Libraries and village life
This is week two of my duties as substitute librarian. It's the first week, however, where I'm keeping the "usual" hours. I've been totally impressed by the number of people who are coming in on a daily basis to use the various services. Yesterday alone I had 30 people!
And, it's not just for the internet, which is what I thought would be the main draw. The inhabitants of the village really do like to read, taking out 5 and 6 books at a time. They also borrow music CDs, and, yes, use the internet.
I've had several times where users were waiting in line to get access to a terminal. We do only have two, but still, with a steady stream of users, they do keep busy.
It's not just the villagers who use the library services either, but tourists come in to check their email, etc. They can also get temporary memberships allowing them to borrow books and CDs, if they give us a check for 25 euros that we hold until the materials are returned.
Most people have been very nice and accomodating, getting up to leave their place to the next person in line when their 30 minutes is up. I DID have an unpleasant experience today with someone who wants to come in and use the computer for 90 minutes for his business. I had to explain that I need to check with Noelle about that and see what her policy on such use is. He returned a few minutes later and was a bit unpleasant; something I really did not appreciate. I do plan to speak to Noelle about it this evening.
Still, that type of thing does happen now and again and I suppose we have to learn to cope.
While sitting here this afternoon, a strange event occurred in town. I heard the sound of horses going by outside the library. That in itself is not all that unusual, as we do get people riding through town all the time. What made this particularly odd was that there were 6 horses all on their own! We DID have a loose donkey in town about two weeks ago, but 6 horses strikes me as a lot. Perhaps they came from the chateau? I suppose we'll eventually find out.
A bit of positive news to report as well. Friend and cafe owner, Jacques Cunara, has been released from the hospital after a month of chemotherapy for his leukemia. He gets to spend some quality time at home with kids and wife Muriele before returning a week from tomorrow for more testing and a possible bone marrow transplant. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts.
Ciao for now.
Randy
And, it's not just for the internet, which is what I thought would be the main draw. The inhabitants of the village really do like to read, taking out 5 and 6 books at a time. They also borrow music CDs, and, yes, use the internet.
I've had several times where users were waiting in line to get access to a terminal. We do only have two, but still, with a steady stream of users, they do keep busy.
It's not just the villagers who use the library services either, but tourists come in to check their email, etc. They can also get temporary memberships allowing them to borrow books and CDs, if they give us a check for 25 euros that we hold until the materials are returned.
Most people have been very nice and accomodating, getting up to leave their place to the next person in line when their 30 minutes is up. I DID have an unpleasant experience today with someone who wants to come in and use the computer for 90 minutes for his business. I had to explain that I need to check with Noelle about that and see what her policy on such use is. He returned a few minutes later and was a bit unpleasant; something I really did not appreciate. I do plan to speak to Noelle about it this evening.
Still, that type of thing does happen now and again and I suppose we have to learn to cope.
While sitting here this afternoon, a strange event occurred in town. I heard the sound of horses going by outside the library. That in itself is not all that unusual, as we do get people riding through town all the time. What made this particularly odd was that there were 6 horses all on their own! We DID have a loose donkey in town about two weeks ago, but 6 horses strikes me as a lot. Perhaps they came from the chateau? I suppose we'll eventually find out.
A bit of positive news to report as well. Friend and cafe owner, Jacques Cunara, has been released from the hospital after a month of chemotherapy for his leukemia. He gets to spend some quality time at home with kids and wife Muriele before returning a week from tomorrow for more testing and a possible bone marrow transplant. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts.
Ciao for now.
Randy
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