I had my interview, but wanted to wait until I had given it a few days to process the general impression. I did a good job, I know that much. I came across as knowledgeable, personable, and willing to learn on the job. The committee seemed very nice, and while they stuck to the script (literally reading off a paper and taking notes), the more I gave honest answers that highlighted my unique experience at LIB, working on global teams, and training people across the bank, the more interested they seemed. I'm sure some of the things I said I would have reworded or responded completely differently, but overall, good interview for my first time in 14 years.

There was only one sticking point. I knew that the maker lab would be for all ages, and I can handle minimal contact with children. The more I learned though, the uneasier I became about whether this was primarily a children's position. First clue, the lab was created to foster interactive play, second, the examples given were "A 6 and a 10 year old come into the lab..."

I don't do children. I generally don't know what to say to them, I don't speak down to them, and I have zero interest in "playing" with them. A precocious 10 year old is fine, and once they hit adolescence that's okay too, but any position that is dealing with 6 year olds on a regular basis will be a problem for me. When I was 14-18 I worked in a children's library shelving books, and realized at 14 that I loved the books and hated the kids.

If I'm lucky they will have sensed my discomfort with those questions, and they won't offer me the job. I can gracefully bow out and ask them to keep me in mind for future positions in adult services or administration, and everyone involved will be happy. Please please please please please...

*sigh* Public libraries. How I simultaneously love and hate you.