Library etiquitte....

[fairfarmhand]

Let's go over library etiquette.

1. Don't park your bulk in front of the book drop and have a personal conversation with the librarian for 10 minutes, especially when a person with a huge book bag and a 2 yr old are waiting.

 

2. Don't set your purse on the mouse-pads of adjoining computers.

 

3. When the person next to you shifts your purse so they can use 2 squ. in. of mouse pad space, don't give them a dirty look!

 

Anyone else want to add anything?

Edited September 29, 2010 by fairfarmhand

[Heatherwith4]

Don't stare too much at what the person in front of you is checking out! (Happened to me a few weeks ago, when I was checking out a book about tea. I know I shouldn't care, but I couldn't help it!) :lol:

[EJCMom]

This was from my experience at the library today:

 

Don't wander off leaving your 2-year-old daughter in the children's section all by herself. When the librarian does track you down, don't act all put out because you are expected to supervise your own small child. :mad:

[Dobela]

Don't check out your books then go to the bathroom. And especially don't sit your newly checked out books on the nasty sink.

 

 

Don't you dare ask me again how much I love being a grandma! I am only 40 and these are my children!

 

 

Don't laugh when your kids are caught moving books around on the shelves and deliberately putting them in the wrong places - sometimes many aisles away.

[TN Mama]

Don't chat away on your cell phone while browsing the shelves, using the computers, or really at all while in the library!

[melissel]

The children's section of the library is not a playground. When your children begin using the furniture like a jungle gym and begin running foot races around the stacks at top speed and you begin to look and feel uncomfortable, honor that instinct and STOP YOUR CHILDREN. When the librarian must come out from the back office of the library and reprimand your children for you, don't have the nerve to be offended.

[Belacqua]

Please don't get huffy with the lady at the circulation desk because the Inter-Library Loan you requested yesterday isn't in yet. Those things often take weeks, and suggesting that the library staff is lazy and incompetent won't go far to change that.

[gingersmom]

Don't be a librarian who hates children. The same librarian speaks in a tone of voice equal to yelling and then tells the children they are too loud.

[TN Mama]

Don't be a librarian who hates children. The same librarian speaks in a tone of voice equal to yelling and then tells the children they are too loud.

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree: Also, don't be a librarian if you dislike people of any age. Really. And perhaps you might want to have some knowledge of, oh I don't know... books, maybe?!

[happi duck]

When you need to plug in your laptop SIT NEAR THE OUTLET!! Don't stretch your cord across the aisle! (Unless of course you really intend to set a booby trap...in that case, carry on :tongue_smilie:)

[Imprimis]

Take care of the books you check out while they are in your possession.

 

Don't let your children read or handle them while they are eating if they can't do so without spilling spaghetti sauce, chocolate, etc. all over them.

[fairfarmhand]

Don't be a librarian who hates children. The same librarian speaks in a tone of voice equal to yelling and then tells the children they are too loud.

:iagree:

[Word Nerd]

:iagree::iagree::iagree: Also, don't be a librarian if you dislike people of any age. Really. And perhaps you might want to have some knowledge of, oh I don't know... books, maybe?!

 

And if you don't like working with the general public or helping them, have an abrasive personality, and don't have many social skills to speak of, you probably should rethink the idea of being a public services librarian.

[Hunter's Moon]

1. Don't get drunk near a library because your drunken mind will think it's funny to enter said library and be obnoxious and loud (yes, unfortunately, I've witnessed this three times)

 

2. Don't assume you're the only person who needs the librarian's help.

[Margo out of lurking]

Don't chat away on your cell phone while browsing the shelves, using the computers, or really at all while in the library!

 

 

:iagree: I work in a library. No one pays any attention to the signs requesting they take their cell phone calls in the foyer. I like kids, I like helping people, I think I'm friendly, I try not to be loud. I am very familiar with kids' books, handy as I work in the children's dept.

 

If you have $100 in lost book fees, don't get ticked off at ME because I won't check anything out to you.

 

If you have never touched a computer before, please don't come into the library and expect personalized computer instruction. Unfortunately, I do not have 30 minutes to devote solely to you. I probably would if I could, but I can't.

 

Do not come in 5 minutes before closing time and attempt to check out 30 books.

 

And if you don't like people, for heaven's sake, do not work at the library. (I really should write an etiquette list for library staff.:glare:)

[melissel]

Do not come in 5 minutes before closing time and attempt to check out 30 books.

