BETSY LERNER / VIVIAN SWIFT

I was in the library the other day researching how to write a query letter when I stumbled upon Vivian Swift's blog. Vivian suggested Betsy Lerner's book, "The Forest For the Trees" and mentioned how one could get it at their library. I checked with the librarian to see if she could order a copy for me. She punched the information into the computer, wrote down some numbers and handed me the slip of paper. "You have it here?" I said surprised. "Yes." was all she said and then sent me on my way. I searched and searched the book shelves, but couldn't find it. Concentrating on the task at hand, I didn't hear her when she walked up behind me, cat like, and scared the crap out of me, "Are you finding it okay?" She asked.  When my heart started beating again, I answered her, "No, I'm not."  "I was wondering what was taking you so long." She said with no humor. "Well, let's see," she said looking over her glasses, "808.2 should be right here next to 808.1."  "808.2." I said. "You wrote down 802.2." And then I enthusiastically offered the piece of paper she had given me as proof. I should have known better than to challenge her expertise - because I'm almost cetain that she was a teacher prior to becoming a librarian. She shot me a fierce look. Felt like I was headed straight for the principle's office. She turned and headed back to her desk. Meanwhile, my phone rang. Since the library has a no phone policy, I took the call in the back where no one could hear me. It was my wife, Diana, "Did you find anything on query letters?" She asked.  "Yes, I did. Besty Lerner has a book on the subject."  "Betsy Lerner!" my wife screamed so loud that all the patrons turned and looked in my direction. "Can you ask the library to order a copy?"  "I already asked about the book and was told that they already had it. It must be out because it wasn't on the shelf."  "Can you tell them to put it on hold for you?"  Bypassing the first librarian, I spoke with another librarian to see if someone had the book out. She deferred back to the first librarian. While I waited, I sat back down at my computer to check out Betsy's blog and discovered she had a posting about screaming. I also have a posting about screaming on my blog. Worried that she would think I swiped her work, I checked the date of my posting. Whew! My posting is April 2nd...hers is April 3rd. The first librarian retruned to tell me that the book was missing and that they had ordered a new copy. She then told me to check back in a couple of days. I could just imagine the look on my wife's face when I arrived home empty handed. Even more astonishing would be the look she gave me when I told her she'd be the one going back for the book.