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

November 21, 10:00 AMSeattle Books ExaminerDanielle Dreger-Babbitt

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Today marks my final installment of "Top 20 Things Librarians Wish Patrons Knew."  I took an informal poll and asked librarians from around the country what they wish patrons knew or did before they came into the library.  What most patrons and non-patrons know is that dealing with patrons (mostly the good ones) are the best part of a librarian's day.  We all have our favorites, (just don't ask us to name names, it wouldn't be fair.  But if you frequent your local library and the librarian at the reference desk or children's department is especially nice and helpful, it could be you).  These are the patrons who make our job a little more enjoyable, who make us look forward to coming to work everyday to help people.  I won't lie, there are patrons who make our job difficult and often challenging.  If you're afraid you fall into the latter category, go back and read parts 1, 2, 3, and take a look at part 4 below.  You may soon find yourself a favorite of your local librarian.

5.  Return your items on time.  Keeping library materials past their loan period ties them up, especially items that are popular and have a long waiting list.  Return your copy of Twilight on time and your fellow patrons will be grateful. 

4.  Pay your fines.  This is a no-brainier and goes hand in hand with #5.  It's understandable that your items are late because you forgot them in the car or your kid shoved it under the bed and it took you a week to find it.  Almost everyone (even librarians) have had late items at one time or another.  For the most part patrons are good about paying their fines, but there are usually a few who make it a bigger deal than it actually is.  Do you call American Express after you miss a payment and are charged a late fee and beg them to reverse it even though it was your mistake?  Probably not.  Suck it up and pay the $1 fine.  If you leave it too long (or owe hundreds of dollars in lost items) you risk the library turning you over to a collection agency.  Avoid a black mark on your credit score and pay your fines.

3.  Be respectful of other library patrons.  This includes giving the person ahead of you at the reference desk enough space, not yelling at your kids across the room, talking on your cell phone at the computer, and swearing.  The library doesn't have to be a quiet place, but it doesn't need to sound like Husky Stadium.

2.  We support Intellectual Freedom.  Librarians and circulation clerks are not the content police.  We will not prevent a six year-old child from checking out Nightmare on Elm Street or The Book of Bunny Suicides.  We believe that it is the parent's or guardian's responsibility to monitor what their children take out of the library.  If you do feel an item is inappropriate or should be withdrawn from the collection, ask your librarian for the proper paperwork to fill out.  We can't guarantee it will be removed, but it will be considered by a committee and often reshelved in a different section of the library.

1.  Use us!   We might be in a recession, but don't let the current economic crisis keep you and your family from having fun.  Do your holiday shopping at a library book sale (there's one tomorrow in Magnuson Park in Seattle), attend library programs, lectures, and author talks, check out new DVD's, CD's, video games, and best sellers, and use the free wi-fi.  The library will continue to offer these things as long as you use them.