YOU might think that the only “page-turning” action that takes place in your local library is within the books – but the reality is very different.
From illicit affairs to visitors using free Wi-Fi to watch raunchy movies, librarians see things that are much stranger than fiction.
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And with libraries now busier than ever – visits increased by 71 percent between 2022 and 2023 and one in three of us now use one – they are a focus of controversy.
A library in Essex was forced to hire guards after 50 incidents of anti-social behavior in three months, while other libraries saw young people throwing books and even climbing onto the roof.
No one knows better what’s really going on inside than the librarians who work there, and here, our avid reader – who has run libraries in the Midlands for over 30 years – reveals all…
Public porn peeps
While you might think a library is a sex-free zone, it’s far from it.
Men take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and come to watch porn.
The first time I saw this I was horrified – I was young and didn’t know what I should do.
I ended up picking up the very noisy book cart next to him and started coughing.
I once caught a man stuffing a magnifying rat down his pants so I could examine his private parts in more detail.
Secret Librarian
When that didn’t work, I shut down his computer at the server.
I never got close enough to see exactly what he was watching, but he definitely had his hand under the table.
The library I work at also has a special ‘mouse’ that enlarges text for the nearsighted.
I once caught a man tucking it into his pants so I could examine his private parts in more detail.
I passed by and was surprised and had to run away because I thought it was so funny.
Another couple showed up, picked up books and received their stamps, which they were clearly using as an alibi so they could tell their poor unsuspecting partners that they had been at the library.
Secret Librarian
And we are also used as a place for illicit encounters.
A couple, almost 40 years old, met every Thursday morning and never arrived together. She always arrived first with shopping bags.
He would arrive embarrassed, they would kiss, then sit together holding hands and whispering like teenagers, while pretending to look at books.
Another couple showed up regularly, picked up books and received their stamps, which they clearly used as an alibi to fool their poor unsuspecting partners into thinking they had been in the library.
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Why do unfaithful partners choose public places to commit adultery?
Sex and relationship expert Kate Taylor says:
“In part, it’s an act. By going to public places, cheaters can pretend their relationship is honest. They can enjoy life as if they were a “proper” couple — without any of the stress and strain of a full-fledged relationship. it is clear.
“This form of escapism attracts cheaters who don’t want to abandon their official relationship. It’s also the thrill of getting caught. When leaving the house, adulterous couples can be arrested at any time.
“That’s exciting – to a point. To lower their risk, cheaters often avoid their usual haunts. So instead of going to the local pub, they go to the library.
“Instead of walking hand in hand through the local park, they’ll make out in the parking lot. This exhibitionism attracts cheaters who enjoy the feeling of being rebellious.”
Read more from Kate about sex and relationships here
After all, a spouse would never suspect you were dating someone else if you told them you were at the library…
Books covered in snot and bacon bookmarks
People bring in books that are in terrible condition, have fallen into the bathtub or smell like smoke.
We have to air them out or throw them away if they are really bad.
One visitor always used cooked bacon as a marker – I’ll never understand why.
We suggested they stop and stop for a while, but then they would start again – absolutely bizarre.
And yet there is so much snot on the pages that it is absolutely vile.
Serious security concerns
We’ve had some regulars with very strange weaknesses.
A woman, for example, always comes in and insists on opening all the windows, regardless of the weather.
We have so few employees that if something goes wrong we will have very little support.
Secret Librarian
And another who will only use computer number seven – and if that one isn’t free, it will stay behind the person until they leave.
Libraries are designated as “warm spaces” – free community spaces where people can come to stay warm – so all types of people can come in, not just
avid readers.
I worked in a library in Birmingham for a while and a man would come in and say how much he hated the city, it was quite disconcerting.
It has recently been suggested that libraries should have panic buttons installed and staff should wear body cameras.
I think it’s a good idea, because although I’ve never seriously worried about my safety, I can see how situations can evolve.
We have so few employees that if something goes wrong we will have very little support.
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Bathroom drug deaths
We found drugs in the bathrooms, both needles and aluminum foil.
So, periodically we have to lock the doors so that people can ask for the keys, which would break the habit of thinking it was a
good and regular place to use drugs.
It can be very sad to see people who are clearly regular users, some of whom look so sick.
I’ve heard of people being found dead in library bathrooms, but luckily that’s never happened in the ones I’ve worked at.
Canoodling in bean bags
We have a group of teenagers who come almost every Friday – and shout random swear words out loud.
We call them ‘swearing boys’.
They usually run away after a minute or so, but if they don’t, we ask them to leave.
I was abused by them, last time they called me names in a horrible and very graphic way, which I shouldn’t have to tolerate.
Other teenagers come in and cuddle on the beanbags, especially in the winter because it’s warmer here than in the local park.
Some teenagers are very loud and I know there are libraries that have a big problem with them coming in and throwing books and climbing the shelves.
You have to kick them out, because it’s not fair to other people, but a large group of teenagers is intimidating – and boys are much worse than girls.
Boredom and having sex
I also worked briefly in a university library and that was much worse for sex.
Students would get bored and take a cheeky break in the back of the library – this was well known.
I never caught anyone in the act, but I saw some pretty red faces….
I wasn’t too worried as it wasn’t open to the public, they were discreet and I figured other students would see worse in the union bar!
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Book rage
‘Book rage’ abounds.
Surprisingly, people get really angry if you can’t find the right book for them.
Sometimes they come up with the vaguest plot outline imaginable and say, ‘you know it’s set in the war, in the big house in the country.’
They then get very frustrated when you can’t identify which book it is!
Dump and run
In the past, mothers would come in and leave their children while they went shopping.
But nowadays it is not allowed.
But mothers, and especially fathers, often come in and point out the children’s section to their children and then sit in front of the phone, ignoring them instead of interacting.
This means we often end up feeling like babysitters.
Dirty rhyme time
In a library, I was responsible for organizing weekly groups of mothers with rattles and rhymes.
The toys would sit in a box and I would drag them out once a week – they literally never got cleaned back then.
But post-pandemic they are more careful.
There were some pretty wild kids in the group, so I strategically placed copies of Jo Frost’s Super Babysitters books, hoping the moms would pick up on her tips….
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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