Better late than never on Library

Librarian Amelle Nicchi

October 14, 2013 9:31 PM

Sign Up Sheet for Monitors/Assistants by Librarian Amelle Nicchi

Amelle was fresh out of school and in the prime of her life. She had not been ready for college full time and had only achieved her associates degree at this time but that also meant her funds were limited. Amelle did what she could to find her job that would help fund her future. Her parents were not at all impressed with this, but as she was an adult, there was little that they could do about it. Except throw her out of the house.

Her mother is of Iraqi decent and had been raised to believe woman should do as they are told. However, she was an American woman and raised to believe they could also do anything that they wanted. The disappointment she held for her daughter's lack of conviction for college was more than she could bare. Her father, being Italian and very much a loud person, was not happy about her life choices, but also felt she deserved the right to find herself however she felt necessary.

This was how Amelle found herself at Sonora. Being without a home meant that she needed to find a job that supplied a home for her. She thought she had found the perfect job at Sonora as the Librarian. Amelle was intelligent in her own way (even if she lacked enthusiasm for it) and loved to read. She had a weird memory of things, which helped her. The smell of libraries always brought a sense of serenity to her that she never really experienced anywhere else. It always amazed and confused her that she could love books and the library as much as she did but not really care for the schooling aspect that it usually encircled it.

Looking up from the desk that she sat at, Amelle smiled at some of the students. She wasn't much older than the 7th years, which was weird and a little awkward. Hopefully, they wouldn't be too rough on her. Walking over the the bulletin board, Amelle pinned the notice for Assistants and Monitors to it. Her first duty for the day complete, she decided to take this time to learn the layout of her new lands.

The notice was a copy of the previous one and read:

Students are encouraged to help out in the library during the school year. There are two roles that are available. The first role is that of the Library Monitor.

The Monitors help to check books in and out of the library, organize the books in the stacks, answer any questions that fellow students may have, and complete occasional errands that may be needed.

The second role is that of the Library Assistant. This role has fewer responsibilities. Their role consists of returning books to their rightful place in the stacks and assist the Library Monitors with whatever duties need to be filled.

If you are interested in either of these roles, please sign your name and the role that you are requesting. Prior experience will be considered for the role of Monitor. For any questions, please see Librarian Nicchi for assistance.

Subthreads:

Signing myself up. by Keme RunningBear

Signing up again. by Alicia Bauer

Library Assistant signups..take two by Clara Abernathy

With greater age comes greater responsibility. by Julian Umland

Getting on the list. by Waverly Canterbury

Signing up by Henny B-F-R

Wishing to be of assistance by Ji-Eun Park

Better late than never by Ava Fletcher

Signing up for Assistant by Thaddeus Pierce II

Signing up by Melanie Lennox

6 Librarian Amelle Nicchi Sign Up Sheet for Monitors/Assistants 32 Librarian Amelle Nicchi 1 5

Keme RunningBear

October 15, 2013 7:59 PM

Signing myself up. by Keme RunningBear

One of Keme’s resolutions was to become more involved in things at the school. To get out there and attempt to make more friends. It was hard for him to do that. Keme never really considered himself shy, but in situations where he wasn’t sure what to do with himself or if he didn’t quite get the personality of the person he was with, Keme was at a loss for words or actions. His sister said that this was just a lack of confidence and that over time it would disappear. He just had to get to know people. Seemed pretty difficult when it was the people who made him unsure of himself.

Aside from joining any clubs that he felt somewhat okay in, Keme also decided that he would take on being a Library Assistant. He wasn’t so vain as to think he deserved the Monitor title, assuming that would go to older students with experience. He didn’t mind working his way up to that title though and figured, in a couple of years, he could apply for that himself.

The library was like a second home to him. He always studied and did his homework here, plus, his house was just a few aisles away. He thought it would be a nice job to have and a way for him to get his face out there for others who enjoyed the library as much as he did. And, as a bonus, putting away all the books, he’d learn where everything was.

When he saw the sign up on the board on his way back to his dorm room, Keme pulled out his self-inking quill and signed his name. Keme RunningBear, Assistant

6 Keme RunningBear Signing myself up. 249 Keme RunningBear 0 5

Alicia Bauer

October 17, 2013 2:20 PM

Signing up again. by Alicia Bauer

A new year brought with it new officials, and this year, Alicia was particularly unsure what to think about the lot. A Brockert headmaster and a new librarian in particular had the ability to be good for her, completely neutral for her, or else a pair of real annoyances for her, and she knew she was unlikely to have any way to know which of the three was going to play out until it was far too late to do anything about it. If there even was anything she could do about it. Right now, the best plan she had for if it looked like the new headmaster might have enough of a hand in things to keep anyone she would be okay with as a Head Student off the ballot was appealing to Evan's latent ambition and sensibility, and while she was sure he had some - he was an Aladren - he expressed them so unconventionally that he might not be able to see her point of view, especially since at worst, his causes were not likely to be harmed by a member of his family.

