Write a story about a librarian that doesn’t fit into the common librarian stereotypes.

Posted in Fiction on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 66 stories

“Jack the Ripper” by Kathleen Fine

“What can I help you with?” Jack asked the middle-aged woman standing in front of him at the information desk. He was always happy to help. The woman’s wiry, grey streaked hair looked like it hadn’t been brushed in days. Jack rubbed his hand over his bald as he looked down at the woman, glad for once that he didn’t have to worry about hair care.“My book is missing the last page,” she said urgently, pushing a copy of The Help towards Jack as if it were diseased.Jack frowned and put on his glasses. “Missing...

36 comments 36

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“The Living Library” by Howard Halsall

Despite our best efforts, Emily and I were no nearer starting a family or finding a replacement to manage the Library. She was eager for stability, and my unwillingness to commit and guarantee a departure date was a source of contention. Emily refused to believe that I couldn’t just serve my notice and leave.‘It’s not like you’re saving lives, Jim,’ she’d say. ‘You’re a librarian, for God’s sake.’#I’d accepted the post a year before meeting Emily and adored my work. The first time she appeared, I recall being on the g...

29 comments 29

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“Library of Lives” by Katharine Widdows

“Collecting for the library! Collecting for the library!” shouted Gretham as the shire horses rounded the corner into the biggest slum in Pannegul. “Come on, don’t be shy, any story or talent accepted. Collecting for the library! Human books wanted!”Gretham lifted his scarf over his mouth and nose, but rotting market vegetables and rancid animal dung seeped through the fabric. His ears were assaulted by the chatter, the dogs barking, the slopping mud and the clanging of makeshift, metal doors.A small bo...

29 comments 29

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“The Harpy Librarian” by Malik White

Sylise was one of Grand Isle Library’s most beloved and committed librarians. Born of harpy descent, her scaled hands and taloned feet made her stand out from her peers. The brown feathered wings that sprouted from her back made traversal around the grand library easy, especially when she needed to grab a book on the top shelf. Be it human or elf, thief or hero, she gave everyone a chance to take out her books, on the o...

21 comments 21 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“The Head Librarian” by Laura Jarosz

Mrs. Audrey Lambert adjusted her steel-gray bun and nudged her glasses a little bit farther up her nose as she unlocked the library doors and marched resolutely inside to begin the day. As she arrived at her desk and stowed her purse in its designated drawer, her gaze lingered for a moment on the nameplate sitting on the edge of her desktop: Audrey Lambert Assistant Librarian ...

11 comments 11

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“Wounds as Old as Time” by J.C. Lovero

Happily ever after was overrated.The children clapped as Belle waved her wand in the air. Shimmering motes of magic danced around the three little pigs before transporting them back through the Fade. With a full cart of books yet to be re-shelved, she purposefully chose a shorter tale for tonight’s reading. “Can we read another one, Miss Belle?” a little boy asked.“Pretty please?” a little girl begged, her pigtails bobbing up and down with her.She tucked her wand into an oversized pocket of her cerulean bl...

29 comments 29

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“Once an Enemy, Now a Prince” by Graham Kinross

To Lupita Smith the smell of a library was heaven. To Sir Danielle Longbow it was a sharp reminder that she’d spent most of her life illiterate. It was also a reminder that she sneezed in dusty places. “Welcome to my humble commode,” said Carl Northman brightly, arms spread with a book in one. “No, wait. Wrong word.” He flipped the book open again. “Abode. My humble abode.” He frowned. &nbsp...

19 comments 19

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“Afterclap” by Chris Campbell

“You know where you’re standing, Mister?... You’re on Hell Street and I intend sending you right down to the bottom of it.” Confronted in the middle of the town’s thoroughfare by a mere slip of a girl dressed in men’s clothing, the inebriated cowboy wasn’t quite sure whether to fight, run, or laugh the girl home to her momma’s teet. Wynonna Belle was as tough as librarians come in the scheme of things all western. Youngest born of three siblings – all girls – she had to be hard as old nails to survive the harsh realities of...

