Seattle's famous librarian, Nancy Pearl

Top 20 things librarians wish patrons knew

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.

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Image from biblioharlot.wordpress.com

In case you missed yesterday's post, I conducted an informal poll from librarians I know across the country and asked them what they wished patrons knew or would do before they came to the library.  The five items on today's list are what they suggested.  Keep these in mind the next time you visit your local library.

15.  Please respect the desk barrier.  Unless we invite you to walk around and look over our shoulder, we'd prefer it if you would give us a bit of space.  Please wait for us to turn the computer screen around so that you can see what information we've found for you.

14.  We like it when you thank us.  Librarians are a lot like information detectives.  Sometimes you come to us and ask us a really tough reference question.  When you say "thank you," it reminds us that all of our hard work is worth it.  We often deal with patrons who test our patience, so it is always nice surprise when you tell us we did a good job.

13.  Please be patient with us.  The library is a busy place.  We understand you are pressed for time or that you needed a particular book yesterday;  however, we try our best to give all patrons the same amount of time and help.  We'll be just as generous with our time with you.  Waiting is a part of life.  Chances are you won't have to wait very long before it's your turn.

12.  Hang up your cell phone when you come to the reference desk (or circulation desk).  It's rude, plain and simple.  We're better able to help you once you've finished your call and you can give us the details on what you're looking for.  If you're at the library getting information and materials for a family or member or friend, find out what you need before you approach the desk.  If you still need to speak with them, step away from the desk to make the phone call so that we can help someone else until you get the information you need.

11.  The library has almost as many DVD's as your local video store.  The same goes for CD's and even video games.  We try and buy as much of the current and popular items as possible (in addition to informational and educational items).  Plus our items are free.  Why subscribe to Netflix when you can rent from the library?

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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!

Image from megcabot.com/diary

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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. 

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The coolest libraries in America

by Danielle Dreger-Babbitt, Seattle Books Examiner, www.examiner.com Nov. 3, 2008

Seattle Public Library at Night

The coolest libraries in America.  It's not an oxymoron.  Granted, it's not a phrase you hear everyday.  But libraries are totally cool, even more so when the economy sucks.  Libraries are the new Netflix (bet you didn't know your local library bought new DVDs and circulated them for free).  Libraries are the new bookstore (why pay for magazines or the new Janet Evanovich when you can check it out of the the library).  Libraries are the new mall (most libraries now have teen areas and encourage teens to hang out and read or play games.  Some libraries even have video game tournaments).  So yeah, libraries are cool.  MSN CityGuides recently listed "America's 10 coolest libraries"

Boston Public Library, McKim Building

It should come as no surprise that Seattle Public Library's Central Branch tops the list.  It is 11 stories of glass and steel and sheer architecture genius.  Also, on the list is one of my old stomping grounds: the Boston Public Library, McKim Building.  It is often referred to as "a palace for the people."  Built in 1895, the BPL  boasts murals by John Singer Sargent.  Recently the McKimBuilding has become the site for films.  Scenes for  The Pink Panther 2 were filmed in the Abbey Room and On Broadway had a scene shot in Bates Hall.

Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago

The rest of the list highlights libraries that serve both large and small communities.

• Cuyahoga County Public Library, South Euclid, Ohio
• Los Angeles Public Library, Richard Riordan Central Library, Los Angeles, California
• New York Public Library, Humanities and Social Sciences Library, New York City, New York
• Thomas Crane Memorial Library, Quincy, Massachusetts
• Minneapolis Central Library, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Salt Lake City Public Library, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago, Illinois
• Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, Missouri

Of the remaining eight libraries, I've only seen the Minneapolis Central Library.  On a cross country road trip with a fellow librarian this summer, we made a point to stop and visit the new library.  The library has nearly 40 miles of shelving on it's four floors.  After 2010 it will also include a Planetarium.

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