[Publib] 50 things [library staff] should never do

[Louise Alcorn]

1.       Never wait until the copier or printer runs out of paper to
refill it. Check it at the beginning of your shift. 

 

we actually have this as part of our daily Opening Procedures for staff.


 

 > The customer you're waiting on deserves your full attention. Don't
talk to other customers or employees unless your  customer includes them
in his/her conversation.

 

    This one drives me mad.  Both as a customer being ignored (grocery,
drug store) and also if I see any of my colleagues do it at a library.
There are times you need to finish telling a colleague about something
important (printer/copier down, etc.), but there are ways to acknowledge
the patron with body language or a quick aside, so they know you're
getting to them next, asap, and that your intention is not to ignore.
Continuing to tell your pumpkin bar recipe (even if it's delicious) to
your colleague while a patron waits is NOT acceptable.  

 

In a similar vein, I'd add to the list of "do nots":  Don't sit/lean
back in your chair at a public service desk while talking to a patron.
Sit forward, give them your full attention.  Even if they bore you or
you're having a friendly conversation.  

 

Louise E. Alcorn
Reference Technology Librarian
West Des Moines Public Library
4000 Mills Civic Pkwy
West Des Moines IA 50265
(515) 222-3573      louise.alcorn at wdm-ia.com
http://www.wdmlibrary.org <http://www.wdmlibrary.org/>    
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