[Publib] Reference Questions

[Lise Chlebanowski]

I had a similar experience many years ago with what I thought was a parent doing their child's homework. After I strongly suggested that the parent bring the student in to the library so that we could better help him she told me that he had terminal cancer and was struggling to meet his goal of a high school diploma before the end. It was so sad and I had to eat some crow on that one. So, you just never know!  


Lisë Chlebanowski
Library Manager
Sam Garcia Western Avenue Library
495 E. Western Ave.
Avondale, AZ   85323
623-333-2611 D
623-333-0260 F
lchlebanowski at avondale.org
 
Now Reading: How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper
Now Listening: New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Sanderson, James W.
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:41 PM
To: Lorie J. O'Donnell; PUBLIB
Subject: RE: [Publib] Reference Questions

Its not just home schoolers.  I once had a mother come to the desk and try to explain her son's assignment.  It was a while ago and I do not recall the topic, however she was not able to articulate it very well.  I explained that it was often best if we could work with the student directly as they would know their assignment better and it would be easier for us to ask questions about what their class was working on if we needed more information.  Her reply was her son was much to busy doing important things to bother with his assignments, he was after all on the basketball team.

James W. Sanderson
Supervising Librarian
West Avenue Library
Newport News Public Library
2907 West Avenue
Newport News, Virginia. 23607
(757) 247-8505
(757) 247-2344
www.nngov.com/library
-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Lorie J. O'Donnell
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:56 PM
To: PUBLIB
Subject: Re: [Publib] Reference Questions

It can be truly terrifying to think of some of the people home- schooling their children.  I had a mom in just yesterday looking for materials for her 4th grade home-schooled son.  She wanted DVDs that listed all the different kinds of bridges with brief descriptions, charts, etc.  I explained that we had all of that information in several books, that it was information more likely found in books.
She was quite adamant that her son not have to read to do his reports, he didn't have the time, and she wasn't going to make him read.  *sigh* It's not often I tell a patron a resounding *NO*, but I did in this case.  She was not happy. And this is the woman raising the future of the world (I know, that's dramatic, but t happens too often these days).

Lorie


On Dec 3, 2008, at 1:06 PM, DGunckel at ci.sierra-vista.az.us wrote:

> A parent homeschooling her 10 and 11 year old came into the library 
> asking for information about animals for her children's biology 
> reports.
> I took
> her to a section of the reference collection and explained here are 
> resources discussing animals including mammals, insects, retiles, 
> birds, etc. and even one-celled animals. She exclaimed, "NO, I want 
> just information on animals. You know, rabbits, bears, squirrels and 
> that kind of thing."
>
> David Gunckel
> Sierra Vista Public Library
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Publib mailing list
> Publib at webjunction.org
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>

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lorie J. O'Donnell, MLS
Chief Librarian for Children's Services

Jervis Public Library
613 N. Washington St.
Rome, NY   13440

315-336-4570 ext. 226






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