daspie wrote:
safffron wrote:
daspie wrote:
LIBRARIAN: This is also aspie friendly as it requires arranging books according to a rule, issuing them to readers according to rule. So it does not require people skills.
These sound like the responsibilities of a library clerk, not a librarian, unless it's at a small library where multitasking might be necessary.
A reference or research librarian (or media/information specialist) often has to deal with the public, though it is usually one-on-one, so that might be an ideal situation. So is working in acquisitions.
O.K., yes I meant library clerk. Thanks for the clarification.
Erm, excuse me...
Library ASSISTANTS (or clerks as you call them) have the
most public interaction in a library, since librarians are caught up in stock work and therefore their desk work is minimalised. There is no such library job in which you only arrange books according to rule and issue them in a robotic manner.
Library ASSISTANTS have to deal with people of multiple nationalities, ages and mental capabilities, have to throw out fighting teenagers, help with IT problems, assist people in finding books, answer enquiries on anything from gretna green elopements to the address of the local job centre, offer local information, and, at all times, be friendly, helpful, calm and sociable. It is highly likely when shelf-tidying (as it is properly called
) that you will be randomly jumped by a member of the public wanting to know anything from where the toilet is to whether you have any more books by (x) author, which is exactly the same as being hailed in a sales environment. Only often the information is more varied. You might be asked to uncrash someone's laptop, the text of which is entirely in a language you don't understand...or you might just be asked whether you might have a book on venus fly traps. Oh, and when you're sorting the children's library, it's very possible a class of kids will descend on you, call you "miss" and treat you like teacher as they look for books that interest them.
THIS IS A VERY SOCIAL JOB with a LOT of unpredictability and not much actual routine.
As an Aspie, I worked this job for 7 years and received commendation for my public skills and customer service. Which just proves that jobs don't depend on the disability, but the individual. In my case, too, I had to run the county requests, which meant dealing with internal and external branch staff, public requesters and training other staff.
Please don't dismiss something as impossible when it's not.
On the contrary, it's a lovely job and I miss it very much (I left because my library was closed down by government cuts). I am currently trying to get another library job, so that should tell you everything =D.