[Publib] 50 things...

[Lynne Ingersoll]

I think the answer to this is easy.  Whoever got there first, by whatever
means, gets priority.  If I am on a phone call, I tell the person in front
of me who just walked up that I will be with him/her in a minute.  If the
phone rings while I am with a physically present patron, I excuse myself,
answer the phone and tell the caller I'll be with him/her in a minute.

This seems like a "Duh" moment.

Lynne S. Ingersoll
Reference Services Manager
Technical Services Manager
Blue Island Public Library
2433 York Street
Blue Island, IL 60406
(708) 388-1078 x21
(708) 388-9301 Fax

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Shannon.Hammock at rcc.edu
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 11:13 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] 50 things...

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