If you’ve ever remodeled a house, you probably have a sense of how wearing it can be day after day to listen to banging, drilling, and the whine of power saws.

But have you ever worked in a setting where the FBI can demand to see information about the clients you honor and serve and whose privacy you regard as sacred?

And have you ever been faced with the looming task of completely reconfiguring and reorganizing a collection of 35,000 books? While you’re dealing with drastic budget shortfalls and waving good-bye to one of two full-time employees who is leaving during the busiest season and will most likely not be replaced for at least six months?

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Does the phone ring constantly at your place of business with people who want to use your computers? And do you have to set a timer every 15 minutes to keep track of them?

You probably thought that your library staff members sat comfortably at the circulation checking out books, answering an occasional reference question, pointing patrons to telephone books and encyclopedias, and helping young children find Berenstain Bears books once in a while. Not so!

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There is a huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to keep a library in good working order. And when a new boss, a shortage of staff, the constant noise of construction equipment, and the FBI factor are added to the myriad daily workings, the pressure can mount.

So please forgive us if, when you donate a box of used books for which there is not a lick of space, our hair stands on end, our eyes bug out, and we begin to hyperventilate. It’s not that we’re not grateful for the donation; it’s just that we’re pretty overwhelmed these days.

Because of the construction, the Friends of the Library will not hold its annual used book sale this August.

Aside from the fact that there is no place in the parking lot for a storage unit to house books until the sale, the staff has enough moving and organizing to do with the total reconfiguration of the stacks once the addition is completed in (hopefully) August, that the thought of another armload of books to store, sort, and move is just too much to handle this summer.

Our job is to satisfy your book requests, answer your questions, find you computer time and make the world of information a little more accessible to you. The Truckee Library staff meets once a month to try to iron out problems and make the library as welcoming and satisfying an experience for the community as possible.

The friends do their utmost to go above and beyond to offer additional programs, support, and oversight.

So have a little patience with us during these stressful times. In just a few months we expect to be able to offer you a vastly improved library. And to receive your book donations with open arms and a smile.

Children’s programs

Toddlertime and Babes in Bookland will resume in the middle of July

Saturday storytelling with Mrs. Fix

Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., for ages 3-6 years old

Summer reading program

For all ages, starts June 13

Friends of the Library

Meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month, 6:30 p.m. at the library

On display

“Easels” by Justine Lasdin

Pam McAdoo is a Truckee resident, artist, and active in library issues for the community.