Slow Friday:

The Friday after Christmas and before New Years is very slow. So here is my reference log for the day:

10-11am

1. I'd like to reserve a computer?
2. How can I reserve a computer?
3. Can I make a computer reservation?
4. The computer is frozen.
5. Can I get a computer reservation?
6. The computer doesn't want to work.
7. Can I get a study room?
8. Computer?
9. Can you help me find a book. It doesn't come up in your catalog?
10. I have a computer reservation at 11am. Where is it?
11. Can I get a computer reservation?

12-1pm

1. Can I have my library back?
2. Can you help me find this title in Spanish?
3. Can you help me find it?
4. Can you help me find a book on knitting in Spanish?
5. Can I have my pin number?
6. What happened to your foot?
7. Here is a gift for you for Christmas for being so nice. :)
8. I already used the computer on the express, so you can delete my reservation for 12:30 in case someone needs to use it. (how nice)
9. (Wow! Real ref question)I'm doing research on a couple and they listed their intention to marry back in 1934. Does that mean they got married within that year? If so, where can I find that record? I'm calling from Oregon.
10. Do you check out books here?
11. Can I reserve a computer here?
12. Where's the bathroom?
13. Me: Is this your child? Can you please stop him from running around the stacks and calling out for "mama"? Thank you.
14. They sent me from the front, I'm looking for computer programs for children. (me: to learn how to use the computer?) No, programs to help teach my child about letters and numbers. (me: sorry we don't have that here. We have books to teach you how to work the programs, to teach children to use them.) So you don't have program disks we can take home and practice letters and stuff? (No, we have Leap Frog (c) programs you can use here at the library).
15. Can I get a study room?
16. How can I use the Wi-Fi?
17. me:I'm sorry but you can't use your cell phone here.
18. me: Ma'am please stop your child from yelling and running through the stacks.
19. Can I make another computer reservation?

2-3pm

1. Can I check to see if I have anything late?
2. Do you have "Forrest Gump" on dvd?
3. Do you have "Harry Potter" books?
4. Do you have legal forms here?
5. How can I get a library card?
6. Is there somewhere I can enlarge a page?
7. Can I get a computer?
8. Can I have a computer?
9. Can I cancel my reservation?
10. I am looking for a "High Noon" on dvd.
11. Do you have "How to win friends and influence people'?
12. I'd like to cancel my reservation.
13. Can I make a reservation? I just got my number from the front. (me: no sorry. You need your card to make reservation.)
14. Do you have a book or anything on "Mario"? (me: like mario brothers? The video game?) Yes, anything like that.
15. Do you have "Goosebumps" videos?
16. Can I reserve a computer?
17. Do you have the movie "On Dangerous Ground"?
18. Can I make a reservation?
19. Can I make a reservation for a 15 min computer?
20. Can you tell me which computer I am on again?
    

Book Review:

Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi is another great collection of stories from Iran. In this book she recounts stories of women and their experiences. It is a graphic novel that allows you to connect with the characters of her life.

Library Stuff:

Now it seems our profession is attacking another website other than wikipedia. Read all about Yahoo answers here. I myself use it once in a while. Of course I follow up on the answer and don't take it as face value, but that's just me.

Patron Stories:

I approached two teens at the express computer when I noticed they have signed on for a second time, while there is another patron waiting.

Me: Would you please sign off? There is a person waiting for the computer and this is your second session.

Patron: I'm already signed off, I'm just sitting here (with a smirk while his friend snickers in the background.)

Me: If you get up from there so she can use it that would be great.

P: Yea that would be great. (As he is getting up.)

(I ignore his comment and go back to the desk. They stand/lean on the computer station next to the one he was on while he talks to his other buddy on the computer. Now I am getting upset. We don't allow people to loiter by the computers.)

I walk over to them very calmly. They don't notice I'm heading towards them and very loudly say:

Me: Excuse me, guys?! You cannot stand here and chat. If you would like to continue your conversation you need to go to another part of the library. You can go sit down on one of those desks.

