The Night at the School Library

I usually do not get called to substitute for this school library too often for they have a list that they rotate substitutes. Usually, I worked two or three nights a month at this location. The duties are about the same as for the public and college libraries for I still reshelve some books back on the shelves, but for the most part I am basically just running the vacuum over the carpet and dusting the furniture and shelves. As I was in the far back corner, I heard that all familiar phrase just like my other nights.

"Read the Book. Read the book." I wondered what the book would be come the end of the shift. I decided to go to the little office behind the circulation desk for the librarian left a little paperwork that still needed to be put into the computer. I heard the whisper again "Read the book. Read the book." As I was cleaning the library classroom from wiping down the tables and chairs and washing the blackboard I started to think about several books at this level that could help me with what I was currently working through.

Moving along through the night I thought I heard voices even though I know some would be the night cleaning crew and at times they will invite me to join them during their break time. Me and them have to be done with our work by 3AM for that is when security takes over. After I came back to the library to make my final pass through the shelves and wiping down all the computers for the coming day I heard "Read the book! Read the book!" I finished the last few computers and then looked around for the 'the book'.

I felt a push towards the section of the library where the books for the late elementary students grades 4-6 could be found and I saw Jeff Kinney's first book about a young student coping with growing up just as we all did back in the day. I guess the voices of the past wanted me to remember things really do not change as we grow up into adults.