Ask a Librarian March Madness Month
Where each day brings a surprising fact, a fun activity, or an Ask a Librarian award … and a chance to brag about our incredible services!
And the Ask a Librarian Award goes to…
Okay, just to clarify – the Collaborative Desk, which opens at 10am, closes at midnight Sunday thru Thursday, and at 5 pm Friday and Saturday. The Academic Desk is open 10 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday. Got it? Good! Now just find one of those non-wobbly office chairs, lower the fluorescents, and get out your Jiffy Pop…
Question: What is the Best Campfire Story by Ask a Librarian participating-library staff?
Answer: This one by Rhonda Kitchens of State College of Florida – Manatee/Sarasota:
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It was a dark and stormy night…
In preparation for State College of Florida – Manatee/Sarasota migrating to the PRIMO-interface (for LINCCweb 2.0), I worked a few hours on the academic desk… at night… long after the academic desk actually closes (at 4pm). I wanted to see how the migration was affecting some users. One night, I realized I had gone too far when I had 3 active requests up at the same time. I misread a patron’s explanation of her professor’s requirement for “6 Bib. References”. I read: 6 Biblical References. From there, I waxed poetic on Edith Wharton’s literary biblical references, nutrition suggestions from the Old Testament and was heading towards sage advice for family life from the prophets. In fact, I felt at the very top of my game. However, the stunned patron let me know her college wasn’t really religious. Rereading her query, I could only imagine what she thought Ethan Frome had to do with writing a pro/con paper.
To the men in white coats, Rhonda managed to utter three ominous words: “Alone… statewide… academic.”
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Rhonda, we feel your pain! But we just looove your consistent enthusiasm, and the initiative you take to share your comments, compliments, questions, and campfire stories. (Hint, hint everyone – share your stories and thoughts with us. We want to hear from you more often!) Thanks for creeping us out, Rhonda, and for your continued & thoughtful engagement. Watch for a secret prize to arrive on your doorstep in the next few weeks…
Word of Mouth Marketing (WOMM) – Spread the Word!
Inform your patrons with these talking points:
· For live help when you’re not in our library, visit askalibrarian.org (or find the link on our library’s website).
· You can use Ask a Librarian for free.
· Ask a Librarian is a website where you can go to get your questions answered by a real librarian.
· Ask a Librarian is open until midnight ET Sunday through Thursday and until 5 p.m. ET Friday and Saturday.
· If Ask a Librarian isn’t open for chat, you can always email your question to us, and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.