I’m sure you’ll get the job! All the very best!

[Forever_D_A]

I hope you get out of there asap! That sounds TERRIBLE!

[BernieRJones]

@AMMeyers

Um… y’all. I got an interview set for next Friday

Yay!! Good luck!! I hope it goes well for you!

@AMMeyers

I know I’ll never be away from drama, negativity, or whatnot because it happens everywhere but it would be nice to start fresh.

I mean, I thought this too, but then I got to work with people that are actually responsible, accountable and reliable and it makes you realise that a lot of ‘adults’ just aren’t really adults… never say never. Lioke i didn’t realise how much workplace drama is really just people who lack certain skills that then carries over into their job if that makes sense?

Also yikes, sounds like you can’t get out of there fast enough!

@AMMeyers

while it’s not difficult work,

Haha, I think the most difficult part for me was really just remembering all the information. That and (for me any way,) IT/photocopying support just because I’m technologically challenged lol.

[AMMeyers]

@JJJ000YYY

I had the same nervous energy when I applied to my current job at a bookstore

Haha, yeah, I’m super nervous. It doesn’t help my anxiety and my constant overthinking. Especially since this is the third interview I’ve ever had in my life… But hopefully… all goes well. Haha

@deathinreverie

This sounds so terrible, and I admire you for sticking with them for as long as you did.

Thanks! Though, honestly, I didn’t have much of a choice because there wasn’t any jobs here in town and I was already comfortable anyway. haha

@deathinreverie

The library sounds like a place you’ll truly flourish and be able to enjoy, I’m glad you’ve applied! I’m sure you’ll get the job! All the very best!

Thank you!

@Forever_D_A

I hope you get out of there asap! That sounds TERRIBLE!

It honestly isn’t that terrible, but it is annoying to deal with.

@BernieRJones

Yay!! Good luck!! I hope it goes well for you!

@BernieRJones

I mean, I thought this too, but then I got to work with people that are actually responsible, accountable and reliable and it makes you realise that a lot of ‘adults’ just aren’t really adults… never say never.

Oh, I know, right?! My sisters also deal with a whole bunch of drama at their workplaces because some of the people they work with don’t even act like adults. And one of my sisters works at a church, so you’d think they’d be better but nope. They’re just as bad.

The people I’m working with are… okay. But there’s too much miscommunication, a small bit of favoritism, and a lot of drama in-between because of it. It’s just that no one is on the same page… and things get thrown out of proportion when things get missed or not done right.

@BernieRJones

Haha, I think the most difficult part for me was really just remembering all the information. That and (for me any way,) IT/photocopying support just because I’m technologically challenged lol.

Haha same.

I have to remember a lot of stuff with my current job, so I take loads of notes to help me. Most of what I have to remember deals with the computer, though. Our software system isn’t really user-friendly and there’s a lot of things I’m still learning about it.

Understanding the copying/faxing machine was a bit hard for me, too. xD But that was also because our old one was confusing and the paper always got stuck or it wasn’t doing what it was supposed to do. Then we got a new one and it took me a moment to figure it out and now it’s super easy to do. What I also hate is our printers whenever they randomly stop working. I just think they need brand new ones. Haha

But otherwise, I’m a bit of a quick learner if I take notes and mimic what they do.

[JJJ000YYY]

@AMMeyers

Haha, yeah, I’m super nervous. It doesn’t help my anxiety and my constant overthinking. Especially since this is the third interview I’ve ever had in my life… But hopefully… all goes well. Haha

Crossing fingers!

[J.L.O]

@AMMeyers

And one of my sisters works at a church, so you’d think they’d be better but nope.

People are human. The assumption that Christians are better is one of those self-harm mentalities. Christians are called to be better, and that’s really about the difference. Where it’s toxic from the Christian end is when the Christian assumes they are better, and where it’s toxic from the secular end is when the secular end holds up standards that they don’t hold on themselves on “people who are supposed to be better”. It’s an absolutely merciless cycle.

And it’s why Paul made it very clear that all Law (right and wrong) ever did was convict him of sins and made him twice the sinner he would have been while ignorant. Pretty damn blunt worldview from a man who wrote the majority of the New Testament’s letters.

[NotARussianBot]

Let’s hope you don’t have to deal with rowdy homeless people on the library

[AMMeyers]

@J.L.O

People are human. The assumption that Christians are better is one of those self-harm mentalities.

Yeah, that’s true.

@NotARussianBot

Let’s hope you don’t have to deal with rowdy homeless people on the library

Hahhaa hopefully not. Thankfully I live in a small town and we don’t have a lot of homeless people. Every now and again, you’ll see some people panhandling, but it’s not often. And I’ve never seen a homeless village like I’ve seen in other places, so it may not be bad if I do work at the library? ;sweat_smile: Though, even then, hopefully they’ll be way better than the drunks I’ve dealt with, and I’ll be working with others so I won’t be alone.

[Faithienss]

I love this!

I’m still a student and I’ve been trying to apply to my local library for months now. I sent like two applications for the same position, which was the only one open for my age group and I don’t think they’ll accept me again anytime soon.

But it’s great that you’re making a move to a job you would love more!

I’m not giving up! And I hope you get in, be sure to keep us updated!!