I previously mentioned a pair of tow-headed boys who regularly use our library computers and frequently lose their library cards. The two were back today, and I had an amusing interaction with them at the circulation desk.
The elder was focusing more on excavating in his backpack as he walked up, so he didn't notice me reaching into the drawer for the lost library card bag until I asked him something like, "Are you looking for these?" I had taped together his wallet card and keychain card, since both had been turned in at the front desk after previous visits. Of course, he looked a bit embarrassed, but he was grateful.
The younger suddenly exclaimed, "I left my library card at home on the window sill!" The elder, despite just having been handed evidence of his own frequent forgetfulness, began to berate the younger as only a self-righteous and not-at-all self-aware sibling can. I handed out a guest pass as a stop-gap for the day, and all was well again.
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We also had a visit from a couple of out-of-state retirees who are moving to the area and wanted to explore the local library, as anyone should when moving. I was feeling a bit silly, so when the wife asked what she needed to do for a library card, I swept my arm grandly toward the distance and said, "first, you must climb the mountain, slay the dragon at its peak, and bring back a vial of its blood." I swung my arm in another direction and continued, "Then, swim to the bottom of the lake and steal the pearl from the lonely oyster there." She chucked and said she had already done those things, so I told her all we needed was a short form filled out and some kind of proof of address.
She didn't have that paperwork finalized yet, but I sent the application form with her, and anticipate she and her husband will soon return to complete the process. Should I still demand proof of the blood and pearl if she comes back tomorrow?
