Library work, a goodbye party, and out on the town.

American Library in Paris:

Today was my last day working at the American Library in Paris. It has been an amazing pleasure for me and the experience is fantastic! In addition to my reference work I have had the chance to do original cataloging of books and videos. I created bibliographies and compilations of articles for university students passing exams on American History and Literature (I ended up compiling three booklets (and even bound them - see picture). I created the streaming video of the author talk to be used on the library's website. I helped out in the Children's department a little bit. I learned the process of ordering, cataloging and processing serials for the library. I was able to assist Simone each morning (the man who does everything!) as I arrived always arrived early (and he was always already at the library working at his normal quick pace). I admire Simone a lot and learned so much from him, indescribable really (not to say that I didn't learn a great deal from each staff person that I met - I did absolutely). Simone and I connected very well - he loved that I always wanted to work hard, to learn new things, have something to do (and he always laughed at my eagerness to move and lift things - even in a skirt!)- I learned a lot of history from him as he has an endless amount of stories - he is a wise and charming man, I'm going to miss seeing him, but I'll never forget him - I can always carry that with me. Relating to library work - we talked a lot about acquisitions, weeding, cataloging and organization. I remember the day, a few weeks ago, when we were down in the basement together, talking about the order of things. He was telling me that there was no more space in a specific spot to accommodate a new acquisition, he was worried about space issues in general and he was fretting about it and (using my stacks management skills -(hehe - SPC/UA staff!), and my muscles) I was able to suggest a solution and he was so happy we arranged shelves shifted, and it worked out well. I was thrilled to be able to help a man who is the one with all of the answers - it was so great. After that, I arrived many mornings to find little tasks that he deemed me "good enough" to do - I was honored.

Today I was working on finding some duplicate books to pull and weed from the collection for Simone. It was early, before the library was opened. All of the staff was there tidying up (something they do every August). I was in the Shakespeare section and was navigating on my knees through the tiny call numbers, looking for a specific book - and then Adele (the assistant director) came by and said, "Melissa, I know where that book you're looking for is." I thought that was odd - but these people are pretty amazing, and maybe Simone had told her what I was searching for. So I was walking with her, believing her all the way, ready to find the book (gullible me) and we walked into the break room (it's very tiny) and it was full of all of the staff and they had a present for me on the table, a card, and Adele had baked some goodies the night before, and brought them with her on her morning commute via train! Those of you who know me well, know how emotional I can be and I really had to hold it in - i was stunned (but no, I didn't cry)!!!!!!! I was not expecting anything and I was so touched - beyond belief. They told me to open my gift, and I started with the card which is signed with a little note from everyone! I had a big lump in my throat - it is so sweet! They all said such nice things and were all so sad I was leaving, I was touched. Then I opened the gift which is a American Library in Paris book bag - yay! It's so great. We all drank orange juice and ate Adele's sweets. And then we went back to work.

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Dani (the volunteer who I had dinner with previously) took me to lunch in a sweet little place (that was fancy) on Tuesday and Adele took me to a cool Parisian Brasserie (she told me it's one of her favorites) just around the corner from the library yesterday. I will never forget these kind people and I hope to stay in touch with them. What a great way to end an internship.

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At the close of the work day, we were all leaving together and I had a handful of books that Simone had given me for my flight (he has supplied me with good reading throughout this trip - he personally handed me "A Moveable Feast" - by F.Scott Fitzgerald just a couple of days ago - about his time in Paris - and I loved it because I had walked by several of the cafes mentioned and it was interesting and fun to read). So I was standing there, with my books, on the receiving end of many double kisses - while I gave hugs too - and then Simone wanted to give me another bag - to check for my flight, to accommodate the many books and extra stuff (not that I have a lot - but, you know how things expand) - this was preceded by much discussion by everyone (I couldn't get a word in and before I knew it I was standing there with an armload of things, and a bag and a fancy wrapped little gift.

I walked out with everyone (leaving Simone behind - still working, of course) and Kim asked me out for some drinks. We went out and I had a great time. Kim being French was able to order and relate to the waitstaff and we received excellent service, great drinks and I got to learn all about the aperitif. After that, we hopped the metro and went to a restaurant that is (apparently - Kim told me) famous. Since we had been drinking and walking a lot - and I didn't have a lot with me (and Kim's accent is kind of strong) I can't for the life of me remember the name!!! I'll write about it again though, because she and Helen (the Children's librarian) invited me out to watch a movie in the open air cinema (Hey Jim, thanks for the tip about this too!) 'Cinema en plein air - park La Villette. We are meeting up tomorrow night. They are inviting friends and Helen just recently got officially married to a French man (she's Greek and Canadian) and so she has some friends in town too - and Kim is going to cook - it should be a fun picnic and cinema experience - so I'll catch the name of the restaurant tomorrow from Kim and I'll try to write about it soon - but just a little highlight: I ate snails!! They were good (I was actually probably mostly tasting the delicious butter and herb sauce - but the whole dinner experience was great and I am really happy that Kim and I had a chance to go out on the town - what fun!

I'll talk to you all soon. I still have a few days left in Paris!

Love,

Melissa

p.s. I've posted pictures from the library. The images from the outside represent the back and the front of the building - notice its proximity to the Eiffel Tower! And I took pictures of the staff that I'll treasure, but I am respecting their privacy by not posting them here - I can show you the next time I see you. I also posted a cheesy picture of me at the reference desk - the only one. I felt awkward when Adele insisted she take it - notice my stiff smile (too bad it wasn't an action shot - but you don't often have a camera at the ready while providing reference service - right?).