Yer Outta Here Punks!

I never thought I was the shushing type. One of the first things I learned in library school is that librarians are totally cool, hip and technologically up-to-date people. We can navigate the information superhighway like ninjas, never let our hair go gray, always wear contacts and come to work in stilletto heels (even the guys) because sensible shoes are for nurses.

One of the first things I learned in the real library is that, while not stereotypical, most librarians do not fit the mold that my brain cast in library school. I am the youngest reference associate and of our 59 staff members I'm guessing a good amount of them are over fifty. Many are still afraid of computers. Don't get me wrong, I like my co-workers and my job, but there is a definite disconnect between library school, Hollywood and the real world.

Still, though I had entered the real world, I still could never imagine hearing a "Shhh..." pass my lips.

Then, last week (or a few weeks ago - I have a bad memory) I had to kick my first batch of teens out of the library. To be honest, I probably could have done it before. There isn't all that much to do in our town so the library seems to be where half the teens hang out. For this reason it can be very noisy in the afternoons.

One of the things I don't think I learned sufficiently is how to discipline teens. I felt terrible. I thought for sure they would hate me and at least see through my stern facade and see I was really weak and hoping really hard that they'd just listen to me and leave. I didn't want trouble.
I remember being in high school. The teacher I remember most is my literary magazine advisor. We called him Super Scottish Man and even wrote a poem about him. We thought he was the coolest even when we knew we drove him up a wall and he sometimes reprimanded us for it. He offered us a place to stay and be creative with each other after school. He barely had to do anything, but be there to listen.

I think that I did get indoctrinated a bit into the library school view of librarians. I wanted to be these teens friend, but what I've realized is that I've had to find my own leadership style and my own way of relating to them. Being their friend is not it. I am someone who will listen to them, guide them, give them ideas and laugh with them. I am also someone who has to correct them when they are wrong and teach them that there are consequences for their actions - even in an environment that isn't as controlled as school.

The teens I kicked out returned the next day. One of them came over to say hi when she had been close to tears the day before. So I learned that they don't hate me for doing what they expect adults to do. And I am an adult which is also kind of a shock.

Oh, and even if they don't see it I still consider myself the cool, hip, up-to-date librarian. It's certainly better than the alternative.