Neither of them expected me to approach them again. They were in shock and just stared at each other. They quietly walked to the desk. LOL

Another story: Two girls come up to the desk for a computer reservation. Our policy is that you cannot make an appointment w/out your card. If you don't have it the circ desk gives it to you once, after that you must have you card. This young lady had her number on an old crumpled post it.

Patron: Can I get a computer? I just got my number up front.

Me: You just got this? (as I handle the post it.)

P: Yes.

M: Ok, the next computer is not available until 3pm is that ok? (As I look up her account to check for a note as to when she received this number.)

P: yea, that's ok.

M: I'm sorry. But it shows here that you received you number on the 21st. You need to go back up there and get a new library card if you have lost it. I can't make you a reservation.

P: Yea? Ok.

Ha! Try to pull a fast one on me will ya?! (I told you it was slow day. lol)

How Lame am I?

How pathetic is it that I RSS my own blog? LOL I have a Google reader account where I catch up on all my favorite blogs and I just added my own. Is that lame?

I don't want to come back!!

I just came back after a winter's break of 5 days. And the place is just as I had left it. Same old rude patrons that demand "the internet", cell phone shouting, computer hogging, smelly, rude people who don't know the meaning of good will towards men. ARGH! Doesn't anybody have anything better to do than to go to the library the day after Christmas? Go to the mall and torture those people with your returns and you fighting over the After-Christmas-Sales. Yes, I'm bitter.

Book Review:

Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi is the follow up to her first book that documented her childhood in Iran. This second book continues her story as she experiences life away from home in Austria. She encounters different cultures, people and ideas that shape her life.

I recommend her book for the sole experience of learning about a political refuge's ordeals in Europe. Living in Southern Cali I only have experience as a Mexican immigrant. So it was interesting to read about the refugees in Europe. Satrapi's tales are at times entertaining but you can't help but feel her loneliness and unhappiness because she is away from her family. Go out and pick up this book. You will learn a lot about Iran's culture and religious atmosphere.

Creepy customer

Patron Stories

I'm trying to sit perfectly still. Sssshhh. One of the new creepy guys (picture is not the actual image) has shown up. Last time he was here he was yelling obscenities in the Resource Center. The time after that he tried to join a private meeting we were having with our higher ups, to make sure he wasn't "missing anything". He is now using one of our Internet computers with his headphones on with the volume full blast. I would normally approach a patron that is doing that, where I can hear the sound, I ask them to turn it down. But not today. I'm hoping he doesn't see me and try to engage me into conversation/argument. I'm sitting here praying for the last 30 minutes to pass so that he leaves. Don't. Make. A. Move. Ssshhhh....please leave quietly.

Fun New Book

Sex, Murder and a Double Latte by Kyra Davis is a very fun book to read. The characters make you laugh out loud and allow to get lost in their plot.

Sophie Katz is a novelist who ends up being stalked by a murderer who is mimicking his victim's art. So she is trying to find out who is trying to kill her by reliving her own storyline. Sophie, Mary Ann and Dena are three of most oddest friends I have seen in a while, but they compliment each other. Sophie meets a mysterious Russian, Anatoly, who steals her heart. Their relationship is turbulent and fascinating.

I recommend this book based on the suspense and romance.

Persepolis

by Marjane Satrapi is a great graphic novel. I learned about this book in library school and never got around to read it. But I recently found out that the film based on this book will be released in the US this month. So I decided to read it before it came out.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!! It's an autobiographical graphic novel about a young girl living in Iran during the fall of the Shah and rise of the Islamic revolution. You get Marjane's 11 year old point of view and how world changing events affect her and her family. Along with her life story, you get a history lesson of Iran and what turmoils it has gone through. I feel that I have more understanding towards Iran and it's people just by reading this book. It's a great experience all around and you will be a better person for having read it.