8 comments 8

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“Shhhhh!” by John K Adams

Shhhhh! They called it spring. Intellectual crocuses sent shoots peeking through encrusted snow. After years of unrest followed by martial law, curfews began to be relaxed. The generation who came of age during the darkness began to explore the potential offered by their rediscovered liberties. The young man known as ‘Roach’ entered the library. Though warm outside, he wore a hoody pulled o...

2 comments 2

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“Dewey Decimal Disasters” by L.M. Lydon

TO: reports@macroshift.com FROM: smreed@metropol.lib.gov RE: Archivobot Initial Performance Report DATE: January 15, 2029 To Whom It May Concern: Per your company’s request and as required by the terms of our contract in exchange for the preferential, discounted financial terms extended to our library as a governmental entity, I am hereby submitting my first p...

12 comments 12

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“Conan the Librarian” by VJ Hamilton

The world is awash in words, short words and long words, hasty words and well-thought-out words, words that cluster to form books and magazines and all kinds of semi-permanent media. What, then, to read? What teaspoonful to sip at while the tsunami breaks over your head? Behold Conan the Librarian. Conan is ready to recommend what you should read next. He is a librarian par excellence but is most brilliant...

6 comments 6

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“Bookworms and Body Slams” by Greg Gillis

Slade McGrath, at 268 pounds was considered one of the most feared men in professional wrestling. His six-foot-eight-inch frame stood towering over everyone as he scanned the room for anything that seemed out of place. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, Slade felt a tug on his shirt. As he spun around, he found himself staring down at a small boy with a book in hi...

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“Can I love you from afar?” by Jessamie R.

She is a mysterious one. Or so I have heard. They say she hides secrets behind those tortoiseshell rimmed glasses and whispers tales of her past to those who gain her trust. Maybe one day she will trust me.I find her unlike other librarians, usually so strict and hmm how do you put it - simply librarian-like. But this woman is different.She is wearing pants. Soft beige corduroy slacks that flare slightly at the bottom. A loose fitted t-shirt with some brand I don't recognise printed on it. Her feet are ...

1 comment 1

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“The Escape Clause” by Lavonne H.

Please note: child/spousal abuse and alcoholism are mentioned.Errors with science are all mine ;)144 517.25 Librarian CalendarUpdate: Clients 25672 and 25673Female and male human couple have chosen Infinite Realities package 2A.Choice by Client 25673 has grave issues and will negate the Escape Clause. Request alternative options for her contract.Eeeoooshyiii

26 comments 26

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“Library of Lost Souls ” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Passing through the Great Empty of this country, there is a small closet of a Library with a sign on the door that reads “Library of Lost Souls.” I was thumbing my way across the country when I happened to find this obscure corner of the world. Now in my profession, I don’t rightly have much time or chance to do any reading, but the small sign hand painted in gold paint on a back door caught my attention and curiosity...

7 comments 7

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Write a story about a librarian that doesn’t fit into the common librarian stereotypes.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 66 stories

“Jack the Ripper” by Kathleen Fine

“The Living Library” by Howard Halsall

“Library of Lives” by Katharine Widdows

“The Harpy Librarian” by Malik White

“The Head Librarian” by Laura Jarosz

“Wounds as Old as Time” by J.C. Lovero

“Once an Enemy, Now a Prince” by Graham Kinross

“Afterclap” by Chris Campbell

“Shhhhh!” by John K Adams

“Dewey Decimal Disasters” by L.M. Lydon

“Conan the Librarian” by VJ Hamilton

“Bookworms and Body Slams” by Greg Gillis

“Can I love you from afar?” by Jessamie R.

“The Escape Clause” by Lavonne H.

“Library of Lost Souls ” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with someone being given a book recommendation.

Write about a character on the hunt to solve a mystery who uses their local library (or librarian) as a source of information.

Write a story that includes one character reading aloud to another.

Write about somebody who likes to work in silence.

Contest #142

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

188

Contest entries

132

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Tired of MS Word?

Explore more writing prompt ideas: