livlife
Welcome to Livlife. Where I am living my life out loud, for all to read.
Library Game
libraryLet's play a game:
You pretend that you're a librarian (if you think you're pretty fabulous then pretend you're me, otherwise, any old librarian will do).
Now, I will be Joe Customer.
Here's the scenario: you are sitting at your information desk, happily waiting for a customer to approach you. Because it is over the lunch hour, your coworker is away from the desk and you are working alone. The laws of inevitability show that this is when you are going to be busy. Naturally, the phone begins ringing off the hook and the people are standing 4 deep (so far) at your desk, waiting for assistance. Lucky for me, I am first in line!
You: How can I help you?
JoeCustomer: Um, yeah, can I reserve a book?
You: Of course, what's the title of the book?
JC: Um, it's by Vince Flynn
You: And what's the title?
JC: Um, The Third Option?
You: Is that a question? (Okay, I want to point out that you probably shouldn't SAY that, even if you think it....)
You: *typing frantically* I'm sorry, all of our copies are currently checked out, would you like me to request it from another library?
JC: Um, sure I guess.
You: Great! (for some reason you seem to think being cheerful makes others sound less idiotic--hate to break it to you, that's not true--and you seem to be going for broke on this one) May I see your library card?
JC: Yeah, um, okay.
{You are now staring at JC as she digs through her purse. And staring. And waiting. And feeling the line behind her growing restless as she sorts through the most HUMONGOUS pile of papers and cards you've ever seen; finally in desperation you say}
You: Can I look you up by your name?
JC: Just hang on, I know it's in here somewhere.
You: It isn't a problem, if you'll just give me your name I can go ahead and look you up that way.
JC: *muttering* Damn. Where did I put that stupid card?
You: It sure is unbelievable how many cards you get these days, hmm? (trying your damndest to make conversation and hopefully stop a riot).
JC: Well, I pulled it out because I knew I would need it.
You: (somewhat shocked because people NEVER seem to realize they will need a library card at the library) Did you check your pockets?
JC: Just hang on
You: Maybe I could help the next person in line while you look?
JC: Hold on a sec
You: You know, .....
JC: (interrupting) I found it!
You: (quickly finishing the transaction) okay, thanks so much, is there anything else I can do? (fingers crossed, praying JC says no)
JC: No (walks away without so much as a thank you)
You: Thanks for waiting, how can I help you? (to the next customer, let's call him BillCustomer)
BC: Yeah, that was annoying, huh?
You: (smiling) I do appreciate your patience. {by the way nice work dodging that question} What can I do for you?
BC: Any idea how long the wait is for Dan Brown's new one?
You: I get asked that a lot. It is over 2,300 people.
BC: (sighing) Ah, well, go ahead and add me I suppose.
You: Sure thing, can I just see your library card?
BC: (pulls out a bulging wallet) Yep (starts flipping through) How many copies does the library own?
You: About 350 but I think they're ordering more.
BC: Crazy how many people want that book, isn't it?
---by now you are ready to bang your head against the wall--
Why can't people just be prepared?
Is it that hard to have your library card ready to use when you are approaching a live person? There is very little I help people with that I don't, at some point, end up asking for their library card. And they are ALWAYS surprised by it. I just don't get it.....
Do these people also stand in the checkout lane at a store and wonder why they can't find their check card?
What is amazing to me is that if you're standing in a line and you are watching someone dig for their library card and it is annoying to you that they weren't prepared, wouldn't you make absolutely certain that you are all set when it is your turn?????
People, I tell ya. Their idiosynchrasies are a constant source of amusement to me.
How did you like being a librarian? If you managed to suppress the urge to rip your hair out of your scalp, then you win. If you didn't, then, in addition to being bald, you have lost my little game. Better luck next time!
You pretend that you're a librarian (if you think you're pretty fabulous then pretend you're me, otherwise, any old librarian will do).
Now, I will be Joe Customer.
Here's the scenario: you are sitting at your information desk, happily waiting for a customer to approach you. Because it is over the lunch hour, your coworker is away from the desk and you are working alone. The laws of inevitability show that this is when you are going to be busy. Naturally, the phone begins ringing off the hook and the people are standing 4 deep (so far) at your desk, waiting for assistance. Lucky for me, I am first in line!
You: How can I help you?
JoeCustomer: Um, yeah, can I reserve a book?
You: Of course, what's the title of the book?
JC: Um, it's by Vince Flynn
You: And what's the title?
JC: Um, The Third Option?
You: Is that a question? (Okay, I want to point out that you probably shouldn't SAY that, even if you think it....)
You: *typing frantically* I'm sorry, all of our copies are currently checked out, would you like me to request it from another library?
JC: Um, sure I guess.
You: Great! (for some reason you seem to think being cheerful makes others sound less idiotic--hate to break it to you, that's not true--and you seem to be going for broke on this one) May I see your library card?
JC: Yeah, um, okay.
{You are now staring at JC as she digs through her purse. And staring. And waiting. And feeling the line behind her growing restless as she sorts through the most HUMONGOUS pile of papers and cards you've ever seen; finally in desperation you say}
You: Can I look you up by your name?
JC: Just hang on, I know it's in here somewhere.
You: It isn't a problem, if you'll just give me your name I can go ahead and look you up that way.
JC: *muttering* Damn. Where did I put that stupid card?
You: It sure is unbelievable how many cards you get these days, hmm? (trying your damndest to make conversation and hopefully stop a riot).
JC: Well, I pulled it out because I knew I would need it.
You: (somewhat shocked because people NEVER seem to realize they will need a library card at the library) Did you check your pockets?
JC: Just hang on
You: Maybe I could help the next person in line while you look?
JC: Hold on a sec
You: You know, .....
JC: (interrupting) I found it!
You: (quickly finishing the transaction) okay, thanks so much, is there anything else I can do? (fingers crossed, praying JC says no)
JC: No (walks away without so much as a thank you)
You: Thanks for waiting, how can I help you? (to the next customer, let's call him BillCustomer)
BC: Yeah, that was annoying, huh?
You: (smiling) I do appreciate your patience. {by the way nice work dodging that question} What can I do for you?
BC: Any idea how long the wait is for Dan Brown's new one?
You: I get asked that a lot. It is over 2,300 people.
BC: (sighing) Ah, well, go ahead and add me I suppose.
You: Sure thing, can I just see your library card?
BC: (pulls out a bulging wallet) Yep (starts flipping through) How many copies does the library own?
You: About 350 but I think they're ordering more.
BC: Crazy how many people want that book, isn't it?
---by now you are ready to bang your head against the wall--
Why can't people just be prepared?
Is it that hard to have your library card ready to use when you are approaching a live person? There is very little I help people with that I don't, at some point, end up asking for their library card. And they are ALWAYS surprised by it. I just don't get it.....
Do these people also stand in the checkout lane at a store and wonder why they can't find their check card?
What is amazing to me is that if you're standing in a line and you are watching someone dig for their library card and it is annoying to you that they weren't prepared, wouldn't you make absolutely certain that you are all set when it is your turn?????
People, I tell ya. Their idiosynchrasies are a constant source of amusement to me.
How did you like being a librarian? If you managed to suppress the urge to rip your hair out of your scalp, then you win. If you didn't, then, in addition to being bald, you have lost my little game. Better luck next time!
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