tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post5470042683467066859..comments2024-03-27T05:00:00.090-04:00Comments on Letters to a Young Librarian: It's Not About Seeing, It's About Being SeenJessica Olinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00282500023825318766noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-885403879861293952013-07-03T21:56:56.778-04:002013-07-03T21:56:56.778-04:00I agree with this post wholeheartedly.
I think it...I agree with this post wholeheartedly. <br />I think it is so important to have someone visible from the library entrance. In our library we have two people rostered on each desk shift ( 1 & 1/2 hours). The first person is 'first up' and they have to stay out the front even if it is super quiet. The other person is the 'backup' and they can go out the back and do other work but will come out and help if the bell is rung. This system works for us and ensures the desk is always manned (or womanned?)Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08699834198187979788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-75270961016706812302013-07-03T16:58:39.726-04:002013-07-03T16:58:39.726-04:00For a lot of my community, seeing somebody there t...For a lot of my community, seeing somebody there the moment they enter the building is a HUGE thing.Jessica Olinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00282500023825318766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-80678465983313664592013-07-03T16:47:21.926-04:002013-07-03T16:47:21.926-04:00Absolutely! The thing that bothers me most about t...Absolutely! The thing that bothers me most about the set up of our entry way is that there's a load bearing column between the circulation desk and the front door. Makes it awkward to smile at people as they walk in.Jessica Olinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00282500023825318766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-23070902253998652772013-07-03T16:45:57.952-04:002013-07-03T16:45:57.952-04:00Urgh.Urgh.Jessica Olinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00282500023825318766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-69722859856308682462013-07-03T16:41:02.865-04:002013-07-03T16:41:02.865-04:00That's great, so long as people know how to fi...That's great, so long as people know how to find you. If they can't find you, then...Jessica Olinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00282500023825318766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-58073939678311327212013-07-03T16:24:02.349-04:002013-07-03T16:24:02.349-04:00Totally agree!Totally agree!Karen du Toithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17962536496240863886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-47167979458606226742013-07-03T09:57:13.855-04:002013-07-03T09:57:13.855-04:00I so agree with you! I also agree that many librar...I so agree with you! I also agree that many librarians/library administrators are sending mixed messages with the multi-task/be out in the stacks/etc. movement these days. On one hand, down time at a public desk is a good chance to get some work done. On the other hand, does that present an inadvertent "don't bother me I"m working" message to patrons? On one hand, yes, get out from behind the desk -- be approachable! On the other hand, do patrons see someone who can help them? I think it's important to know your patrons and what they want, to have more than one person trying to do it all (when possible), and to make sure that staff understand what the priorties are.Amanda Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12900346984562574300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-40452746847474826822013-07-02T14:28:37.165-04:002013-07-02T14:28:37.165-04:00I agree, but I believe that it goes beyond just be...I agree, but I believe that it goes beyond just being seen. The person behind the desk needs to convey a sense of openness and approach-ability. There needs to be warmth there. A person with their head down and a frown on their face is just as bad as no person at all.librarianryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16631979251612545926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-56389031032108897482013-07-02T11:53:34.415-04:002013-07-02T11:53:34.415-04:00At our library, we're running into the "u...At our library, we're running into the "unified service", which, in theory, means that everyone should be able to do basic circ and reference tasks, and everyone is at one desk.<br /><br />The problem with this idea is that we've gone from 4 points of contact to 2 or even 1. Need to do an indepth reference help? Better get back to that line. Have a quick question? Wait in line behind the people with 50 books and a need for five new library cards. And this says nothing of the fact that some circ staff simply aren't qualified for reference.Library Ogrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06282162336240345836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-9312896845455255242013-07-02T11:25:55.720-04:002013-07-02T11:25:55.720-04:00Conversely at the library where I work we aren'...Conversely at the library where I work we aren't allowed to stand at the desk. So much so they reduced the desk size. No matter what staff or customers say we are meant to be out on the floor at all times Hell-on-wheelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09586875891370311618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-15636978415528439832013-07-02T10:51:54.715-04:002013-07-02T10:51:54.715-04:00I hadn't even thought of the funder angle. Goo...I hadn't even thought of the funder angle. Good point.Jessica Olinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00282500023825318766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-22027838063776660332013-07-02T10:51:37.761-04:002013-07-02T10:51:37.761-04:00Exactly!Exactly!Jessica Olinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00282500023825318766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-65000760468715629772013-07-02T10:32:59.096-04:002013-07-02T10:32:59.096-04:00One of my gripes and in direct conflict with the &...One of my gripes and in direct conflict with the "get out in the stacks" movement in library service. Patrons want human contact and are used to looking to a central point (read desk or counter) to get it. I'd much rather my staff be clearly available at a well marked and easy to get to circ or reference desk than have patrons wandering around wondering who was around. And let's not even get into what the ramifications could be if a funder walked in and saw no one around to help!Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03774059777119958167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061870849031468581.post-63230231448370068322013-07-02T08:35:28.825-04:002013-07-02T08:35:28.825-04:00My dad was a librarian. He pretty much rates libra...My dad was a librarian. He pretty much rates libraries on whether you can see a person to help you as soon as you enter. If you can't, he just assumes incompetence. The attitude kind of rubbed off on me, but seems legit based on about 6 years of retail sales work. Most of your patrons know the ropes, but you should prepare for people walking in with absolutely no knowledge about how things work.Ian McCulloughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18191819904410397492noreply@blogger.com