Libraries

Camy Tang here, and at the time I’m writing this, I’m just back from an interview for a part-time library position.

Applying for the job was a no-brainer. I mean, what reader wouldn’t want to be surrounded by books for a few hours each day???

The job is also part-time, which means I can still spend time writing each day. While I would love to work in the library, writing is my favorite job.

The librarian mentioned that the library has gotten busier because of the economy right now. After all, library books are free! And books are cheaper entertainment than a movie. Have you visited your library lately?

Did you know that for many libraries, if they don’t have the book you want but another branch has it, they’ll have it sent to your branch so you can read it? Here in California, it’s called a Hold request. You can actually do it online—you put a book on hold and the branch that has the book sends it to your branch, and when it’s available, you get an email saying it’s ready for you to pick up and check out.

Did you also know that you can suggest books that are not on their list? If you search their catalog and, say, Margaret Daley’s latest book isn’t there, you can submit the title to the library to suggest that they purchase it. Most libraries are happy to buy a nice inexpensive paperback that someone has requested (as opposed to a more expensive hardcover book).

Some libraries will allow you to donate books and they’ll put them in their catalog, but not all libraries do that. Many libraries around here will accept donated books, but they sell it at a special table (for $1 each, so they’re a good deal) rather than adding the books to their catalog. :( So be sure to check with your library on their policy before donating your books, because they might not add them to the stacks.

Anyway, if it’s God’s will, I pray I get the library job!

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Her novel Single Sashimi is out now, and her Love Inspired Suspense novel, Deadly Intent, releases in July this year. She runs the Story Sensei critique service. In her spare time, she is a staff worker for her church youth group, and she leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every Monday and Thursday, and she ponders frivolous things. Sign up for her newsletter YahooGroup for monthly giveways!