The Reference Question of the Day

Sometimes reference questions make sense, and sometimes they just don't.

This morning, a woman called the library and asked for the home address of a man who is currently running for President of the United States. She gave me the city and the state in which she believes this man resides. When I replied that this might not be public information, she yelled "BUT I'M AN AMERICAN CITIZEN, MA'AM!" (as if her status in the country would guarantee her the right to access private information).

I quickly clarified my response by telling her that I was willing to conduct the search, but couldn't guarantee that I would be able to find it. This seemed to satisfy her, somewhat. But when I suggested that she attempt to contact the candidate at his campaign headquarters, she snapped "Oh, don't give me that!"

The first website that I searched demanded a $2.95 fee for an address that belonged to someone whose name matched that of the presidential candidate (needless to say, the $2.95 charge was mentioned only after I spent several seconds typing in my search). Another site yielded five names and cities that may have been possible matches. I searched the candidate's website for additional information, then provided my patron with what I believed was the correct address (and I stressed that I believed it was the right address). I then politely asked the patron if she needed additional assistance (to which - thankfully - she replied "no."). And the conversation ended. Privately, I wished her luck in receiving a personal message from the possible future president.

Needless to say, I was ready for a break.

Thing #23: The End of the Challenge (Not Really!)

I love to learn. In fact, my passion for learning is what led me to a career in librarianship. Whenever people ask me why I became a librarian, I reply "Because I have the chance to learn something new every day."

That's true if I receive a challenging reference question, if someone suggests a book that I just have to read, or if I attend a workshop. But often, in the midst of performing day-to-day tasks (i.e. - booking programs or creating bibliographies so that my patrons might learn something new), I miss the opportunity to learn myself.

And while I've been hard at work ensuring that the essential daily work gets accomplished, technology has changed (and will continue to do so). Patrons requested assistance to Web 2.0 programs that I'd never heard of, making me feel lost and - quite frankly - embarrassed. Of all the things that I could learn on the job, in an environment in which I have access to resources on every conceivable subject, the most important thing is learning how to keep up with my patrons - making sure that their informational and recreational needs are met by providing resources in every conceivable format.

That is why I'm grateful for this Challenge. I have truly learned a great deal. Working at my own pace, experimenting with something and then blogging about it, was at least three times more informational than a seminar. Now, I'll not only know the tools to which my patrons are referring, I may even be able to assist them in their use! I'll feel empowered, rather than embarrassed.

Of course, the use of the Web is going to continue to grow and change while I'm busy performing those everyday tasks. And when there is a Web 3.0, I hope that my library will provide me with another Challenge. In the meantime, I'll have to continue to learn on my own, taking responsibility for my own professional development, recognizing that doing so is the entire reason that I became a librarian in the first place. So the Challenge will - thankfully - never end. I'll continue to blog about my learning experiences.

As for these particular 23 "Things," there were many that I like, some that I will continue to use in my daily life, others whose purpose I understand and appreciate but will never use myself, still others that I was just frustrated with (i.e. - ListenNJ!). Del.icio.us, which provides the ability to carry one's favorite websites from computer to computer, is certainly a wonderful tool; I just don't use enough sites regularly to justify its use (I also need to learn where those periods go in that word; I can never remember).

As a parent, I definitely want to spend more time with flickr and the site minti, which won a Web 2.0 award. Peertrainer, another award recipient, will also be useful in my personal life. Bloglines and LibraryThing, which I've already used several times, are great methods of keeping track of my personal reading. Wikis, which I've become familiar with through my participation on a library committee, are terrific ways to communicate with other staff members - and should be utilized regularly (as should WorldCat).

So....I feel that I've come a long way, despite the fact that there were tools that I found less than useful (i.e. - Technorati). Some sites, such as NetLibrary and ListenNJ, I'll use only when it is necessary to assist a patron. But regardless of my own opinion of particular tools, it is essential that I, like all librarians, know about them; they are all
part of Library Life.