The librarian - Nicchi; she kept thinking it was 'niecey,' which was what Uncle Isaac's short-lived third wife had had an annoying habit of calling his nieces - was more of an immediate problem than Brockert, but a shorter-term one: really, the worst she could do was discontinue the source of Alicia’s one official leadership role within the school. It wouldn’t be a disaster, but it would make her unhappy, and leave an odd blank on her résumé, which would make her even more unhappy. So she hoped that didn’t happen, and was pleased when, soon into the term, the sign-up notice appeared.

Reading it, though, her smile lasted only for a moment before it was replaced with a calculating look. Prior experience considered…. Well, of course, but would the new woman find out if they had any from them or from another source? Such as the headmistress? Who might well remember that…misstep last year and thus give the new woman certain…impressions of the sixth year Aladrens before she ever met them? That wouldn’t be very good. That could actually be pretty bad.

Still, though, there was nothing for it. She could not sit on the sidelines because of that. Fortune favored the bold, so they said – Alicia thought it was rather more likely to blast their heads off, but the former cliché was more comforting, she had to admit.

Alicia Bauer, Monitor, she signed up, then went back to find some more adult-friendly books than she had actually been doing research from today to check out and so give herself a chance to introduce herself, welcome the new librarian, and assess the woman up-close.

16 Alicia Bauer Signing up again. 210 Alicia Bauer 0 5

Clara Abernathy

October 19, 2013 12:24 PM

Library Assistant signups..take two by Clara Abernathy

As Clara made her way up towards the library she couldn't help wondering just how much she was going to be signing up for this term. She knew that if Lucian ran the fencing club again this term she would definitely be signing up for it this time around. She had debated doing it last term, but with her cousin's crazy practice schedule last term she was amazed she had found the time she did for the few activities she had already signed up for. She was hoping that she would have more time this time around to do all the things she wanted.

Clara made her way into the library still thinking about her commitments for the term when she spotted the new librarian. She had quite gotten a good look at her during the feast and was a bit surprised to discover that she really wasn't much older than most of the seventh years at Sonora. Clara shrugged at that part as she smiled pleasantly at the new librarian behind the front desk. She placed the book she had borrowed on the desk in front of her and smiled at her again before turning her attention towards the bulletin board. Clara spotted the signup sheet and immediately wanted to sign up again. She felt a little guilty that she hadn't gotten to come up to the library as often as she would have liked last term. Clara hoped that she'd be able to make more time this time around especially since she had her CATS to do this year. She was going to need all he study time she could get. Clara pulled a self-inking quill pen from her bookbag and added her name to the list.

Clara Abernathy, fifth year, Library Assistant

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Julian Umland

October 25, 2013 2:07 PM

With greater age comes greater responsibility. by Julian Umland

In her first year, Julian had steered clear of most activities because she had been new to the school and unsure of her footing, and last year she guessed she had just coasted along on what was familiar, but now she was in third year. In the Intermediate classes, not the Beginner. She was a full member of the student body now, in a way she didn’t think the first and second years really were, and as such, she thought she had a responsibility to do something to contribute to the place, besides just doing some behind-the-scenes work at the Concert later this year. Maybe that wasn’t quite what Mom and Dad meant when they talked about how everyone was responsible to and for everyone else, and how they were supposed to be good citizens and employees and students and all, but she thought it was close enough to work, and it was really the best way she could think of to advance the general idea right now. Her academic performance seemed to have peaked for now, she didn’t see how she could improve her behavior, and there weren’t too many other options open.

Indeed, the only place where she thought she would really be able to do much at all was in the library. Having an active series of clubs did make the school look better, showing the initiative and extracurricular energy and talents of its students, but that was more a by-product of the institutions than a purpose. Shelving books, though, was just purely assistive in nature – she wouldn’t really get anything out of it, especially since she knew the sixth years had pretty much a monopoly on the positions which even got to tell the other library assistants what to do, for people who enjoyed giving orders and found the chance to do so rewarding on its own. Personally, Julian wasn’t sure she really saw the appeal, though maybe if she was ever in such a position it would make itself known. It was not wise to discount such things until one knew for sure.

So she decided she was supposed to sign up for it and began, in the first weeks of school, going through the library at least every other day to check for the sheet – not an onerous task, since she did have lots more work to do now that she was in intermediates, and of course, now that he had finished reading all Steve’s old books, John was already writing with more things he wanted her to look up for him in the library. It was a little exasperating, being treated like a sort of personal version of the Muggle Internet for her little brother, but she didn’t complain too much. Mom and Dad wouldn’t approve, she suspected, of her not encouraging academic interest in anyone, much less her brother, and besides, she then absorbed some of the material John wanted, too, and had it if she ever needed it.

