The title of this post sounds like a geological event, something involving tectonic plates and continental drift. But no, it's just my job.
Yesterday morning, when I arrived at work, we had about 600 books sitting in quarantine. They were all returned last week, our first week back at school since December. All returned books sit in quarantine for five days to allow any coronavirus on them to die before we return them to the library shelves.
That means the quarantine period was up on many of them. Putting them back where they belong was the focus of my day -- in between checking out books to middle-schoolers and running them to their classrooms. By the time I left at 3:30 we were down to 233 quarantined books. Of those, 57 came in yesterday.
If you're doing the math, that means I re-shelved something like 424 books. Which is incredible even to me.
I remember being surprised when I took this job how much physical work it entails, and that's a good example. There's a lot of lifting, kneeling, bending, crouching and reaching, not to mention walking and stair-climbing. I felt like I'd been at the gym all day!
Remember how I said my honesty seeds appeared to be duds? Nope. They just took a while. Two of them have finally come up. (I planted them on Feb. 21!) I also think there may be some corncockle seedlings growing outside, near where the mother plant grew, in addition to the single seedling in my tray. Spring is springing!
(Top photo: A grey heron on Hampstead Heath, on Sunday.)
THAT is a lot of work! Honest(l)y glad you've got seedlings and, especially, corncockles.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to show off my corncockles when they bloom. LOL
DeleteBooks sure do keep you agile, not least because they are so heavy. Particularly when they come in piles. At my last move, some ten years ago, one of the (professional) removal men remarked he'd never shifted so many boxes of books. Let's just hope he never lands a job with the British or any other library changing premises. Though do know what he means. As you say, think of it as a stretching, bending, weightlifting exercise. Remember Jane Fonda work outs? Going for the burn? Which is why any self respecting individual should always shun the escalator and use the stairs. Not so much down but UP. Great for the gluteal muscle group.
ReplyDeleteYour seeds looking good. I am happy to report that the Magnolia at the end of the road looks in fine fettle. Fat buds bursting to burst into flower.
U
I imagine movers have to move a lot of cumbersome stuff. Books may be heavy, but at least they pack well!
DeleteIt is not something you think about when you are young, but books on lower shelves in bookshops and libraries are a problem when you are older. A good effort on your part by the sound of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning more and more how hard they can be to reach!
DeleteMore physicality than coal mining or hauling in fish. I wonder if the promise of daily workouts was included in the job description.
ReplyDeleteIt was not! Fortunately I don't mind it. (Pretty sure I WOULD mind coal mining.)
DeleteTiny seedlings ......valiant
ReplyDeleteA miracle every time!
DeleteHappy Little Sprouting - So Cool
ReplyDeleteCheers
P.S. I Think Olga Girl Has Something To Say
She always does, especially when Uncle T treats are involved!
DeleteBest Day Ever - Thank You
DeleteIt's work AND workout!
ReplyDeleteA good combination, actually -- getting paid to be healthier!
DeleteI never would have thought that a librarian's job could be so physical. And yet- of course it is!
ReplyDeleteAnd I never would have thought that a heron would be at Hampstead Heath in London.
Yeah, we do have herons here! They're called grey herons -- I don't think they're the same as Florida great blues.
DeleteThat does sound like a surprising amount of physical work.
ReplyDeleteNice to see those little green sprouts. Yay spring!!
It's encouraging, isn't it?
DeleteI'm surprised the books are quarantined for 5 days. that really complicates library routine and organization.
ReplyDeleteIt DOES slow down the circulation of the books. That's why we restrict students to two books at a time -- to keep the amount of stuff in quarantine down.
DeleteI'm with Ms Moon on the heron. I wouldn't have thought. so I guess there's a big pond on the Heath? I don't think the librarians at the library here have such a strenuous job, not being connected to a school.
ReplyDeleteYeah, there are several ponds. I've never seen fish in them, but there are definitely frogs. (Maybe fish too that I haven't seen.)
DeleteOof - that's a lot of work! Maybe it was a good thing that I never followed up on my childhood dream of being a librarian. Ha!
ReplyDeleteBear librarians, must be a thing. Having a physically active job is a twofer, especially when you are a young man and walk everyday. You are going to outlive everyone! Sure of it!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing you are a steady walker. It keeps you limber for your job. Re-shelving 424 books in one day sounds like a big job!
ReplyDeleteYour job keeps you young. Wowsie! You have leaves on your trees already! That's a great shot of the heron in the tree. Good luck with your seedlings. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started work at my public library, I was a shelver and that was a real workout! Pushing the heavy carts piled with books, squatting for the low shelves and stretching up for the high ones, I lost a lot of weight and often came home quite sore! I wore out the right knee in all of my jeans as that was the knee I would kneel on to see the low shelves! Good times tho!
ReplyDeleteI had a graduate assistantship in a library. It was a lot of work, but I was younger so much younger than today. I never needed anybody's help in any way . . . pardon me. Sometimes I can't help bursting into song.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I'd never thought of being a librarian as such a physical job.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, the plumbers and the iron workers must all be sending their sympathies to you, Steve. 🐼
ReplyDelete