Wishlist for patrons

I saw this article today called, "Top 20 things librarians in public libraries wish patrons knew or did"

I picked out seven of my favorite ones to re-post here, with a few comments from me.

19. Ask us for what you really want, Please be specific! If you (or your child) need materials on how American pioneers lived while on the Oregon Trail, don't ask where the "history section" is. Of course, a good librarian will ask you questions to narrow it down.

16. Come to our programs! They are free entertainment for the whole family, which is especially great during the current economic crisis. We work hard to plan lecture series, author visits, video game programs, movie nights, book clubs, and knitting circles. We'll continue to have cutting edge and entertaining programs as long as you keep coming. Besides, high attendance at programs makes the library look good (and while you are there, why not check out a book?). If a library draws huge program numbers it is likely to continue to receive funding from the town or city to continue doing them.

15. Please respect the desk barrier. Unless we invite you to walk around and look over our shoulder, we'd prefer it if you would give us a bit of space. Please wait for us to turn the computer screen around so that you can see what information we've found for you.

My personal note: please don’t sit on the desk, also. Please. If you’re trying to talk to me, it helps to not have to look at your posterior.

11. The library has almost as many DVD's as your local video store. The same goes for CD's and even video games. We try and buy as much of the current and popular items as possible (in addition to informational and educational items). Plus our items are free. Why subscribe to Netflix when you can rent from the library?

9. Practice good hygiene. We're not asking you to put on a full face of makeup or bathe yourself in cologne (in fact it's probably better if you don't do the latter). Winter is cold and flu season. If you are sick, please try to sneeze away from the computer or reference desk. And please wash your hands!

My personal note: I’d settle for everyone just bathing. At least once every few days.

3. Be respectful of other library patrons. This includes giving the person ahead of you at the reference desk enough space, not yelling at your kids across the room, talking on your cell phone at the computer, and swearing. The library doesn't have to be a quiet place, but it doesn't need to sound like Husky Stadium.

(Underlined sections are added by me.)

2. We support Intellectual Freedom. Librarians and circulation clerks are not the content police. We will not prevent a six year-old child from checking out Nightmare on Elm Street or The Book of Bunny Suicides. We believe that it is the parent's or guardian's responsibility to monitor what their children take out of the library. If you do feel an item is inappropriate or should be withdrawn from the collection, ask your librarian for the proper paperwork to fill out. We can't guarantee it will be removed, but it will be considered by a committee and often reshelved in a different section of the library.

Another note from me, if your librarian hasn't read the book in question:

If you're worried about content for your child, read it first. If you're worried about content for you, look up all the reviews you can on amazon.com or goodreads.com. Chances are that someone has commented on something they found offensive in the book.