Well, that was the theory, anyway. Privately, Julian was pretty convinced John was weird and that she could get through her whole life without ever knowing a lot of what he did right now, never mind what he was just starting to pick up. She didn't say anything, though. It took all kinds, and besides, it might be on the CATS or something.

Julian Umland, Assistant

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Waverly Canterbury

October 26, 2013 11:51 PM

Getting on the list. by Waverly Canterbury

Waverly was very glad to hear they had a new librarian. It had been a little struggle last year without one even if they had a substitute. It just wasn't the same. But this year, with a supposedly permanent librarian at the job the role of Library Monitor would be a little easier. She had signed up to work in the library for the past five years, so signing up for her sixth went without any hesitation. She knew she had to give up one of her clubs if she wanted to do well on all the jobs she already had, but volunteering in the library was not an option to give up.

There were already a few names on the signup sheet and Waverly quickly put her name below theirs. Waverly Canterbury, Library Monitor. There. She smiled and quickly went to pick up the books she had originally come for. Studying in the library was nice sometimes, but she generally enjoyed studying in her common room where there was always some sort of activity. She liked working with the slightly noisy background. Books picked up and checked out, she took another quick list and smiled before rushing out to get her work done.

19 Waverly Canterbury Getting on the list. 218 Waverly Canterbury 0 5

Henny B-F-R

November 08, 2013 5:12 PM

Signing up by Henny B-F-R

The new librarian looked scarcely older than her, which Henny found rather odd. She guessed the gi- lady must be in her first job fresh out of university. To her, the role of Sonora's librarian was one for the experienced veteran of reshelving and book catalogues, mostly because she imagined Father in the role, as the previous occupant of it had also been fairly young. She was sure this hadn't been father's first job but told herself that everyone had to start somewhere. Father had once been fresh out of university too, even if that was rather hard to imagine.

She was glad to see that the new librarian wanted their assistance (and tried to quell the part of her brain that followed that up with the comment that she would need it – she was sure that the new lady was competent, or the school wouldn't have hired her, but – going into her sixth year of having the library as a second home – Henny knew the place inside out, and it was bound to take a while before Ms. Nicchi knew the place as well as her current volunteers did).

'Henny B-F-R – library monitor,' she wrote on the list. She figured it made sense to introduce herself with the abbreviated version of her name and save Ms. Nicchi the trouble of thinking she might have to say the whole thing.

13 Henny B-F-R Signing up 211 Henny B-F-R 0 5

Ji-Eun Park

November 08, 2013 5:23 PM

Wishing to be of assistance by Ji-Eun Park

So far, based on glimpses of her across the counter, Ji-Eun liked the new librarian. She herself was young enough that, to her, Ms. Nicchi appeared a bona fide grown up, there to be obeyed. Her face was pretty, and slightly strange, in that Ji-Eun couldn't quite pick out her background. She was definitely different though and that made her feel more at home. It didn't necessarily mean that they had anything in common but it beat being an outsider all by yourself.

Even without these factors, she would have been keen to sign up as a library assistant again anyway. She liked the chance to be helpful and it was useful in getting to know her way around the library. It was also one of the extra curriculars that her mother was actually proud of her for joining, along with book club. When she saw the list, she wrote, in neat, printed letters

Ji-Eun Park, Pecari 2nd year, library assistant. She was sure her house would be in the minority, though she was pleased to see Waverly's name on the list too. Perhaps they could change people's perception of the 'rough and loud' house. Or, for the new librarian, help her to form a positive idea of it in the first place.

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Ava Fletcher

November 16, 2013 10:18 PM

Better late than never by Ava Fletcher

Ava hadn't thought to check the library board for sign-ups to be a library assistant as she had already signed up last year. Sonora was the first school she had ever really felt like getting involved at and so she hadn't really known how this sort of thing worked. When she finally happened across the list to sign up, she realized that it had been up for awhile and she was sad to have missed it. Ava was about to walk away when she realized that it was still up and so she might still be able to write in her name. She saw that there were only seven names on the list and so she figured that an eighth probably couldn't hurt. Her grandfather had always told her the more the merrier. Personally she had never agreed with him much. She was generally a solitary person, Seal her grey cat, her only constant companion until she had befriended Dimitri Porter before the winter break. She looked down at Seal and smiled to him. "We've got a friend now," she said cheerily.

Ava dug through her bag and took out a pen and scribbled her name and year down, glad to see Ji-Eun's name on the list as well. She had worked with the Pecari in class last year and thought her to be nice enough considering the circumstances. Ava had a tendency to be a bit clumsy and had tripped over the other girl during their first potions lesson of the year. She shook her head at the memory, remembering the whole point of coming to the library in the first place- to find something in a book somewhere to help her keep her balance better. She stepped back from the sign-up sheet giving it a final look over before leaving.

