Always save your work!!

It always amazes me how people are surprised when the computer knocks them out once their session is over. They are angry that the computer didn't realize they hadn't printed their work yet. That they forgot to save it before their time was up. Yes, Once the computer kicks you off your session you loose your work. We don't save all of your work in some magical drive. If only the computers warned you of how much time you had left so that you had time to save or print it. Oh wait! It DOES!!! It warns you at 15 min. 10 min. 5 min. BEFORE it kicks you off. So don't come crying to me when you loose your work. You're the dumb ass that didn't pay attention.

I WORK FOR PEANUTS
On a lighter note. I have this patron that comes in almost every other day. He requests movies, books and has general questions. He's a very nice man. He always gratefully acknowledges my work. I recently helped him with some articles and he was very gratefully that he gave me a hug. So every time he comes in whether he needs my help or not, he says hello. It's nice to get a happy greeting from someone once in a while. Today he brought me a snack of peanuts for my break. :) What a clean ole man.

Reference Rant

Ms. Volunteer called again today. She calls every week to keep us on the phone for 10 minutes asking for volunteer opportunities in the City area. She goes on and on, describing her lonely life and how she plans on moving to the country until we cut her off.

Today she called to have me look up the reason for which Hulk Hulgan and his wife Linda are getting a divorce. After reading TMZ.com I describe to her that they just decided to quit and their kids are grown. She said, "Just because their kids are grown?" "
"Yes. That is all it states", I answer.
"But that makes any sense. Why would they just give up if their kids are grown? Why do you suppose that is?"
I said, "I have no idea that is all it says."
"Ok, thank you." click!

LOL, I got off easy today.

Gift ideas

In case you are wondering what to get me for my birthday or Christmas here are some helpful websites:

The Unshelved Store. A comic strip that takes place in a library and is mainly funny for librarians. Check it out.
http://www.unshelved.com/store.aspx

Turner Classic Movies Channel website as some awesome collections of films. I am a movie buff, so you can never go wrong here.
http://www.tcm.com/2007/giftguide/index.jsp

This one needs no introduction or explanation:
http://www.beatles.com/

HAPPY SHOPPING!! (for me. hehehe)

Hey Baby What's your sign?

I found a very cute article on LISNews on pick up lines that work on librarians. Here are my favorite:

• So is it true public librarians let anyone in?



• Didn't I see you on the cover of American Libraries?



• So when's the last time you were "on the desk"?



• Want to come back to my room and play cataloger? I brought my own Dewey.



• I'll make you scream LC subject headings.



• Damn... you're stacked better than the LOC!!

BOOK REVIEWS

Guide to Elegance by Geneviaeve Antoine-Dariaux is a very cute book that dictates how one can become an elegant lady. Ms. Antoine-Dariaux was a fashion consultant for one of the great fashion houses of Paris. The original release of this book was in 1964, so a lot of the material is a bit outdated and no longer used. I for one, am going to try and bring elegance back. :) Some handy tips that I found interesting were:

• Girls of 14 years or younger should not carry umbrellas.
• The only jewelry to be worn during the day are wrist watches, studded earrings (not dangly) and at the most two rings on your hands. Preferably on your ring finger and your wedding ring counts as one.
• Wrist watches should only be worn before 5pm. Your evening attire should not include one.
• Your wardrobe does not have to be plentiful nor expensive to be elegant. It must contain the basic items of a wool skirt, nicely fitted suit, little black dress, nice coat, sturdy black purse and shoes.
• Elegant ladies are not seen in public doing the following things: picking their teeth, scratching their heads, nor grooming at the table after a meal.
• Pearls go with everything, anything and anytime.
• Alligator shoes and handbags are more of a daytime attire.
• When posing for photographs make sure and smile. Don't place hands on hips. When posing at the beach lying down pose on your side, not flat like a pancake.
• And a cool historic fact: Wedges were invented in Paris during WWII due to the lack of leather for shoes.

Hope you can use this! :)

Rushed patron

Patron Stories

Setting: Me at the ref. desk 10am, right when the library opened.

Patron: EXCUSE ME!! (rushing towards me) This computer says it's reserved for 11am and i tried signing in but it won't let me because it's reserved for this hour (10am)! But it's a lie because it says it is reserved for 11am and I....

Me: Which computer is it and I'll check the reservation?

P: Comp 15

Me: Yes, in fact it is reserved for 10am. But there are several computers (like 10 of them!!) available you could go on which are not reserved at this time.

P: Ok, but my complaint is that the screen was misleading saying it was available for until 11am. I wouldn't have wasted my time on it I am in a hurry!!!

Me: I'm sorry about that. I will email our IT dept.

(If she was in such a hurry she could have just jumped on another computer w/out wasting her time talking to me and complaining about it! She wasted more time with me than just signing onto another computer. What a yutz!)

Don't bring your baggage to the library

Things I am not!

As a librarian I have to fulfill a lot of roles. I am an information professional, computer expert, researcher extraordinaire and confidant of information. But people confuse me with other types of people that I am not and are not included in my job description. Which are the following:
1. A babysitter: Don't leave your children at the library unattended. I am not here to keep track if your child was here and if in fact they came here right after school. I don't keep track if they have completed their homework and I will not give you information on whether they used the computer or not. So stop asking.
2. A receptionist: Because I work in a large library, private tutors like to use our facilities and study rooms. We are not associated with the tutors. So if you show up and ask us where Mr. So and So is, we don't know. We will not page someone over the intercom to see if he is here. If you use one of our study rooms, I will not "watch out" for your student/tutee and let them know you are in "your office". I am not your receptionist.
4. A mind-reader: Ask me what you want. Don't just hand me your library card or homework assignment for me to decipher your request. ASK ME!!! I cannot read your mind.


Patron Etiquette:

Just because you are a "pet-parent" and you treat your pet like a child does not mean you can bring them into the library. Unless it is helping you move around your pet is not welcomed in the library. If your dog is in a sweater and in a stroller does not make it OK for you to bring him in. I don't care if he wants to go on the Internet!!

BOOK REVIEWS

Across A Hundred Mountains by Reyna Grande



This book deals with the problems a family has to go through when the father leaves for the United States and leaves the rest in Mexico. It is a very sad story that brings the reality of immigration to life.







The book talks about the life experiences of Juana Garcia and Adelina Vazquez, who have to battle to survive life along the border. I recommend this book.



Becoming Americana by Lara Rios
I had picked up this book because I went to see the author speak. I was hoping it was going to be a light and fun chicalit book, but it was a very serious. It wasn't funny where you laugh at the protagonist's screwy adventures but more of a social critique of losing one's identity.

Lupe is trying to fit in at UCLA by not standing out as a Latina. While trying to fend for herself in the slums of East LA, she encounters friends that are willing to help her and family that is holding her back. I recommend this book even though it's a bit melodramatic when it comes to its description of barrio life.