 

Oops! My apologies :blush: I know the librarians curse my name when I walk in the door, but I try not to pull this one too often.

[simka2]

Don't build a play area equipped with a treehouse, and be upset when kids PLAY!!!!

[annlaura]

Don't sit in the chair nearest the children's section during lapsit story time, and then make loud huffing "I'm disgusted" noises when you can hear the children.

 

If you are the children's librarian, don't smoke a cigarette right outside the door. :glare:

[ConnieB]

This was from my experience at the library today:

 

Don't wander off leaving your 2-year-old daughter in the children's section all by herself. When the librarian does track you down, don't act all put out because you are expected to supervise your own small child. :mad:

 

One of our libraries sits right next door to the police station. Big huge sign at the entrance says not to leave any child under 9 years old unattended as they will be taken next door for you to pick up. And the librarians DO on a regular basis. I can't imagine how scary it is to not know where your little one is, but then to learn you get to go to the police station to collect them! According to the librarians it has worked wonders since first implemented several years ago.....seems non of the regulars are guilty anymore, lol.

[justasque]

If you like this thread, you might enjoy reading the comic "Unshelved", about the folks who work in or are patrons of a library.

 

http://www.unshelved.com/2002-2-16

 

We love it.

 

They've done favorable homeschooling strips in the past, and have sold t-shirts that say "Library Schooled" in their shop. They also run an annual bookcart decoration contest.

[QueenCat]

Let's go over library etiquette.

 

2. Don't set your purse on the mouse-pads of adjoining computers.

 

Anyone else want to add anything?

 

Hmm.... I thought we might go to the same library but I don't think mine has mouse pads.....

 

As to rules to add: Don't let your kids knock me over while I'm crouched down, trying to look at materials on the low shelf.

[bairnmama]

Do not come in 5 minutes before closing time and attempt to check out 30 books.

 

 

 

 

My mother works in a library that has absolutely NO limits on the number of books a person can check out. She would be thrilled with the person who came in right before closing and only wanted 30 books. They also only recently limited the number of DVDs to 100 per person. Why? Because of the person who came in and tried to check out 200 DVDs for her lovely children to watch on a long weekend!:001_huh:

 

ETA And as for adding to the rules: Don't come to the library only to refuse let your child check out the book they are begging to take home because you've already picked out 6 princess movies for her to watch.

Edited September 29, 2010 by bairnmama

[Belacqua]

My mother works in a library that has absolutely NO limits on the number of books a person can check out. She would be thrilled with the person who came in right before closing and only wanted 30 books. They also only recently limited the number of DVDs to 100 per person. Why? Because of the person who came in and tried to check out 200 DVDs for her lovely children to watch on a long weekend!:001_huh:

 

Wow. I doubt my little library even has 200 DVDs.

[Dobela]

My mother works in a library that has absolutely NO limits on the number of books a person can check out. She would be thrilled with the person who came in right before closing and only wanted 30 books. They also only recently limited the number of DVDs to 100 per person. Why? Because of the person who came in and tried to check out 200 DVDs for her lovely children to watch on a long weekend!:001_huh:

Someone can check out 100 DVDs??? Wow. Our library limits it to 10 - and a total of 30 items per card. 4 items per Dewey decimal number or author...

[Kirch]

ETA And as for adding to the rules: Don't come to the library only to refuse let your child check out the book they are begging to take home because you've already picked out 6 princess movies for her to watch.

 

How sad! :sad:

[justasque]

Our library limits you to 99 items per card. Ask me how I know...

 

It's not our local library (at which the librarians have an attitude a librarian friend described as "these are my books, and I *might* let you borrow them", as opposed to "these are *your* books; I'm just taking are of them until you need them), but it's worth the trip.

[Stacia]

If you end up checking out something that is damaged, please turn it in to the librarians. I have had so many books lately w/ broken spines & a few dvds that were horribly messed up. I always take them in to the desk & point it out to the librarians so they can pull it & either repair it or replace it. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only patron doing so....

[bairnmama]

She works in a branch of the Houston library system and they have thousands of DVDs available. I think she said they see 2000 people everyday during the summer. I absolutely love it! Their children's section alone is larger than the entire main branch of my county library system.

[ZeldaRules]

Which library in Houston? I live in the Houston area and we can only check out 75 books per card.

[happi duck]

ETA And as for adding to the rules: Don't come to the library only to refuse let your child check out the book they are begging to take home because you've already picked out 6 princess movies for her to watch.

