OVERDUE NOTICE BLUES

I used to work at the Main Library
You know, the old one way down town
Down in the dark and dirty basement
Typing overdues all alone. (The stacks were closed in those days)
You'd think that I'd get lonely
But the phone kept me company.
I bet I got more phone calls than BellSouth and AT&T.

They'd send me love notes down the book drop
They'd call me on the phone
Just to tell me they returned the books
My records showed were still on loan.
But when I'd tell them, "yes, I found your book,"
They'd sound so down and blue, because
"Now," they'd say, "I don't have an excuse... to call you!"

(CHORUS)

Sometimes I wonder why we

Go through the trouble

Of sending a bill,

Because no one's ever failed

To return a book

In the city of Jacksonville.

Now workflows sends my notices
And my old workplace is gone
They can't call me on the phone any more
Instead, they have to log on.
How I miss my cards and letters
And photo's they used to send me,
Although, I admit, some of that stuff
I'd rather have not received.

(repeat chorus, if you want)

by Suzanne Theriault
former overdue notice Czar
(all rights reserved)