by Peg Prendeville

All the children are well settled back in school and typically we get a mini summer. But it’s grand to get it anytime and we are grateful. Ballyhahill School, in a bid to make some money for the school are asking anybody, who is willing, to consider collecting the returnable bottles and giving them to the school pupils who will return them and donate the money to the school. It will be greatly appreciated.

It looks like the Ploughing Championships is in for a good week of weather which will suit everybody. It makes such a difference to the enjoyment of the day. They have been unlucky the past few years with storms and rain.

Glin Library has a new staff member for the past few weeks. We welcome Ayo to Glin and hope she will enjoy her job. She lives in Newcastlewest and has no transport so is glad of the Rural bus for the moment. This reminds me of a poem I wrote while I worked in the library.

A Day as a Branch Librarian

Some people think we’re lazy and are having all the luck

By surfing the internet all day or reading the latest book.

But if you got a little glimpse of a normal working day

In one of our Branch libraries, you’ll change your mind, I’d say.

Each morning when we open up we tidy up the place

We turn on the computers to be ready just in case.

The phone may then be ringing requesting a new book

While a child walks in with Mammy, saying “I want one with a duck”.

A stranger then calls in to say “I’m doing a Family Tree

My family came from near this town. Can you find the name for me.”

Meanwhile the child is calling “Mammy the toilet please

And so I point the way to her before there’s more than tears!

A caller from yesterday calls in. “I think I’ll change my mind

I’ll take that book with the pink cover that I left, in the shelf, behind. “

Next in is a child with anxious look “I’m doing a project on honeybees

Can you tell please how I will find the information that I need. “

It’s almost time for lunch and yet the statistics are not done

I need to record the many books that were issued all last month.

Then there are the ‘overdues’! You see, some people do not care

If they keep the books for far too long, but, gladly, these are rare.

There are callers who would like to chat or need a listening ear

This is important too, I feel, for we need to bring some cheer

And replace the image that we had of stuffy, strict ‘old dears’

Who are always grumpy, giving out and getting on in years.

When the day is fine a class may call down from the local school

They race in with such energy and proclaim the place as “Cool!”

They go through all the shelves like fire and drown the quiet with noise

But it’s so nice to see their joy, as if they’ve won a prize.

There are book requests to be attended to and new titles to display

To whet the readers’ appetite and bring them back next day

The local history corner is in need of a spring clean

It is nice to keep it up to date for those historians who are keen.

And now some books must be repaired in case they get too tattered

The shelves must be kept in order; they don’t look good if scattered

They are in a specific order, according to the Melvil Dewey system

It’s easy then to find them when you become accustomed.

Then once a week its cleaning time and getting rid of all that dust

The windows too have to be cleaned and hoovering’s a must.

The notice board is out of date and some posters will have to go

To make way for some new events or maybe a local show.

So now I hope I’ve given you a taste of all the work we do

You are very welcome to call in and we’ll be there for you

To help you in your choice of book, whether fact or fiction

We’ll do our best to keep you happy and free from any friction.

Peg Prendeville – 2010