Especially for public libraries and doubly so having an RN wife who’s entire job is working with high risk pregnancies, knowing that every single day, the wrong decision could result in bad health outcomes or even death for a mother and/or baby.
Here’s how I often frame it: “Libraries aren’t heart attacks and handcuffs even though some patrons act like they’ll die if they don’t get their John Grisham hold soon. While the work we do is important, it’s also not to the same level as healthcare, emergency services and others who deal with life and death every single day.”
So why do so many staff act like libraries are in the same category? Feelings of inadequacy? Trying to justify high salaries? Gain respect?