Why We're Professionals

A patron came to the desk looking for a number of articles out of a textbook. She explained that she had been looking for over three hours, yet had no returns. To her surprise, our staff located the correct articles within minutes and instructed her in finding more.

We as Reference librarians DO offer an AMAZING service. Many patrons think the D.I.Y. method is sufficient, but I could read a number of Pharmacy books, yet still not have the training to safely administer medicines to the public. My point is this: Library Science is indeed that, a Science. There are many sub-disciplines that contribute to our success and most (if not all) of us have received rigorous training by book and on-site experience.

By saying this, Reference librarians and other library workers deserve public support and gratitude, and more than anything the admission that we bring something unique to the table -- something not just anyone is qualified to do.

The Jackson 5 Have Nothing on Kamal Webster

For today's blog post, I want to discuss a great motivational speaker and fellow WSU Libraries' employee, Kamal Webster, who delivered, "The ABC's of Success," to our customer service seminar.

I will mention only a few, but I beseech you to book him for a presentation. Here's what hit me the most:

MNO - Make New Opportunities: In a nation where jobs are sparse, we need to use our creativity and resources as Librarians to create new services for patrons. By developing these programs, we will assure that there is a need for our contribution through community support. Also, as individuals, we must realize that the greatest accomplish "me" nts are taken and never given.

UVW - Unique Vision of Winning: In my Library Management and Administration course we learned that, first and foremost, one must know what they want and how they intend to get it.

ABC - Always Be Confident: Everyone has something to offer, so find out what it is that you bring to the table. We all have worth, we all can make the world a better place. There is no reason for you to be timid, or to act inferior to anyone else.

With Thanks to K. Webster (note: those were my thoughts following the acronyms).

Zombie Preparedness Plans and other Superb Contemplations

You ever wonder what future librarians discuss at the Reference desk when it is 10PM and nothing is stirring, not even a mouse? There are no banal discussions here...NO, because we have absorbed ridiculous amounts of information throughout our lives (and continue to) and now use it for our own entertainment and benevolent deeds.

We, as Reference librarians, will be the key to surviving Zombie dominance and/or hostile takeover by any gargantuan, genetically-altered reptiles...And, the consensus seems to be that we will be wearing the best shoes for the task. Can any tongue-thrashing, fire-breathing diabolical being survive rainbow Converse? I think not!

Zombies are on the right track though, because if they are looking for, "Braaaaaaains," we house the best collection. Ironically, we are too smart to become victims of their nefarious desires.

Soon to be earning our own "Lambda Lamba Lambda" house, we can also anticipate annual journeys to Renaissance Festivals with giant Turkey legs as sustenance, or the ever so giddy-making New Kids on the Block reunion shows.

Today's Vocabulary:

Zombie-played Clarinet = The Scare-inet

Lastly, credit goes to EH, for half of this Reference desk tomfoolery.

The Reference Blend

Today was my first day behind the Adamany Undergraduate Library's Information Desk, and to my chagrin, I was unable to dissolve a "God-shot" Reference question. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Barista slang, the "God-shot" refers to an Espresso-shot pulled to perfection with the right amount of Crema (the tan foam from coffee bean oils pulled through this brewing method) and a smooth palette-pleasing taste (not having been burnt during brewing).

With that said, many of us in the Library and Information Science field anticipate those impressively perplexing queries that allow us to prove ourselves as information gurus. They reveal themselves infrequently, but make it all worth wild when they do. They allow us to scan and dig databases, catalogs, and whatever else our clever minds can "bring up from storage."

This is not to say that we can't all enjoy the home-brewed, drip coffee questions, because they all have their place and importance. It's great to interact with students and point them in the right direction (quite literally) and no one appreciates you more than the person eagerly seeking a restroom.

So, that was my first day. Classes begin tomorrow, and as papers sprint toward their due date, I am hopeful that the Reference questions will start brewing.

P.S. there is a coffee company that offers a Librarian Blend, and can you believe it's Decaf? They are sadly misinformed. : -)