Thing #22: ListenNJ

I have to confess that I like simplicity, particularly when it comes to technology. Give me easy-to-follow instructions and I will follow them and, most times, will complete them accurately. In the end, I'll even enjoy many of those tasks - as my blog posts about this Challenge have revealed.

But downloading the software in order to check a book out electronically via ListenNJ was not one of those simple tasks. In fact, attempting to download Overdrive Media Console - and then figuring out that I had to upgrade my Windows Media Player in order to accommodate this software - was so cumbersome that I wonder exactly how many patrons, in order to perform the same task, become frustrated and just give up. Surely it is much easier to just borrow an "old-fashioned" audiobook from the library.

I began to listen to Calvin Trillon's memoir About Alice, and I suppose that someone might have a desire to listen to a book via computer (or, more likely, an MP3 player) while performing other tasks. But, personally, I would still rather listen to a disc that one simply pops into a CD player. And I have to be honest: I'm surprised that the producers of ListenNJ have apparently ignored the constantly increasing demand for simplicity in technology.

Memorial Day Saturday

It's the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, and our library is open.

I have to admit that I have conflicting feelings about this. Of course, as someone who is eager to serve the public, who wants to promote the library as a source of recreation (especially considering the astronomical price of gas), I believe that the library should be open today.

That's the professional librarian in me. But there is another part of me, the wife and mother part, that yearns to be home with my family. Playing ball with my son and my husband. Pushing my boy on a swing. Taking a short drive somewhere. Chatting with my neighbors. Resting.

I can't feel overwhelmed with self-pity, though, because, after all, the workday ends at 5:00. The library is closed tomorrow and Monday. So, unlike the many unfortunate people working in retail, I will get a respite.

The librarian wins.

Yet I look around the building and notice how few people are taking advantage of our availability. I answered one reference question today. There have been few check-outs. Even computer usage has been slow, enabling me to permit those who are here to use the Internet for much longer time periods than they would ordinarily be allowed.

Is it worth being open?

Thing #21: Podcasts

Podcasting, yet another Web 2.0 concept, seems as if it is a great way to receive information. In fact, if I'm fortunate enough to receive the MP3 player, I'll use it primarily to listen to podcasts.

I have to admit, though, that I'm beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed. As much as I've enjoyed this Challenge, I'm ready to stop - for awhile, anyway. I told a colleague that technology is changing so quickly that we can't possibly keep up with all of it and perform our daily tasks. Nevertheless, I feel as if I've learned so much, and I'm grateful for that. I'll be a more knowledgeable librarian because of it!

Here is the link to a podcast that I may eventually subscribe to. Like the Web 2.0 Award-winning websites that I found, this podcast doesn't pertain to librarianship, except that it is a source of information.

Inside Out Weight Loss

Thing #20: YouTube

A simple one!

Here is a link to a video that describes one of the many exciting events that take place in a public library! This is further proof that the library has become a true community center.

(Welcome, Spring!)

Thing #19: Web 2.0 Awards

I never thought that I would become personally involved with Web 2.0 concepts. But, after exploring several of the sites that won Web 2.0 awards, I found myself eagerly registering for them! Aside from the fact that I'll be able to suggest them as resources to patrons, they have nothing to do with librarianship. Their subjects, however, have a huge impact on my private life.

The first site is peertrainer.com. For some time, I've been trying - and failing - to lose weight. Since I'm balancing a full-time job with raising a young child, I simply don't have the time to attend Weight Watchers meetings (something that worked well for me in the past!). What I need is support from other people, and peertrainer will definitely provide me with that (with the added benefits of anonymity and not needing to use valuable gas in order to drive to a meeting!).

Minti.com is the second site that I'll use regularly. What parent doesn't need the support and understanding of other parents?!

Finally, as I've mentioned in previous posts, I'll continue to use LibraryThing to track my reading and listening materials.

I'm so glad that I've discovered these resources! Thank you, Web 2.0 Challenge Committee!