http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikvanhannen/2143007559/
No, my library doesn't look like this (how many do, today?). But the photo captures the essence of a library: the excitement of learning is reflected not only in the books that line the shelves, but also in the images that line the walls and ceiling, and in the perfect illumination of light on the walls, the floor, and the table (as someone noted in the original picture!).
I'd love to visit this library (sigh!). But since it's in the Netherlands, and I'm not planning a trip to Europe anytime in the near future, I'll have to wait.......and be satisfied with the library that I work in every day.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Only Because It's Part of the Job.......
Helping patrons with the copiers.
Ooooh. I cringe whenever I get asked to assist people with the copiers. I don't have a talent for fixing machines, regardless of whether that "thing" is a copier, a fax machine, or a computer. But at least the computer is essential to my favorite part of the job - helping people find information. And our Branch doesn't have a public fax machine, which means that I'm spared - for the most part - from working with that. That leaves the almightly copier.
It's not only that I lack a talent for working with machines, because, in all honesty, how many of us do? Most librarians (and library assistants) do not enter the field dreaming about the number of photocopying jobs that they'll assist with. But for some reason I lack patience for this particular part of customer service. Yes, I smile, I grin, I grab the bypass key (just in case), I act as if I'm thrilled to assist my patrons, but the truth is - I can't stand this job! And this morning I had two patrons who needed assistance (because one person, catching me in the act of helping someone else, decided to take advantage of my proximity). Both of these people, I thought to myself, made absolutely ridiculous mistakes.
Oh, it feels good to vent! I wonder what parts of the job other librarians (secretly, of course), can't stand?
Ooooh. I cringe whenever I get asked to assist people with the copiers. I don't have a talent for fixing machines, regardless of whether that "thing" is a copier, a fax machine, or a computer. But at least the computer is essential to my favorite part of the job - helping people find information. And our Branch doesn't have a public fax machine, which means that I'm spared - for the most part - from working with that. That leaves the almightly copier.
It's not only that I lack a talent for working with machines, because, in all honesty, how many of us do? Most librarians (and library assistants) do not enter the field dreaming about the number of photocopying jobs that they'll assist with. But for some reason I lack patience for this particular part of customer service. Yes, I smile, I grin, I grab the bypass key (just in case), I act as if I'm thrilled to assist my patrons, but the truth is - I can't stand this job! And this morning I had two patrons who needed assistance (because one person, catching me in the act of helping someone else, decided to take advantage of my proximity). Both of these people, I thought to myself, made absolutely ridiculous mistakes.
Oh, it feels good to vent! I wonder what parts of the job other librarians (secretly, of course), can't stand?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Challenges
As a librarian, I love the idea of lifelong learning (doing it myself and encouraging it in others). Unfortunately, I do fall prey to excuses to avoid trying new things (too tired, too many routine tasks that have to be accomplished at work, too busy caring for a three-year-old when I'm not at work, etc.).
That's why I'm glad that my library system is encouraging its staff members to participate in the Web 2.0 Challenge! Learning the tools of Web 2.0 is so important for librarians because we need to be able to communicate with our patrons. It appears so unprofessional when we merely give our young students a blank look if they make a reference to a technological device that we have no experience with or use a term that we haven't heard before (i.e. - an MP3 player, a Facebook account, downloading music to an MP3 player, etc). It's also downright embarrassing.
So I'm going to throw myself into the Web 2.0 Challenge. The real challenge, for me, will be finding the time to complete each task. But I am motivated, and if I can maintain this level of motivation, then that will help me make the time.
That's why I'm glad that my library system is encouraging its staff members to participate in the Web 2.0 Challenge! Learning the tools of Web 2.0 is so important for librarians because we need to be able to communicate with our patrons. It appears so unprofessional when we merely give our young students a blank look if they make a reference to a technological device that we have no experience with or use a term that we haven't heard before (i.e. - an MP3 player, a Facebook account, downloading music to an MP3 player, etc). It's also downright embarrassing.
So I'm going to throw myself into the Web 2.0 Challenge. The real challenge, for me, will be finding the time to complete each task. But I am motivated, and if I can maintain this level of motivation, then that will help me make the time.
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