Ava Fletcher, Library Assistant, it read followed by a small apology in smaller print, (sorry this is a little late).

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Thaddeus Pierce II

November 24, 2013 10:08 PM

Signing up for Assistant by Thaddeus Pierce II

He had done the numbers over and over again (increasingly manically once it became apparent that they weren't going to fall into place easily), each time hoping for a different result, until he realized (after about the thirtieth attempt at a schedule was balled up and thrown in the trash . . . and bounced out again because the bin was too full with its predecessors) that this was the definition of insanity and it just wasn't going to work. There simply weren't enough hours in the day. He wanted to return as a Monitor, he really did, but the RATS level courses required more time for research and homework, there was the concert this year, and now he was the Aladren Quidditch Captain, so he needed some extra time for planning practices and such.

He hadn't dropped any of his courses after the CATS, either, which was probably a good part of his timing problem, since it was usually expected that students would drop something once the mandatory classes became optional. There wasn't anything he wanted to drop, though. All of the courses were interesting, and he was doing well enough in all of them that he didn't find it necessary to eliminate any of them to protect his GPA.

Something had to give though. Letting his education suffer was unthinkable. Participating in the concert was mandatory and he didn't want to let down his chosen group for that. The Quidditch Captaincy had given him a shiny badge to wear on his robes and was his best option to show the school how good a leader he could be in anticipation of the Head Boy election at the end of this year, so he had to a stellar job there. Then there were a bunch of clubs that he enjoyed being a part of and he did not want to abandon either.

It was going to have to be Monitor that he gave up. He tried at first to avoid the library helper list altogether once it went up as just looking at it made him alternately feel depressed then angry then depressed again, but he couldn't let it go entirely. He'd been a library helper since he was a first year. It just wasn't Sonora without allotting several hours a week to putting books away. So he reworked his schedule - again - and managed to find just enough time to volunteer as an assistant by reluctantly dropping the Baking Club. His Quidditch capabilities might even improve by reducing his brownie intake.

Once he was sure the new schedule wouldn't negatively impact anything but his chocolate cravings, he added his name to the list.

Thaddeus Pierce II, 6th Year, Assistant

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Melanie Lennox

December 05, 2013 5:31 AM

Signing up by Melanie Lennox

Last year, Melanie had gotten involved in some of the activities around school. She'd worked in the library, joined the Horse Club-and was rather looking forward to going on the trip to the ranch-and had even become the vice president of the Book Club. She had every intention of doing these things all over again because she'd genuinely enjoyed them, not in order to impress the staff in order to get badges. She was honestly happy for Aria getting prefect. Her roommate had seemed a little...unhappy last year and Melanie felt she deserved to have the honor. Besides, she had all those clubs to keep her busy and since her sister was a seventh year, the Teppenpaw wanted to spend time with her too. And it was CATS year and Melanie wanted to do her best on those too, as many Os as possible which would require an awful lot of studying. She didn't need prefect.

Of course, she'd probably have to spend midterm being paraded at parties for suitor after suitor. Even though there was only one suitor Melanie wanted. She and Marcus would be an unusual match-hopefully her parents and his were considering matching them up-because she was quite a serious person and he was well, not. However, his perpetual happiness cheered her up when things felt a little rough for her. If she did end up with Marcus though, she'd feel just a little guilty, because she had a better relationship than her sister would. She'd have...love maybe and Valerie wouldn't and the Crotalus truly deserved it.

She personally was happy there was going to be real librarian this year too. On last year's sign-ups, there had seemed to be a little...anarchy. It wasn't something Melanie was a fan of. She liked neatness,order. She'd grown up her whole life knowing what was to be expected of her, even if it didn't always make her happy. However, that had more to do with the discrepancy between how she and Valerie were treated. Mother put all sorts of energy into making the Teppenpaw a proper, perfect young lady, like a little doll and with the older girl, it seemed Mother just didn't see her as worth as much because she'd been sick most of her life. Melanie did not like this one little bit. Valerie was just as important and worthwhile as the fifth year was.

And it turned out that the sign-ups for library volunteers were up again. Melanie was excited. This was something she did on her own that had nothing to do with her mother-who would honestly probably object to her daughter doing anything resembling work-but it was something she enjoyed. Just like the Book Club. She was eagerly looking forward to that too, wondering what they'd be reading this year. Her parents were actually proud of her for being the Vice President too.

Looking over the list, it seemed to have very few changes in the names of people who signed up compared to last year, though there were some new names.. That was good, Melanie had had no problems working with any of the returning people She had to admit that she was a little surpised that Thad Pierce had put himself as assistant, given how last year he'd had so much ambition that he'd put himself as a substitute librarian. He seemed like an otherwise nice guy, but that display of ego had not impressed Melanie too much.

She wrote her own name down on the list.

Melanie Lennox, fifth year, Monitor

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