Search articles from thousands of Examiners
Write for us
Phoenix Arts and Entertainment Seattle Books Examiner
Seattle Books Examiner

Top 20 things librarians in public libraries wish patrons knew or did (part 3 of 4)

November 20, 9:31 AMSeattle Books ExaminerDanielle Dreger-Babbitt
3 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe


Get alerts when there is a new article from the Seattle Books Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.
Email Address


  Include other special offers from Examiner.com
Terms of Use


Even batgirl was a librarian

On Monday and Tuesday I started a list of 20 things librarians wish patrons knew (or did) before visiting the library.  Librarians love their patrons.  Many librarians even have their favorites, those who make an extra effort to be kind when asking for help.  I'll admit I've had a few favorites in my years of library service (I just won't disclose who because it wouldn't be fair).   The items on today's list were supplied by librarians in Boston and Indianapolis.

10.  Let your librarian know what materials you'd like to see on the shelf.  Librarians feed off patron recommendations.  We really try to buy what you like to read, watch, and listen to.  If you find that we don't have a particular title you need, don't be shy about asking us to purchase it.  We don't always buy everything patrons to ask, but we do tend to buy most.  If we can't buy it, we'll find you another copy or request it from Inter-Library Loan (ILL) from another library.

9.  Practice good hygiene.  We're not asking you to put on a full face of makeup or bathe yourself in cologne (in fact it's probably better if you don't do the latter).  Winter is cold and flu season.  If you are sick, please try to sneeze away from the computer or reference desk.  And please wash your hands!

8.  Please listen to us the first (or even second)  time we say something This goes for when we answer a reference question or ask you to lower your voice.  No one likes to listen to a broken record.

7.  If possible, check out all materials at once from the circulation desk.  This ties up the library assistant's and circulation clerk's time.  It help avoids a backup at the circulation desk, especially during busy times or when the desk is short staffed.  Be mindful of your time at the self checkout station as well.

6.  Tell us what you like  This goes for item #10, but also for items we've already bought for the library.  If you like the video games or the new mystery books, or a particular program, tell us so that we can keep doing it.  If you don't like something, tell us that too.  It's the only way we can make changes.  If the library has a comment card, please fill it out!

Stay tuned for tomorrow for part 4, the final installment.  In case you missed them, here are part 1 or part 2.

 

 

Special thanks to librarians Rachael, Steve, Libby, and Laura for their suggestions.
Image from www.bibl.u.szeged.hu/ejszaka_2005/kepk_eng.htm
Have suggestions for future lists for school librarians, academic librarians, or special libraries?  Email your suggestions to seattle.book.examiner@gmail.com

Comments

Name:


Comments:
characters left

NOTE: Do Not Alter These Fields:

Recent Articles

Thursday, November 5, 2009
It was announced earlier this week that Capitol Hill's popular Bailey/ Coy Books will close at the end of November. Bailey/Coy Books, founded by …
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Skagit River Poetry Project has won the 2009 KCTS 9 Golden Apple Award for its long-running Poetry-in-the-Schools program. The award, which is …

Things to see and do

Langhorne Slim
09 Nov 2009 - 7 pm
Rhythm Room, The
More music »
Used, The
Marquee Theatre
New Heathers, The
Martini Ranch - Scottsdale