Mah Johbe

In exchange for legal tender (well, digital tender - that is, credit) I work in my college library's cataloguing department. I process newly-received books so they are fit to go on the library's shelves. That means I affix the Library of Congress labels to the side, put in the "date due" card, the little thing that makes the security system know when you're stealing a book, etc. It's alright. There are other grunts in there - one a total babe. Which is nice. When we all talk it's pleasant, and when we don't I listen to music. I get to glance through the books as I process them, which can be rewarding.

The soul-draining aspect of it is that ANYONE could do this job. As someone who wants to be an artist (an endeavour which by definition requires the essence of the individual) I find this particularly devastating. I feel like a machine. It grinds me down.

So next time you check out a library book, think of me, think of me.



sitting in a little chair, listening to music / talking while affixing labels, stamping, writing down numbers, looking at books, etc.: **