I'm guilty

I had a student come in and check out a book. Let's call him Wilbur.

I'm pretty sure Wilbur only checks out books cause he's supposed to have one for class. He is an underachiever (in my opinion) who has the potential to do well but chooses to not do much of anything. Except slide through life. And avoid work.

Wilbur and his fellow underachievers make me very sad. If only they would put half as much effort into doing their work that they put into getting out of it!

But I digress--as usual. Wilbur checked out a book in the middle of a series. That's just wrong. I know that Wilbur won't enjoy the book if he hasn't read the first one. But I also know he has no intention of reading the book he's holding, so I dutifully scan stamp and pray that I will see the book again someday. In one piece, still wearing its cover.

Two book lovers are standing at the circulation desk as Wilbur is checking out. One tells Wilbur--"Don't check that out--you've gotta read the first one. You'll never know what's going on if you don't read the first one." She's confused because she knows that I usually point out that a student. I inwardly (I hope) roll my eyes, knowing she's wasting her breath.

Wilbur came in today to visit the book fair. You know what I was thinking--slacker, leaving class, using me as an excuse AGAIN.

Wilbur says "I've read about 200 pages of that book." I, being the encouraging librarian that I am say "You're kidding me."

Wilbur says "No. This is the first book I've read in years."

Who knew?

So.

I'm guilty.

Of being judgemental.

Of mental slander.

Of not being positive.

Of thinking the worst of a person based on past performance.

It could be that he's lying. We'll find out if he checks out another book in the series.....

If you haven't read it, check out New Moon, the second book in the Twilight series. I'd recommend reading Twilight first but then what do I know! Yes, it's a vampire series. No I haven't read it. My library has seven copies and there has been a waiting list for it all year long, so I haven't taken the time. I hear that it's kinda like the Harry Potter books--you don't have to like the type of book it is to love the story!

Wilbur says he likes it!

Good News update as of Tuesday, Dec. 9th--Wilbur brought back the book (which he had been reading surreptitiously in class, I know cause I caught him!) and wanted the next one, which was of course checked out! So then he asked WHERE HE COULD BUY IT! Is that amazing or what!