We read...

To know we are not alone. ~C.S. Lewis~

Monday, February 23, 2009

A pox on officious librarians

This week blissfully borrowing Becca asks: How often do you visit the library? Do you have a scheduled library day/time, or do you go whenever? Do you go alone, or take people with you?

When I'm working which, sadly I'm not at the moment, I 'visit' a library every day so I do my borrowing then. When I'm not working in a library I don't have a schedule to follow, just use the library when the need arises. I love to visit libraries when I'm on holidays but I have issues with my local library so I feel a bit hypocritical going in there. Rarely, however, does it fail to annoy me so I usually feel justified about my criticisms upon leaving.

I’ve worked in public libraries and this one just doesn’t stack up. I always seem to find the scary librarians, the officious ones, who condescend until I start library-speak where-upon they modify their approach. This annoys me even more because a librarian’s job is to facilitate not alienate. we shouldn't be part of an exclusive club but rather we should be full of the joy of reading and wanting to share. Can’t tell you the amount of people who’ve told me they’ll never go to a library again because the librarian made them feel stupid, it makes me so sad. Libraries should be a place of wonders not put downs.

7 comments:

Rebecca Johnson said...

I can certainly agree with you on the 'officiousness' of some of the local librarians, but I have to say that I'm prepared (no happily, mind you) to put up with that to get to all the pretty books :)

I rarely have to deal with the librarians there, but it makes me sad to think of new library users, especially children, being turned off because of this attitude.

- Blissfully Borrowing Becca

Anonymous said...

I agree and I can never understand the attitudes of some librarians, particularly at my old uni.

Jo said...

he Librarians in my library are brilliant. They always address my children by name which makes them feel so special. They are really helpful aswell. I think if they were stand-offish I would still go, but I think it might put my children off.

Yvonne said...

I haven't had any problems with the librarians. Actually the entire library staff is wonderful at my library.

Mary (Bookfan) said...

The librarians at my library are really nice. Guess I'm lucky.
I WILL say that I drive 10 miles out of my way to go to a wonderful Post Office instead of the one 5 minutes from my house where the snarkiest people in the world are employed.

The Social Frog said...

I often find librarians acting as if I am wasting time and it really annoys me. This happened more as a child than now.
www.thesocialfrog.com

caite said...

"this one just doesn't stack up" Is that a little pun there?
At my local branch, the librarians always seem too busy (talking to each other) to assist me, so I figure I am on my own and just strike out.