Haven’t Gone By The Book In A While

(It’s a Friday afternoon and classes have just let out. Since I have no plans for the weekend, I decide to get some books out from the library. When I place my stack of books on Norse mythology down on the front desk for the student volunteer to check out…)

Student: *baffled look* “Can I help you?”

Me: “Yes. I just need these checked out, thanks.”

Student: “Uh, I actually haven’t done this yet this year, and there aren’t any directions.”

(There’s a computer and scanner right in front of her, and this is halfway through the school year.)

Me: “Erm, I believe you scan the—”

Student: “Well, maybe the alarm won’t go off. If it does, you can just ask [Librarian] for help.”

Me: “You know what? Worth a shot.”

Student: “So, are those for history class?”

Me: “No; I’m merely interested in mythology and other cultures.”

Student: “…”

(I left, and thankfully the alarm didn’t go off. I was truly shocked to realize so few students checked out books that I got such a surprised reaction.)