Hello!

I have two good friends who have told me for years that I needed to do a blog.  They like my sense of humor and observations about the world.  But I just couldn't think of what to blog about.  I am a librarian and know there are many library/librarian oriented blogs out there.  One of my favorites was Ref Grunt.  I could totally relate to him being a reference librarian myself.   Another favorite was Will Unwound by Will Manley. He just stopped doing it to focus on writing a book.  Hopefully he will keep writing The Manley Arts for Booklist.  Two more favorite blogs (not library related) are by the writer Jane Heller - Mainly Jane and Confessions of a She-Fan.  I discovered Jane Heller because of her book Confessions of a She-Fan - about her obsession with the New York Yankees.  I too love the New York Yankees and could relate and then started reading her blogs.   But anyway...back to my new blog.

In 2011, I went on a trip with a good friend to England.  It was really great despite the fact I had my HUGE suitcase and for some reason didn't realize that I would be dragging it with me everywhere.  I would love to do the trip again with a duffel bag and quick dry clothing.  But anyway..While we would be on a train or walking, my friend would say "you have to do a blog".  Then I would rattle off ideas for the blog.  The one I remember was "The Lovelorn Librarian" and talk about my attempts at dating.  She promptly said "Nope, too cliched".

One stop on the trip was Oxford and Oxford University.  I LOVE OXFORD and can't wait to go back again.   In case you don't know, you can use the dorm rooms as a bed and breakfast when classes aren't in session.  We stayed at Jesus College.   One of the most famous alumni of Jesus College was T.E. Lawrence aka Lawrence of Arabia. One morning while we were eating breakfast and discussing my blog, I looked up and saw a painting of T.E. Lawrence and said "Maybe I can be Melissa of the Reference Desk sort of like Lawrence of Arabia".  We both laughed and the name had stuck with me for the last couple of years.

I finally decided to just do it and blog.   I know I have lots to say about being a reference librarian and the state of public libraries as well as enough stuff outside of the library world.   I just hope people find my blog and find it entertaining.  I really do hope to be as entertaining as Ref Grunt, Will Manley, and Jane Heller.

So here we go!!