August 8th, 2008 by
wdungey Posted in
Articles, Institutional Library Services |
Comments Off on How do you know you did a good job?
Sometimes we need a reminder that we mean something to the world – it seems to ignore my wishes so well. I was telling my program manager (yes, I am part of the programmed) that the stories we need to tell the Legislature are the ones about inmates that leave our libraries and become good citizens. But then good citizens don’t get in the news too much, do they? And I guess if I were jailed with Martin Luther King, Jr. during his protests and struggle I might share that, but being just a thug and a bad one that was caught and punished for it – that doesn’t get aired until you are sitting in the rocker at the old folks home. Well, this morning in the email was a letter with a name I didn’t recognize and was about to be deleted – like I would ever answer the people needing my help with their new found wealth and banking troubles.
“Hey Earl.
I worked for you for a few years at MICC. (I was the black gentlemen in need of a serious haircut!!!! HAH!!) You may be hard pressed to remember me as I got out in 2001, and never went back. (I attached a couple pictures to help you remember). I changed my name. As crazy as this sounds, I was just having a big old belly laugh about some of the times I had in that library. The petty things some of the prisoners were overly concerned with. I wanted to thank you for a few things.
First.. thank you for treating everyone fairly. You treated all of us the same. Like human beings, despite whatever acts we may have been involved with. I was in prison for seven years and you were the ONLY staff who behaved in a consistently civilized manner. You also didn’t take any crap and I respected you for it.
Thank you for George R.R. Martin… who proved to me that fantasy fiction did not have to be silly. Until meeting you I wouldn’t read any fantasy (being convinced that they were all bad Dungeons and Dragons sessions run amuck). I have been married for four years. My wife loves George Martin now and I have shouted his praise whenever it was appropriate. You were someone I looked forward to talking to everyday. In a place that was… less than hospitable. I took our discussions on adult relationships to heart, and I searched very hard for my wonderful wife, and have tried to be the best husband in the world for her.
Keep up the good work. Some of us do become rehabilitated. I am a 1/3rd shareholder in a company that produces web sites. I am also the sole proprietor of my own music publishing company, which has actually got some big projects on board to make me some money. The books you helped me to get on inter-library loan gave me the knowledge to make a living. Thanks for al your effort. I usually was way over the limit in my number of borrowed books. I want you to know I read every single one. It wasn’t a waste. Thanks.
(I read your home page after googling your name). I am proud to have learned a few things from you. You may be having a bigger impact on peoples lives than you know. Maybe next time I’m in Tacoma we can get a cup of tea (I don’t drink alcohol at all) and you can meet my wife and kids. I’ve told her all about you.. the one nice guy in a land of jackals.
The best to you and yours,”
Well, that fits what I was saying about what the Institutional Libraries needed in support. Of all the things I got from the Soviet Union, I got one piece of Tactical Doctrine: “Exploit Success, forget about the rest” Focus on the positive and enlarge what is working well, and remember that although one can be replaced – there would still be the void of who you really are and that may make all the difference.
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