Another book

Everything Changes by Jonathan Tropper is a book I finished reading a long time ago and just forgot to review. I picked up this book because I had enjoyed Tropper's other works of fiction filled with his humor. This one, not so much.

The story of Zack, as his life changes, is documented in this book. Its premise is that this book gives a guy's point of view of the complications of love. It's true. It does give you the guy's point of view of why he cheats and leads his fiance on. This aspect of the book was interesting. It wasn't just black and white where he was just a d*** who didn't care about the women around him. His cancer scare makes him human and easy to relate it.

This book was a little on the serious side. His "How to Talk to a Widower" which made me cry, ironically had more humor in it. I do recommend this author but not necessarily this book. So pick up his other works first and you'll enjoy his stance on life.

p.s. I didn't get the book cover. It makes it look like a menopausal book.

What exactly do you need?!

Patron Etiquette:
Be specific. When you come up to the desk don't ask broad questions that deal with a slew of material. Don't ask, "Where is your law area?" If you do be prepared to answer my questions to help me narrow it down for you. Or else I will just send you to the 340's and you'll have to sort it out.

Our library has the Chicano Resource Center. Please narrow your topic down! Asking for books on Chicanos will not give you a good source. You will be directed to all of the 10 bookcases. Good luck finding what you need! Do you want the history, culture, political activism, leaders and in what states? Don't continue answering with "Just anything on Chicanos" over and over again, when I am trying to decipher what you really need. Don't be surprised if you get a look of "Are you stupid?" from your librarian. You don't go to your nearest Pep Boys and ask, "Where are your things for cars?" and not specify. They would give you an even meaner look and gestures.

I have all the time in the world!

Patron Etiquette:
When coming up to the reference desk please have your library cards ready. If all you want is a computer reservation have it handy. Don't waste my time and those standing in line behind you while you rummage through your nap sack, backpack, baby bag, your cargo pant's pockets nor your little sister's wallet (who you have to hunt down on the other side of the library, because she has it) for your library card. You know you need it. Don't act surprise when we ask you for it. Thanks!


Christmas came early
My computer is finally fixed!!!! About a month ago I had a virus show up on my computer and it slowly died. Our IT department gave me the runaround for a month about getting it fixed. I finally contacted the IT manager and CC'd my boss. Sure enough I got a response the next day and is now fixed. I feel like a little girl with a new toy. But now I have to re-assign my book marks and RSS feeds. Oh well.

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.

Oh! What tangled webs we weave...

In "The Quickie" James Patterson (or should I say Michael Ledwidge) really tops himself. This is a great suspenseful drama that takes you on some twists and turns. Just when you thought you had it figured out, bam! It turns on you.

Lauren Stillwell is trapped in a marriage that is leading to nowhere. She accidentally finds her husband having an affair and reciprocates by having a "quickie" with a co-worker. Her life becomes very, very complicated after that event. Not just because of her marital repercussions of adultery but something more sinister. I really don't want to give away more of the story but it's totally worth picking up. Every chapter has new revelations and twists. You won't be able to put it down.

Research

Whatever happened to good ole fashion note taking? When I was in school (which wasn't that long ago) I did not want to lug around all my books I was using for research. So having to deal with a reference book was no big deal. Because I took notes. I deal with patrons everyday who think it's the end of the world if the book they need is reference. Mostly because we don't have copiers, our patrons freak out and give me an attitude. "What?! I can't check this out? But it's for my assignment!"

Well then sit down and start taking some notes!!

Here are some tips:

1. While doing research refer to the index and find the material you are looking for faster.
2. When writing down a relevant quote make sure and write down the bibliographic information prior to jotting down the note ( you don't want to lose a good source just because you forgot the name of the book. It gets confusing especially when you have five books on your desk):

Ricardo Flores Magon and the Liberal Party (1967). Ward, Albro. University of Michigan Publishing
"The liberal party was part of the revolution that took place in the 1960's in Mexico...."p. 67

3. After writing the note, make sure and jot down the page number.

See how easy that was?! The time it took you to argue with me about checking out the reference material you could have jotted down several pertinent quotes for your research.

