Seattle's famous librarian, Nancy Pearl
Librarians work harder than most patrons and non-patron realize. We often spend most (if not all) of our day "on desk" answering reference questions and helping patrons find what they need while planning programs and ordering materials for the library's collection. We're good at what we do and we love what we do.
I took an informal poll from librarians I know in Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, New York City, and Portland about what they wish library patrons knew or did. The following list is what they came up with. (Note: they're not disgruntled, they just want to be able to provide the best customer service to patrons possible.)
20. Enough with the "sexy librarian" jokes. We've heard them all before. Be original and tell us a new (clean) joke. You have a better chance of making us laugh this way.
19. Ask us for what you really want, Please be specific! If you (or your child) need materials on how American pioneers lived while on the Oregon Trail, don't ask where the "history section" is. Of course, a good librarian will ask you questions to narrow it down.
18. Ask us what we read. It's in our job description to be avid readers. We're supposed to give recommendations to our patrons. Plus we love to talk about books. Please ask us what we're reading or what you should read next. Who knows, you could wind up with a new favorite author.
17. Do not leave your child (or children) unattended- for their safety. This includes when you're on a computer or at work or running errands. Librarians have too much on their plate to babysit in addition to their regular workload. Plus we might not know you or your child well enough to know if they are going home with a family member or stranger. You wouldn't leave your child alone at the mall or a park would you? Stranger Danger exists everywhere, so please keep an eye on your kid as you use the library.
16. Come to our programs! They are free entertainment for the whole family, which is especially great during the current economic crisis. We work hard to plan lecture series, author visits, video game programs, movie nights, book clubs, and knitting circles. We'll continue to have cutting edge and entertaining programs as long as you keep coming. Besides, high attendance at programs makes the library look good (and while you are there, why not check out a book?). If a library draws huge program numbers it is likely to continue to receive funding from the town or city to continue doing them.
Stay tuned for parts 2, 3, and 4 later this week.
Comments
For number 19, maybe its also helpful for patrons to make up a list of the books they want beforehand or to bring a copy of the book review they use.
You might like to correct a typo.
"Librarians have to much on their plate to babysit in addition to their regular workload."
The sentence should read, "Librarians have too much..."
I've never heard a "sexy librarian" joke, clean or dirty. Can you post one of the dirtiest ones? Please!
CCL- Thank you for pointing out my typo.
These aren't things you wish they knew, but more what you wish they would do... no knowledge there.
How about: I wish patrons knew what a call number is, and how to find a book using this unique address, or wish that they understand that the reference librarian is there to help, so they aren't "interrupting you", really.
Stranger Danger - a catchey term I had not heard before! Maybe someone can use it on a poster, campaign, etc!
You point out that librarians do mostly reference and ordering. The other half of a library's operations was not even mentioned. What about cataloging and tech. services? There is a whole world of librarians behind those doors. I hope you mention them in rest of your article.
Michele and Edwina- thank you for your ideas. Perhaps I'll have to incorporate them in a future post "20 More Things Librarians Wish Patrons Knew." This round I was trying to focus more on the customer service end that patrons see.
I also wish you had specified that these are things *public* librarians wish patrons would do. There are many types of librarianship, and a tech librarian, corporate information professional, or archivist might have a whole other wish list!
Allyson- thanks for the suggestion. I changed all my headlines to reflect that these are things librarians in public libraries wish patrons knew or did.
Hi Danielle,
How about a "role-reversal" ("walk a mile in their shoes")-type of article -- as in "Top 20 Things Patrons in Public Libraries Wish the Librarians Knew or Did"?
I'm a public librarian -- and I'd be brave enough to hear "their side"!
Becky, excellent suggestion!
Library Patrons everywhere- what do you wish your librarians knew or did? I'll compile a list for a few columns in December.
Yay, Danielle! This is *awesome*! You are awesome. But we already knew that. :-)
Congrats on being the library link of the day!
Love it. Enjoy the rain and thanks for providing some insight into the baffling and depraved minds of librarians:).
Sara in AK
I loved your list. Now how about...
How about a list of things that school library media specialists wished their students, teachers, administrators and parents knew.
As a librarian, I agree with ALL of these. Ditto to bringing sick children to the library. Parents, keep them at home. Add to cell phones...Please turn your cell phone OFF when you are in the library, especially when you are attending library programs. It's very distracting when parents talk on cell phones during storytime when they are supposed to be enjoying an interactive program with their children.
Also, patrons (adults and children) bring your own library card when coming to the library. In most libraries you need your own card to use the computers, check out books, register for programs etc. They are NOT too heavy, and they don't use up lots of space. A library card is a small, thin, lightweight piece of plastic.
To students, begin your research early. Don't wait until the night before a project is due to come to the library. We can find information for you, but not five minutes before closing and not when all of the materials are checked out.
Thanks JJD! Good call on starting research early!
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