[Publib] 50 things...

[Shannon.Hammock at rcc.edu]

I think I've asked this before, but I don't think I received a satisfactory explanation (not to me anyways). 
Why is the person physically standing in front of you given priority? Perhaps they simply work across the street, and it really takes no time or effort for them to come in. But you seem to want to punish the poor person who may not be able to afford transportation. And you seem to want to punish the person, who for whatever physical limitations they might have, may not be able to drive or walk to the library. I am sure others can add to the list. People have real information needs, whether they are physically in the library or not, and I don't see the wisdom/justice/fairness in saying that simply because someone is in the building that their needs have priority. 

Shannon

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Kevin Okelly
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 6:20 PM
To: Gair Helfrich; Vicki Marsh; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] 50 things...

When I work the reference desk a person physically standing in front of me
always has priority. They took the time and made the effort to come into
the library, therefore they come first.

Kevin O'Kelly
Reference and Community Languages Librarian
Somerville Public Library
79 Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143
(617)-623-5000