MLIS

Some people still ask me, "Why do you need a Master's to be a librarian?" Other than the fact that you need to know your way around Dewey and the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, it also gives you a sense of professionalism when dealing with serious issues. Working as a librarian, I can easily see how someone who does not have the professionalism of a Master's degree totally screw with our profession. I mean, I have had the urge so many times just tell people "No." Just tell them "No" for no particular reason. Just so that they can go away. When they ask do you have a book on [fill in the blank], NO! Or make fun of them for mispronouncing a word like "Morse" and pronouncing it "Moresy", asking for the "Moresy code". Yea, I talk about it later, but not to their face. Because we are a profession we have a Code of Ethics we follow and the Library Bill of Rights we adhere to. I know I hold back from being rude because I am a professional and as such, not be rude nor deny information because of my own personal beliefs.

Pet Peeve # 5 - Don't conduct your own reference interview.

While waiting in line and the librarian is busy helping the people ahead of you, please fight the urge to intervene. We don't need your opinion of which topics I should be searching under and asking the patron what their paper is about. Please don't assume that the patron is waiting for your opinion on the subject and hoping that you think the book was great. WE don't care. We don't care that your dad had the same condition and that herbal teas is the best way to go. Stop it! Not everyone cares to hear your take on a topic. Keep it to yourself.

Midnight by Dean Koontz

Was a really great book. I listened to it on my way from work at night and it was "escury!" The book is about a megalomaniac who is trying to take over a small town. I don't really want to spoil the book, but you get a great feeling of urgency and the desperation of those who are not converted to follow.

I love the way Koontz write because all of his books I have read take place within a couple of days or a 24 hour period.

The book came first

The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper was briefly a TV show on NBC. I had no idea until I started reading it that this was the case. I saw the first episode of the show and didn't really like it. The book was somewhat entertaining and I mainly kept reading it because I wanted to see how it concluded, not so much that I was interested in the story.

Joe Goffman left his small town to become a writer. His book became a best seller and he was shunned by his hometown. The book was a work of fiction but is filled with descriptions of real people from his town in which he portrayed them in a very negative light. Due to his father having a heart attack he has to go back home and face the music.

My Evil co-workers

Yes. Evil. Why oh why are you weeding so much? There is no need for you to weed the 800's and gut it dry! Leave us please some poetry, some sonatas, some shakespeare! PLEASE! If you don't like books, don't be a librarian! Don't take it out on our small collection.

Are you looking for A Long Day's Journey Into Night? Sorry, it's gone! How about some classic Emerson? Nope try another library. OH! It hurts just thinking about it. (sigh) Stop the madness!



Patron Stories:

An aide tells me a patron is using his cell phone to listen to music in the computer room. He won't turn it off. I ask him to please turn it off. He says, "I have come before and if I can't afford to get earphones for the computer, someone else has told me it's ok to lower it so I can hear it softly. How is that different from using my cell phone softly?" Me: I'm not sure who you spoke to, but that is not our policy. If you don't have earphones you can't listen to the sounds from the computer you must turn it off. Patron: I see how it is. Fine.
(p.s. if you can afford a cell phone you can afford $5 earphones if you want to listen to music at the library so badly! )

Patron (thinking): hmm? The librarian just came up to me and asked me not to use the cell phone in here. Let me talk even louder and walk to the echoing hallway that resonates all over the building. That will be better right?
Me: Can you please get off the cell phone or go outside. (ARGH!! The hallway is not outside!!!!)

Intresting Ref Questions

Patron: You don't have banned books here right?
Me: Yes, we actually have a lot of them. Which one are you looking for?
Patron: Well it's a movie. About Christopher Columbus.
Me: So you want a movie about Christopher Columbus?
Patron: Yes, but I don't remember the name of it.
(WHA?! How? Huh? What does that have to do with banned books?)