LIFE Magazine, March 18, 1957; a great year, a great question -- should your child be a librarian? Why yes, she/he should. Being a librarian is fabulous: great hair, great clothes, surrounded by books, nice cozy desk job, sharp pencils, lots of stamping with rubber stamps, everything is in order. It's the ideal job! The Bourgeois Librarian currently has two of them -- granted, she isn't getting paid, she's doing a little pro bono work. Actually, she's trying her "archivist" shoes and volunteering in two different archives. It's lovely -- like a library but minus the patrons! There are definite perks . . .

The BL has a job! . . . working for her father. Does that count? Long hours and the promise of meager income -- sounds like a job to me! But seriously, it's great to be working and doing something I love, and being useful, and having a purpose, and -- whoa, I'm hyperventilating.
Yesterday the Bourgeois Librarian was feeling smart; so she wrote to a some high-up at the Smithsonian about writing a book review. Mr. High Up wrote right back to thank her! Wow, such professionalism, such a human touch -- what's wrong with these people I'm submitting job applications to -- they can't even write a "you're not hired" letter! Good grief Charlie Brown. And on that note, happy Great Pumpkin.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are happy days for the otherwise aimless Bourgeois Librarian, because on those days she gets to volunteer in an archive! Yes, she files, she sorts, she scoffs at acid-laden filing materials while preserving those tender relics of history. Soon the rare books will be in order and she can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that another bunch of books have been tended and cared for. Each book must be cataloged and ordered accordingly -- it's lovely lovely work. If only I could get paid for it . . . ?

Parties aside, the Bourgeois Librarian must admit to feeling a bit of ennui lately. Each new day promises to bring many new adventures, but every evening the never-arriving adventures are put on hold until tomorrow. Yes, while amazingly energetic in the presence of other people, this wayward librarian is a puddle of lifelessness when left alone. Should she go out in search of lox today?

The Bourgeois Librarian is on her way to a party. The BL is not entirely sure how she feels about parties -- they can be loads of fun, but then some can be frightfully depressing. Today's party will be in a foreign language -- literally -- and so she is a tad bit concerned. Speaking in a foreign language tends to be extremely exhausting, and since she knows hardly anyone at the party to begin with, she is likely to come home tired; too tired, perhaps, even to read (Gasp!).

The BL also has a confession to make. She has been very, very lazy these past few . . . er . . . weeks. But especially so these past few days. She has resolved to turn a new page and reform! Reform, I say! The success of this venture will be posted on in days to come. For now, with clean socks and nerdly attire she is ready to attend said party and do her best.

The Bourgeois Librarian has been gone far too long, dear reader. She apologizes profusely. Since you last heard from her she was a library student, and prior to that working temporarily in a southern public library. Since that time The Bourgeois Librarian has graduated and become a bona fide librarian. Now calm the cheering, she is loathe to inform you that all has not gone to plan. Not only is The Bourgeois Librarian not yet Queen of the Library, she is not even employed!!! So pitiful in fact that the archive she hoped to volunteer for has not returned her call.
But dry your tears, she perseveres! The Bourgeois Librarian is still putting her well-honed skills to use around the house. Things are getting very . . . very organized.