disorganization: Libraries are apparently going to be a big pop…

disorganization:

Libraries are apparently going to be a big pop culture trend, you guys !

Tell me, is anyone else sick of this shit? I spent a lot of time and money on getting an MSLS and I didn’t do that to get reduced to a trend in line with cupcakes. I also didn’t do it so I could be taken less seriously because some fuckin’ nerds with nothing better to do during work hours could make a foolish Gaga video. Listen, dorks: if you wanna make a stupid video, do it on your own time — not while you’re at work, showin’ yo’ ass in front of the stacks. Do not associate your ridiculousness with libraries, because that affects the rest of us who are trying to, I don’t know, make a goddamned living and possibly get a job outside of libraries one day (QUELLE HORREUR OMG). You’re the reason why we get stories like this that slowly erode the credibility of this field — the tone of this article patronizing as hell, yo! Do you want that? Do you think reporters write about doctors and lawyers like this? No, they do not. They just do it to us. Because of what a few of us put out there, we all suffer. So THINK BEFORE YOU DORK, LIBRARIANS. Be a little more professional. And for Chrissakes, stop writing papers about Facebook.

This. Except that I think there was merit in the work we did on Facebook almost 3 years ago.  But that was almost 3 years ago.

Advertisement

What have I been up to?

In progress

Empty book trucks

After

When I got my job at Cooley, I said that I thought it would be neat to be on the ground floor of a new library – something that just doesn’t happen all that often these days. I didn’t realize that meant that I would be literally putting the books on the shelves. The books arrived on Tuesday, and I spent 14 hours between Thursday and Friday shelving. My hands are formed in leetle claws the shape of the ALR, though I’m sure my pain is nothing compared to my coworkers who were there all week.

On the bright side, I haven’t felt bad about not exercising because omg it hurts to move.  On the not-so-bright side, that means I’ve been too sore to run during the rare November weekend in the 60s.  Maybe today – if the Decennial Digests don’t beat me down.

IM transcript of the day

(5:26:21 PM) gelmaninfo@meebo.org/Home: what is your topic?
(5:26:35 PM) Patron: cow sharing in Maryland

[snip]

(5:32:29 PM) gelmaninfo@meebo.org/Home: is there a synonym for ‘sharing’ that is used in the farm business?
(5:33:21 PM) Patron: i am not certain
(5:33:25 PM) Patron: its like buying cow stocks
(5:33:35 PM) Patron: not a stock but buying like the “shares” to a cow
(5:33:45 PM) gelmaninfo@meebo.org/Home: right.  I know they do that in PA with horses
(5:33:56 PM) Patron: really??
(5:34:01 PM) Patron: whats the purpose of that?
(5:34:21 PM) Patron: like the purpose of using cow shares is to get around the law that sales of raw milk are illegal.
(5:34:55 PM) gelmaninfo@meebo.org/Home: oh, my dentist just likes to ride a horse but can’t afford to own one alone… different!

Open Letter to Library Patrons

Dear Patron,

If you’re calling and there’s no answer, please leave a message.  I can’t help you if you don’t leave a message.  It’s not that I don’t want to talk to you – it’s just that I’m helping someone else.

Really, I can’t do anything for you unless you leave a message.  I’m sorry that you feel that you have to hang up after three rings.  It’s really not going to do either of us any good if you do that.  We’ll both just get annoyed and frustrated, and it will be a negative experience for us both.

My dear patron, just leave a message.  Oh, and when you do leave a message, please leave your name AND your phone number and maybe, if you feel like it, some indication of why you were calling.  It’s better for us both when you do that.

Love,
Elizabeth

Another one!

(4:21:34 PM) aimguest5524280: hello
(4:21:51 PM) gelmaninfo: Hi, how can I help you?
(4:22:14 PM) aimguest5524280: this book i’m reading is so great
(4:24:09 PM) aimguest5524280: i just got excited and wanted to share
(4:24:59 PM) gelmaninfo: glad you are enjoying it
(4:25:31 PM) aimguest5524280: thanks! i read a lot

Conversation with aimguest5524280 at 12/10/2008 4:30:39 PM on gelmaninfo (aim)
(4:30:39 PM) aimguest5524280: i was just reading some of the book to my cat

Conversation with aimguest5524280 at 12/10/2008 4:44:57 PM on gelmaninfo (aim)
(4:44:57 PM) aimguest5524280: do you own a cat?

wow.

Perhaps I’m violating some unwritten or written library rule by posting this – but this is the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen in our IM logs yet.

(5:24:45 PM) aimguest4117069: hello
(5:25:08 PM) gelmaninfo: Hello, I’m working with another patron, but if you tell me your question, I can get started on it and get back to you as soon as I finish with the other person.
(5:25:50 PM) aimguest4117069: can i haz a cheezburger?
(5:26:27 PM) gelmaninfo: I’m sorry, I’m afraid I don’t understand the question.
(5:26:38 PM) aimguest4117069: ok bai