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One thing every Librarian and anyone else who deals with books knows is that when a Patron says,
"I just have one, quick question"
The Librarian's heart will sink and Dementors will be sensed in the vicinity. There will be many questions since the first question will not be easy to answer.
I haven't one of those in quite a while but I got one today.
It was a phone call and the guy had a vaguely superior air when he asked for a "Smart Librarian". (Cue Jaws music)
Back in 1965, our Museum had hosted a show of objects owned by a collector I'll call Joe Blow. Our caller wanted to learn all he could about Mr. Blow. What did he do for a living? What was his family like? Was he still alive?
I took a quick look at our exhibition index. All it told me was that this was a small show and no formal catalog was published. Any further research would have to be done through Archives.
What follows is a rough reconstruction of our phone conversation.
JBR: Joe Blow Researcher (Who doesn't want to exert any effort.)
ME: Hi, Guys! Get the cookies and the drinks ready! I'm bringing the hummus, taboulah and ice cream.
JBR: Fine. Transfer my call to Archives.
ME: No one is going to know about this show off the top of their heads there either, Sir. Your question may take some time to answer. The best way to do this is to send an Email to (gives address). You'll probably receive an answer on Monday or Tuesday.
JBR: (Verging into Suckiness) That's not good enough. No one ever responds to Emails and I need an answer now! I can't believe that there's nobody there who doesn't remember that show and can tell me about Joe Blow!
ME: I'm sorry, Sir but I sincerely doubt that anyone now working in the Museum was working here in 1965. Certainly, no one in Archives has. Email is the best way to go with a question like this. I assure you, you will be answered.
JBR: (very sulkily) Very well. What's that address again? (Long, heaving, resigned sigh)
He gets the address.
JBR: Thanks for nothin' I thought you guys would be better than this.
(Click)
PS: I received the phone call at about 11:30 AM. He didn't send a message before I left for the day at 4:30 PM.
"I just have one, quick question"
The Librarian's heart will sink and Dementors will be sensed in the vicinity. There will be many questions since the first question will not be easy to answer.
I haven't one of those in quite a while but I got one today.
It was a phone call and the guy had a vaguely superior air when he asked for a "Smart Librarian". (Cue Jaws music)
Back in 1965, our Museum had hosted a show of objects owned by a collector I'll call Joe Blow. Our caller wanted to learn all he could about Mr. Blow. What did he do for a living? What was his family like? Was he still alive?
I took a quick look at our exhibition index. All it told me was that this was a small show and no formal catalog was published. Any further research would have to be done through Archives.
What follows is a rough reconstruction of our phone conversation.
JBR: Joe Blow Researcher (Who doesn't want to exert any effort.)
ME: Hi, Guys! Get the cookies and the drinks ready! I'm bringing the hummus, taboulah and ice cream.
JBR: Fine. Transfer my call to Archives.
ME: No one is going to know about this show off the top of their heads there either, Sir. Your question may take some time to answer. The best way to do this is to send an Email to (gives address). You'll probably receive an answer on Monday or Tuesday.
JBR: (Verging into Suckiness) That's not good enough. No one ever responds to Emails and I need an answer now! I can't believe that there's nobody there who doesn't remember that show and can tell me about Joe Blow!
ME: I'm sorry, Sir but I sincerely doubt that anyone now working in the Museum was working here in 1965. Certainly, no one in Archives has. Email is the best way to go with a question like this. I assure you, you will be answered.
JBR: (very sulkily) Very well. What's that address again? (Long, heaving, resigned sigh)
He gets the address.
JBR: Thanks for nothin' I thought you guys would be better than this.
(Click)
PS: I received the phone call at about 11:30 AM. He didn't send a message before I left for the day at 4:30 PM.
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