Comments on: 5 Surprises from first year as an MLIS http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/ An ongoing conversation among librarians with differing perspectives (public, academic, school, consortial, youth) but one shared goal: ensuring the health and relevance of libraries. [insert your own gardening metaphor here] Fri, 17 May 2013 18:44:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: hermes bags http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-7226 Sat, 20 Apr 2013 06:15:46 +0000 http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-7226 authorities a good motorola milestone phone.

]]> By: Oleg K. http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4764 Sat, 23 May 2009 20:21:35 +0000 http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4764 Even though it seems obvious that customer service is the very backbone of being a public (and academic) librarian – public service positions, after all. It’s amazing how many times people have shared experiences of terrible interactions with impatient, condescending, and otherwise rude librarians with me. I think every library has one or two librarians and clerks who just don’t want to be there. Pretty awful, really.

I must say, I agree with the other items you’ve listed also. Many people’s experiences seem to coincide on this issue.

]]> By: Anonymous http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4763 Fri, 22 May 2009 21:21:39 +0000 http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4763 Great post! My favorite part is your comment about night and weekend hours. My library is packed on weekends, but we run with a skeleton crew. Patrons routinely ask why we’re only open 4 hours on Sunday. We are not fulfilling our customer’s expectations. I hope that everyone who reads your post will really consider how their library can better serve our customers.

]]> By: Rob Pollard http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4760 Thu, 21 May 2009 23:11:09 +0000 http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4760 I agree that earlier on Sunday doesn’t make sense. Later, I could see, as kids/adults get ready for the school/work week.

And as you make these suggestions, remember the old rule – if you want it done, do it yourself. E.g., Figure out what late-night/weekend hours you (and whatever librarians agree with you) are willing to work, and then present it to your director. It’s great to notice the problems, but give the people who can make changes ready solutions.

]]> By: Anonymous http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4759 Thu, 21 May 2009 22:51:36 +0000 http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4759 We have our share of drunks on a daily basis. Not so often, but not unheard of: sex (hetero and homo) in the restrooms, peeing on the floor or shelves, pooping on the floor (and, no, not in the children’s room), shooting up in the library (including a death last year), verbal (on a pretty much daily basis) and/or physical fights over the computers. On a daily basis, people who have no clue what they are doing: “I have a paper due tomorrow about Mill’s system.” “Do you know what Mill you are supposed to be writing about?” “No.” “I want to know about the history of house cabinets.” “Can you be more specific?” “Maybe you can look up presidents.” “Oh, do you mean you want information about the presidents’ cabinets?” “I guess.” “That would be on the 5th floor.” “I don’t want to go to the 5th floor. I want you to have the information.” — Just life in a public library.

]]> By: Anonymous http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4757 Thu, 21 May 2009 18:16:28 +0000 http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4757 Truly missing from my 1999 MLIS degree was dealing with mental health issues: among patrons AND staff. Professors out there: how about it? How much different our jobs will be when mental health issues are addressed using the same workplace “rules” as alcohol or drug abuse. The meetings will be shorter, and we’ll get to keep some of our best personnel…

]]> By: Jana http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4756 Thu, 21 May 2009 16:49:10 +0000 http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4756 Great post! Someone said about one of my mentors that we always had very purposeful, succinct meetings, and I aspire to one day get to that point of leadership! Good tips!

I’ve been a librarian for 15 years, and customer service is really the heart of the library’s success. Also, riding the wave of changes is important. I can’t tell you how aggrevating it is to me to hear colleagues moan about changes to PubMed and the preference for the old way. It’s time to move on!

]]> By: Anonymous http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4755 Thu, 21 May 2009 15:42:29 +0000 http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4755 About Sunday hours…where I work, there has been no hue and cry for opening earlier on Sunday, but rather later, which is something we are definitely contemplating.

Also, due to laws regarding religious freedom, unless you have a staff made up of atheists, good luck in getting adequate staffing for opening earlier on Sunday.

]]> By: cwood http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4754 Thu, 21 May 2009 15:12:03 +0000 http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4754 The NJLA PR Committee cancelled yesterday’s meeting and I confess I was relieved.

There is much to accomplish during these lean times in our home libraries.

Next year’s NJLA PR Committee is seeking input on shifting committee focus from in person meetings to online exchanges. NJLA has used IM and teleconferencing.

I’m thinking – WebEx – and the question here is – who will fund the service?

Suggestions welcome!

]]> By: Anonymous http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4752 Thu, 21 May 2009 14:33:15 +0000 http://librarygarden.net/2009/05/15/5-surprises-from-first-year-as-an-mlis-2/#comment-4752 Amusing rants from a neophyte. I’d be interested to here your thoughts after 30 years in the biz.

]]>