It would be an outright lie, at least in the case of Nell Redhage, director of the Washington Public Library.

Redhage did not decide to become a librarian until she was over 40 years old. She had originally received her undergraduate degree in music education.

However, when she volunteered in her daughter's school library in Raleigh, N.C., she was encouraged to get her Master of Library Science degree so that she could become a full-time school librarian.

After getting her master's degree, she worked at the school library for a few years.

"It was a good career move," Redhage said. "I really enjoyed it."

When Redhage and her family moved to Pennsylvania, she became a children's librarian at a public library where she eventually became a branch manager, which gave her management experience.

When the position of Washington library director became available, Redhage was able to move back to Washington, where she had grown up.

In her role as library director, Redhage deals with different people every day.

"Everyone is interesting and unique in his or her own way," Redhage said. "That's what makes it fun to be in public service."

Redhage spends her time working with the city administrators and the library board of trustees, managing budgets, taking care of inventory and working with the general public.

Despite the extra work that comes with being director, Redhage said everyone who works in the library gets to do a wide variety of jobs.

"The most common myth out there is that you get to sit around and read books. That never happens," she said. "At this particular library, everybody does everything and not just one specific task."

Some of these tasks include shelving, processing materials, helping people at computers, children's programs, working at the desk and passport acceptance. Redhage would encourage anyone to become a librarian, especially those interested in promoting reading.

"There's so many different ways you can go with a library degree," she said. "There's never a dull moment."