[Publib] "Sorry to bother you . . . "

[Lise Chlebanowski]

This reminds me of a similar problem that we encountered in that patrons would arrive at the reference desk just after the staff person had gone into the stacks to fetch a book. We developed a sign for the desk that said, "Wait! Don't go! Someone will be right back to assist you." This took care of the cranky folks who would wait 2 seconds and then burst into the staff workroom complaining that there was no one around to help them!  

Lisë Chlebanowski
Library Manager
Avondale Public Library
328 W. Western Ave.
Avondale, AZ 85323
623-478-3105


-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Mary J. Soucie
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 12:56 PM
To: Joe Schallan; Publib Publib Discussion
Subject: RE: [Publib] "Sorry to bother you . . . "

Joe queried "Has any place tried mandating that staff is not to take
work out with them to the public desk?" 

In an ideal world, that would be the norm instead of the exception. In
libraries like mine, where staff takes breaks in our community room, our
workroom is being turned (back) into the tech services area and I had to
move to the mezzanine level where we constructed an office, there is no
other place to do those other tasks. 

I think the best response is the one already mentioned "that's what
we're here for". Instead of Joe's long message how about a sign that
says "Please interrupt us"? :-) 

Mary J. Soucie, MLIS
Library Director
Wilmington Public Library District
Visit the world @ your library(tm)
201 S Kankakee St, Wilmington IL 60481
815-476-2834 Phone
815-476-7805 Fax
mailto:mjsoucie at wilmingtonlibrary.org 


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