 

This happens at our library too...makes the librarians heartsick!

[Miss Sherry]

Don't stare too much at what the person in front of you is checking out! (Happened to me a few weeks ago, when I was checking out a book about tea. I know I shouldn't care, but I couldn't help it!) :lol:

Bwahhahahah I might be tempted to stare too. :001_rolleyes: But of course,I wouldn't. :lol:

[Miss Sherry]

One of our libraries sits right next door to the police station. Big huge sign at the entrance says not to leave any child under 9 years old unattended as they will be taken next door for you to pick up. And the librarians DO on a regular basis. I can't imagine how scary it is to not know where your little one is, but then to learn you get to go to the police station to collect them! According to the librarians it has worked wonders since first implemented several years ago.....seems non of the regulars are guilty anymore, lol.

Hopefully the lesson made enough of an impact that the offenders are applying it in other situations and not leaving their children unattended any where else.

[Miss Sherry]

My mother works in a library that has absolutely NO limits on the number of books a person can check out. She would be thrilled with the person who came in right before closing and only wanted 30 books. They also only recently limited the number of DVDs to 100 per person. Why? Because of the person who came in and tried to check out 200 DVDs for her lovely children to watch on a long weekend!:001_huh:

 

ETA And as for adding to the rules: Don't come to the library only to refuse let your child check out the book they are begging to take home because you've already picked out 6 princess movies for her to watch.

I can't imagine someone checking out 200 DVD's. 100 is really way too many:lol:

[jplain]

ETA And as for adding to the rules: Don't come to the library only to refuse let your child check out the book they are begging to take home because you've already picked out 6 princess movies for her to watch.

I refused to let my 4yo check out yet another Spot book when we came to the library to get a Shaun the Sheep DVD. I had to laugh when I heard myself saying "No! We're not checking out any books today!" But I don't feel guilty about it. I am sick to death of Spot, and we have tons of library books at home. :tongue_smilie:

 

My rule: librarians need to respect the "quiet study area." I gave up trying to get work done at the library in the evenings, because even with earplugs, I could hear one particular librarian's personal phone calls. One time, during a call that was CLEARLY personal, I politely asked her to keep her voice down. After she finished her phone call she charged over and berated me for disturbing her while she was conducting library business. Then she spent the rest of the evening very loudly slamming around (reshelving) items near me. *sigh*

Edited September 29, 2010 by jplain

[LuvToRead]

Don't eat something messy, then get your nasty fingerprints over the pages of the book.

 

The one about checking 100 DVD's made me giggle, because my library has about 10 DVD's.

[Heatherwith4]

200 DVDs???? How is that even possible???

Seriously, some of these stories are making me really love my library. :)

[Margo out of lurking]

Don't come to the library only to refuse let your child check out the book they are begging to take home because you've already picked out 6 princess movies for her to watch.

 

Ugh, I see this all the time. The parents stock up on as many kid movies as possible with their cards but NEVER check out a single book for those kids.

 

One more rule: Please do not leave your small child unattended while YOU spend an hour on Facebook or Farmville and expect that child to entertain himself. Your kid really would like to spend time with you.

[hsmom3tn]

If you see a bit of nudity in a book (yes, sometimes even in children's books), don't tear out the pages, color over the private parts with a Sharpie, or staple the pages together so that the offending image can't be seen.

[Pretty in Pink]

Don't build a play area equipped with a treehouse, and be upset when kids PLAY!!!!

 

:iagree:Our old library had these foam slides with steps up the back, and the children's librarian would scold little ones for climbing on them... :confused:

[Farrar]

In the same vein as the library playspaces where you're not allowed to play...

 

Do not set up a special children's computer with lots of games specifically for preschoolers then yell at the preschoolers for using it.

 

AND... if you do set up such a computer and put a 15 minute limit on its use, do not set up games that take 5 minutes to load and half an hour to play.

 

Actually, just... stop spending so much money on strange new computer resources if you can't even keep your computer catalog working.

Edited September 30, 2010 by farrarwilliams
typo

[sandellie4]

ETA And as for adding to the rules: Don't come to the library only to refuse let your child check out the book they are begging to take home because you've already picked out 6 princess movies for her to watch.

 

Where are the slap police when you need them? :glare:

 

Sandy

[Margo out of lurking]

Where are the slap police when you need them? :glare:

 

 

We're posting on TWTM boards, of course!!!

 

:lol: