I just have to tell you about my volunteer shift at the library on Saturday. It being a holiday weekend the place was rather quiet and a number of the librarians were chatty. They’d stop by the welcome desk to say hi and all but one–you know which one that is–thanked me profusely for being there on a holiday weekend.
Even though librarian Mike didn’t thank me for being there he still gave me a jolly hello when he came in to work. But then he had to go and ruin it by scurrying over to check on what I had been doing at the catalog computer with a patron. Our library card application is online and accessed via the catalog home page and I had gotten the patron started on the application. But Mike had to make sure I hadn’t helped them look something up and he raced over to stand directly behind the patron to see what he was doing.
We’ve begun a new thing at the library by having one of the reference librarians “rove.” The idea is that it makes them more visible and more accessible. I think it’s true and from what I have seen it is working really well. Saturday’s roving librarian was Lee. He came over to say hi and thank me for volunteering. He spent a good part of my shift working on shelving a big cart of audiobooks. The audiobook shelves are right by the catalog computers and he must have heard me as I walked patrons over and explained how to get a library card, because just before he went to lunch and just before I left, he came over and told me thanks again. And then he made my day because he said that I was very good with patrons and so very friendly and nice and he really appreciated having such a helpful volunteer. I’ve been volunteering there for well over a year now and Saturday was the first time I felt anyone besides the security guards and the patrons were glad I was there (security is glad because it means they don’t have to have someone standing at the entrance to keep an eye on things).
Now for a little library school update. I finished reading the 125 page Internet Public Library training manual over the weekend and took and passed the quiz. Yesterday I received my username and password so I can log in and complete my practice question. Once I complete my practice question and receive approval, I will then be able to answer real reference questions! I am excited about it but goodness, is it going to be a lot of work. I am to provide no less than three sources per reference request, I also have to explain where I found the sources, why I chose the ones I did, and then reconstruct my search for the patron. I also have to make sure my suggestions are age appropriate and make sure my response is age appropriate (no big sentences, suggesting that an adult help the child if necessary, that kind of thing). So much to remember!
This week’s reading is interesting too. It’s about how a library’s organization affects the way a person looks for and finds information. That’s a simplistic summary, and maybe you’ll just have to take my word for it that it’s a fascinating thing to ponder on.
Awww, it’s always nice to be appreciated.
Why are some people unable to trust? My goodness. But it’s so nice that you got some well-deserved pats on the back!
It takes so little to give some positive feedback and yet it means so much. Full marks to the sensitive Lee, and always full marks to you, Stefanie. I can just imagine how helpful and informative you are.
Sylvia, it sure does make a difference.
Daphne, I don’t think it is so much a matter of trust but one of territory and feeling threatened. But the pats on the back have gone a long way to make up for it
Litlove, you’re so kind! And you are right, it doesn’t take much effort to make a volunteer feel good. Being a volunteer reminds me to tell the people who volunteer where I work how much they are appreciated.
How nice to have some appreciation! And how amusing (as well as annoying) Mike is — he’s got some serious problems I’d say
Your school work sounds so interesting! Enjoy it …
This Mike guy totally needs to chill! Considering you are volunteering–you’re obviously interested enough to know how the library works to be there and the more time you spend the more things you learn and can pass on to patrons. Lee sounds much nicer, and it’s nice to know that someone is willing to say thanks since you’re giving up your free time to volunteer!
Good luck with those reference questions–you’ll have to let us know how it goes!
Appreciation is always nice! Library Mike sounds like a control freak of the most anoying order. You can’t help people look something up?
Looks for and finds information? I’m just happy that our libraries have started to display books a la Borders & the like.
You spooked me there for a minute. I thought that Librarian Mike was changing his ways and that the stories about him were a thing of the past (you know how I love those tales). Glad to see that skunks like him still can’t lose their stripes but that you are surrounded by folks who appreciate you even though they don’t often express it.
Dorothy, a little appreciation goes a long way, doesn’t it?
Danielle, at first I was scared by Mike. Now I am learning to find him amusing. Thanks for the good wishes!
Carrie, no, I’m not allowed to help people look something up. That is considered reference and volunteers at my library are not allowed to do reference.
Sam, sorry to scare you there! He scared me when he was so friendly walking into work. But the skunk, as you say, has not changed his stripes