What's In The Books Today?
When working as an employee at my local library, you would think it is pretty relaxing during my shifts. Some days its quite the opposite.
Aside from the difficult visitors, some of the books, cds, and movies get returned in pretty bad condition. Sometimes they are sticky, with no distinct smell to decide what it is. Then there are books that are oily on the outside covers, and they smell like really bad old lady perfume. When those kinds appear, my hands smell like that all day long. It becomes really nauseating.
I also find things inside the pages of the countless books. One time I found a note that said that a woman had to go to the airport at 1:30 pm, though I have no picture representation of it shown.
The first photo I have is of a laminated newspaper article that was being used as a bookmark. It was describing Prince William and Duchess Kate, and Prince George on easter. In scrawled penmanship, it reads a date: April 21, 2014. Was this person obsessed with the royal family? Did they know everything about their family?
The next thing I found was a Polaroid photo, along with an appointment card to a Therapists office. The Polaroid was of a young boy, and on his little hat was the Nebraska Huskers logo. On the back of the appointment card was a date- it was five days away from when I found it. Did they go to therapy because they lost her son, the boy in the photo? Was that the only photo left of him in his youth? And were they left mentally corrupt because of whatever happened to their son? Or, did they just find the photo on the ground? Also, what made them use it as a book mark?
The last, and most recent thing I've found used as a bookmark at my library is a green Menards sale display card that is advertising for a Frogs Garden Fountain. On the back of it is a list of
characteristics and their ratings. I found it in a book about 'being a better you'. I skimmed through it and there was a chart and quiz inside of what your main personality is. Im guessing she (its feminine penmanship) wrote her results on the back. How did she get that card in the first place? Did she rip it off a display and run or buy the fountain? Did she have bad self esteem and needed to be reassured by taking the quiz?
I don't think I will ever find the answers to my questions. Everyday, as people return their books, a few of them will leave their private belongings in between the pages. I will discover them and ponder their owners positions and pasts. In conclusion, we never know what we leave behind for others to find. I will never know what I'm going to discover next, which will unlock a new story and mystery.
