Do You Like People?

This is a topic I have been mulling over for a couple months now. We all know the stereotype that says people become librarians because they don't want to talk to anyone and want to hide out with their books. Having actually been in and used a library, I assumed that this was an old or mythical stereotype, since obviously this is a profession that requires constant interaction with actual people. People of all sorts. People with questions, requiring your skills in answering them.

I guess I was incredibly naive. My first day of LIS 7996 (Research), I was talking to a classmate whom I had never met before. One of the first things out of his mouth was, "I would never want to do reference. I hate talking to people and answering their stupid questions." My eyes bugged. When I told him I work at the UGL Info Desk he didn't even look abashed and said, "oh, I feel sorry for you!" He was a walking, talking stereotype. I told him that this is probably the most interesting job I have ever had and that I actually like the people I interact with for the most part (you will see from previous posts that there are, of course, times I want to strangle our beloved patrons!). But since I had that conversation with him, I notice other library employees (here and elsewhere) that don't like our patrons and don't want to interact with people.

There are two levels of patrons at ClubUGL-students and community members. Many library employees tolerate the students because they are our paying customers. We feel noble in our assisting them to find their books, format their papers, so they can graduate and become Productive Members of Society. (However, some of us can't even be bothered with this level of patron and hide behind our busy-ness and "loads of work".)

We feel differently about the community members. We wonder why they are allowed in. We hesitate to assist them and grumble when they ask. We refer to them in disparaging ways and make assumptions about who they are and what they are doing at the CATs. We restrict how they are allowed to use the resources that we provide for their use. It is true they are not our paying customers. Except they could be, someday, if they have some help setting up an email account. Or applying for a job. Or finding a loved one. All of which could inspire them to take a class, or would at least give us a reputation for being helpful. (Plus, many of them pay taxes, so they are paying customers, actually.)

Working in a service profession means that you don't get to pick and choose who you help. You don't get to think you know everything about a person based on which computer they are using. You are in the business of connecting people with information, which you cannot do if you won't try to provide customer service to actual patrons.

Didn't you know that working in a library means working with people?

On a side note, I miss Howard. There are certain people who I have gotten accustomed to being around and he was one of them. He worked here for 12 years, did you know that?