Monday, August 23, 2010

Summer Moments

The summer is quickly coming to an end! Next week marks the beginning of fall semester and I am patiently awaiting its arrival. My schedule for the fall will be pretty intense as I will now be expected to work four days out of the week while taking three courses. Enough about fall for now, I’m sure I’ll be able to dedicate many blog topics to that term once it officially kicks off. Since summer semester is practically over, I’d like to spend some time discussing its most memorable moments.

Memorable Moment #1:
For months when asked about a Graduate Library, I would inform patrons that there was no such library. Shockingly, a couple of months ago, I learned that Purdy-Kresge is indeed considered to be Wayne State University’s Graduate Library. I let out a few giggles after learning the truth to mask my overall embarrassment.

Memorable Moment #2:
I took a Children’s Literature course in the spring semester of this year, which went from May 10 until June 19. I didn’t receive my grade for this course until a few days ago. Basically, I received a letter grade from the course a full two months after the class had ended. To say that I was bothered and/or pissed off about the entire ordeal would be an understatement…

Memorable Moment #3:
News of the Undergraduate’s Library implementation of a combined service desk freaked me out! The announcement was made to the GSA’s a few weeks before the fall semester is to begin. When my co-worker made me aware of the changes, I sat baffled at the reference desk and was unable to shut my mouth for the remainder of that shift.

Memorable Moment #4:
One afternoon, working the reference desk was a lot more brutal than usual. I encountered a patron, who I felt had prejudice issues. I ended up referring him to one of the Librarians, but was still subjected to the patron’s insensitive probing about GSA hiring and etc., all which appeared to be racially motivated. By the time he walked away from the desk, I was relieved and also offended and hurt. Another patron approached the desk and I was able to assist him with his research assignment. He was so appreciative of the help I was able to offer him that he went and purchased me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Shortly thereafter, I cried at the patron’s kind gesture and I appreciated his thoughtfulness.

Memorable Moment #5:
Earlier this month, I was selected to be featured in the School of Library & Information Science’s Spring/Summer Newsletter. In the newsletter, I received the Student Spotlight which allowed me to answer a series of ten questions accompanied by my photograph. I was extremely honored and humbled to have been afforded that opportunity!! Although I imagine that the full responses to my answers won’t make the cut, I did give a shot out to my blog! Hey, folks just might be a little more interested to read it now! Whatever the case, being the student selected for the Student Spotlight was definitely a major highlight of my summer!!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Combined Service Desk

Apparently, there are going to be some big changes at the Undergraduate Library. The changes are effective September 1st, 2010 which also marks the beginning of fall semester at WSU. To say that I am thrilled about the changes would be a lie, but change is a part of life. It’s funny because almost two weeks ago Mike Hawthorne, the Manager of Access Services, approached me about the Info Fair. He asked me to help work the Info Fair and I eagerly accepted, without fully understanding what I would be discussing and/or doing.


I didn’t learn until the week of the Info Fair what I would be discussing. After I arrived to work last Monday, a co-worker made me aware of the changes taking place at the UGL. The information and the circulation desks will be combined into a one-stop service desk. Meaning, Graduate Student Assistants and/or Librarians will soon be fulfilling their reference duties at the circ desk. In the fall, the library will also setup self-look up systems at the old information desk. These look up systems will serve as options for viewing the University Libraries catalog.


Hence, the topic I was assigned at the Fair centered on the combined service desk at the UGL. I was partnered with Lori Lemanski from the circulation department and together we braved this presentation. The word “braved” was used because when some Wayne State employees learned of the combined service desk, they didn’t hesitate to voice their dismay. Personally, it got to a point where I could do nothing but chuckle at some of the attitudes/comments expressed. Towards the middle/end of our presentation the overall announcement of the UGL's combined service desk seemed to be better received.


My Thoughts:
Again, I am not completely sold on the one-stop service desk. A change of this nature will require some adjustments for not just the circ staff but also the GSA’s. A big concern for me lies in the preparation of this change, or the lack of time to prepare. The combined desk goes into affect September 1st and that date is just a couple of weeks away. While I’ve had some circulation experience from my old job, a refresher on checking in/out books wouldn’t hurt. My fear is that a lot of things will be learned not from a training session, but once fall semester kicks off into full gear! Someone today said it best; we’re going to be the guinea pigs used for the implementation of this combined service desk. Knowing that I’m going to be a “guinea pig” doesn’t excite me, but without change how can there be progress?

Monday, August 09, 2010

Awkward Situations

Situation One: Monday of last week proved to be very challenging. A patron who has been creeping me out lately, decided to call the desk and ask me how I was doing. As if that wasn’t bizarre enough, he proceeded to tell me that he was my secret admirer and how he loved me. Not to mention that a few weeks ago this same patron “playfully,” and with some force grabbed my arm to tell me that my speaking to other male patrons would only make him jealous. Needless to say, I took the advice of one of the monitors at the Undergraduate Library and made a report with a public safety officer.

It saddens me that a smile coupled with a hello can be taken out of context, but it’s true. This isn’t the first encounter I’ve had with someone taking my kindness or professionalism to mean something completely different. While I do not encourage the patron’s behavior, I will admit that I could have been more direct in handling the situation. Honestly, when the patron put his hands on me that should have been reported and not just overlooked or blown off. What I will say is that there should be a fine line for being professional and cordial to patrons vs. insinuating ANY possible romantic interest. In the future, I intend to make sure my communicative approach remains respectful and professional without straying off into a non-professional discussion.

The Outcome: A public safety officer came over to the UGL to file my report about the patron. She asked me a series of questions including, when had the events taken place. She also asked me why I decided to make a report at this time, considering I failed to report the patron grabbing my arm. After arriving back to the station, the officer’s Sergeant confirmed the decision to make an official report. Under the suggestion of the Sergeant, I alerted my supervisor of the situation. I provided her with a detailed description of what had been occurring with the patron along with my decision to make a police report.

Situation Two: Friday of last week, a patron felt the need to question me about my religious beliefs. He approaches the desk with the question, “could you do me a favor?” I will admit some hesitation and annoyance to his question because of the wide spectrum of inappropriate questions I receive at the reference desk. I tried really hard to avoid directly asking the patron what he wanted because that didn’t strike me as appropriate reference etiquette/behavior. Unfortunately, I failed because he kept beating around the bush which drove me to ask, with a smile of course, what do you want? His million dollar response: “I just wanted to see you smile.” As his Bible sits on top of the desk, he then asks me if I had a relationship with God. The patron followed that by asking, if the cross I happened to be wearing was just for show.

The Outcome: My overall annoyance with this particular patron came rather quickly. The fact that he felt it was okay to approach the desk to inquire about my religious beliefs was ridiculous in itself. Vocalizing my offense to his question about my necklace, only seemed to help him offer poor excuses for his actions. Patrons in the past have made it their business to take interest in my religious beliefs. However, the only difference between those patrons and this patron is their initial reasoning for approaching the desk dealt with reference and not my personal life.

In the end, the patron did end up apologizing, after he made me aware that he was testing me and not before he raddled off some scripture. Yes! Because after all boys and girls, the reference desk is one big test to see how well you can handle some of the most eccentric patrons! So for that valuable lesson, I guess I owe him a thank you! There’s just one thing, I keep thinking how I would have loved to finish our "non-reference interview" off the clock.