No, not the Hippy Librarian

I remember being at the special collections desk and being approached by a patron about a Rolling Stones song. This was during my time as an undergrad working my way through school, so I thought 'Stones, no prob I know this'. Yet I was left clueless. I had no idea what vinyl had the song Miss You on it. At this particular school there were hundreds of vinyl in the scary backroom. They had all been donated by various people. We had a printout of the collection as a guide, it by no means was accurate, only listing the album title. It was never a priority to catalog them. It was dreadful to search for anything specific in the collection. However I did enjoy the opportunity to browse on my breaks, it was like a private used music store.

I didn't know where to begin. I wanted to find the answer. The only thing I could think of was to ask the Hippy librarian, Rick. He had a bushy red beard and a fantastic way of knowing things, he had to know. This is the guy that had hundreds of wild stories about being at all sorts of rock concerts and doing all sorts of stuff. All of us thought he was the coolest librarian ever.

Except he didn't know. He couldn't remember.

The young, bookish librarian-guy did. He overheard the conversation and came to the rescue. He politely offered the answer "It's on the Some Girls album. I have it at home, my wife and I love it, I think it's their best work."

Imagine that.

This guy had every classic rock album known and was such a rebel despite his appearance. That was a turning point for me. To never presume anything about anyone, particularly librarians.

Refunds?!

Can I have a refund?

The most commonly asked question this week. You see somehow people feel that due to their obvious inability to properly use a copier or printer (and take initiative to seek assistance prior to making copies) that we can pull out the big refund cash box and hand them money. There is no such thing as a refund in this library.

I am particularly frustrated today because a man asked for a refund for the $9.00 he spent making print outs of some documents. There were numerous blank pages embedded within this document and he felt that he should not pay for blank pages.

One hint: if you choose to print a web page please do not assume that what you see is what will print out.

Hint two: if you need help ask for it, librarians are there for a reason, my friend.

Hint three: do not act like a jerk when you ask for help and I show you how to properly set up your print job. I do not like to waste my time any more than you do, so if you don't want to pay for blank pages pay attention.

Book of the Week: Don't Eat This Book: Fast Food and the Supersizing of America By:Morgan Spurlock

The producer, director and star of Supersize Me wrote this book.

Fast food is evil. This is something everyone should remember. If you haven't seen the movie read this book. He goes into detail about the awful side effects of fast food.

I particularly liked the part about the man who collects fast food burgers. This guy collects and mummifies, actually just allows the burgers to air dry, and keeps them in a display case. How odd is that?

I thought it was a funny book, informative and really makes me think about pulling up to the drive-thru.

It's Raining Inside

When it rains, it rains inside our lovely library. I dread the rainy season. We have to constatnly keep watch on the upper floor and hope that the materials are not getting destroyed. I can tolerate only so much of the cleaning up of soggy ceiling tiles. Ick.

Paper and water. A nasty combo.

Time is ticking away until the roof falls in....maybe then we'll be able to get the leaks repaired.

Book of the Week: Angels and Demons By:Dan Brown

The first book with the character Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon. I read the Da Vinci Code last year, so I guess I am doing this backwards. But really the two are not related or considered a series.

Truthfully I was not impressed with this book. I was interested yet found it slow in parts and a tad too descriptive. I wanted the action not so much for the build up to the action. It took very little time to read and was very fun to imagine the lovely places he described. However I was displeased, more let down. I suppose I expected a little more and was hoping to feel more embedded in the action than I did.

After reading this and the Da Vinci Code I can see why Dan Brown has been on the Vatican's list of people to watch, if they had such a list. The topics are controversial and almost offensive.

Nifty Book I'd like to read

Informal English by Jeffrey Kacirk

This book focuses on the many slang words and phrases that have been used and forgotten. Understanding slag has to be the most difficult part of learning a new language. I always find the way a culture's casual langauge develops to be the most profound indicator of the people within.

Exercise

"Last time I checked Exercise is good for you people."

Lovely quote from an irate patron this morning. Her badge wasn't working to allow access to the front door. I didn't realize that she was wanting to come in and return her book. You know, most people knock when they want to enter and the door is locked. And I am even more impressed with myself since I didn't say anything back in return. Like 'The bookdrop was one foot from where you were standing. Why did you feel you the need to insult me and return your book?'

With a smile I thanked her for returning the book. And under my breath uttered 'and your bitterness'. So I wasn't entirely behaving. Does it count if the patron can't hear your remark?

Days like this make me glad I chose to work in a service profession instead of being a field biologist.