It Pays To Be A Librarian

So I know that librarianship is not a career option at the top of most people's lists - it definitely hangs out under the radar. Often when I tell people that I'm a public librarian the response I get is one of pleasant surprise. Sort of, "Oh yeah, I forgot that people did that," or maybe even, "Oh yeah. Libraries. I went to one of those once." (The second response is usually, "It sure must be nice to read all day!" To which I reply (silently, of course): Ha! I wish.)

But let me tell you, despite the hazards of daily working with the possibly entirely insane general public, there are definitely some perks to this job. One of those perks is sitting on the table next to me: an advance reading copy of The Host by Stephenie Meyer. Now, if you've never heard of the The Host or Stephenie Meyer, then I assume you are either a) not a girl between the ages of 12-18, or b) not in the young adult book (or library) business. In other words, 99.9% of the people reading this blog. However, believe me, there is a sizable group of individuals out there (again, mostly adolescent girls) who would quite happily push me in front of a moving vehicle for a chance to get their hands on this book before its May 2008 release. I know because the last time Stephenie Meyer released a new book (Eclipse, for those who are curious), I attended a book signing event at Pasadena's fabulous Vroman's Bookstore. I had heard a little about this book and about how popular the Twilight series was (of which Eclipse is the third book) and I thought I would be a good public librarian and go hear the author speak.

I was unprepared. It was an early Saturday morning but I might as well have been at a concert for some popular boy-band. First of all, the courtyard was packed (yes - courtyard - there being about 10 times too many people to fit indoors). Secondly, every girl there was either in costume as one of the characters or sporting a homemade t-shirt proclaiming her love for the characters, the books, Stephenie Meyer, or some other related theme. Some of them had driven (or forced their parents to drive) for hours to be there. Many had arrived and set up camp 4 or more hours before the event was to begin. When the author appeared on stage the screaming was so intense that she couldn't be heard at all for several minutes. It was intense - and also a little surreal for the only person there who was not either a parent or 14 years old.

To be honest, I didn't even think they would be giving out advance reading copies of The Host. (By the way, advance reading copies are usually uncorrected proofs of a soon-to-be-released book sent to reviewers, bookstores, and libraries to generate publicity and sales.) Publishers usually only seem to send these copies for new authors or books that they don't have confidence will sell well or be "discovered" on their own. (In other words, no advance reading copies of Harry Potter.) But I guess since this book is not only not a part of the Twilight series, but also (gasp!) science fiction, the publishers decided a little extra marketing and promotion might not hurt. Frankly, I don't care. I'm just excited to exercise one of my librarian perks and read a book a month before it becomes available to everyone else (regardless of whether or not the story is any good - I actually expect it to be mediocre). So there you go, people - it pays to be a librarian!

Now if only I could find the time to read.