Fiction_L Archives Reading in airports, etc. Dates: 5/21/02,2:36 PM  through  5/23/02,1:47 PM  (29 postings) Search for: Select one or more indexes to search: 2011-current     2009-2010     2004-2008    1995-2003    (Matches from each index will be displayed separately in the results page.) Return to May 2002 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: Susan Creed <[removed]@spokanelibrary.org>
REC'D: 5/21/02, 2:36 PM

Does it just annoy the bejeezus out of any other readers out there that
there are now TV's everywhere which mitigate against quality reading time?

I have always enjoyed waiting places just because it was a great excuse to
pick up a book but I'm not so stalwart that I can block out that ubiquitous
TV. The garage waiting for your car, the pharmacy waiting for your
prescription, the airport waiting for your flight--there's the [[removed]@ TV!

Susan Creed
Youth Services Librarian,
Shadle Library
Spokane Public Library
2111 W. Wellesley
Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org

FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 5/21/02, 2:47 PM

One morning while I was waiting for an oil change, I actually tracked down
the TV zapper and switched the thing off. I was not THAT brave as I was the
only person in the waiting room, but when one of the receptionists came in
for her coffee, she almost fainted when I told her I'd switched it off
because it was too noisy. I won't say she actually edged away from me lest
she be struck by any lightning that didn't get me, but she was considering
it.

........................................................................
.....................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Creed [[removed]@spokanelibrary.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 2:55 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Reading in airports, etc.

Does it just annoy the bejeezus out of any other readers out there that
there are now TV's everywhere which mitigate against quality reading time?

I have always enjoyed waiting places just because it was a great excuse to
pick up a book but I'm not so stalwart that I can block out that ubiquitous
TV. The garage waiting for your car, the pharmacy waiting for your
prescription, the airport waiting for your flight--there's the [[removed]@
TV!

Susan Creed
Youth Services Librarian,
Shadle Library
Spokane Public Library
2111 W. Wellesley
Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org

FROM: Kelly Ewalt <[removed]@lvdl.org>
REC'D: 5/21/02, 2:58 PM

Yes! I dread getting my oil changed for this very reason. In fact, the last
time I had my oil changed, there were three customers in the waiting room,
and the TV was off. We were all reading. But then another woman came in, and
even though she could see we were all reading, she walked over and turned on
the TV, where the Today show was interviewing circus performers of all the
irritating things! I ALMOST said to her in a falsely bright and cheerful
voice, "Why, NO, we don't mind AT ALL if you turn on the TV. Thanks for
asking!" but the woman looked like she could have subbed physically and
emotionally for a bar bouncer, so I gritted my teeth and enjoyed watching
the other customers flash her hostile looks. She was also annoying because
she had a package of Ho-Hos for breakfast which she took forever to open
(like opening crinkly-wrapped candy at the opera or church) and then
masticated them loudly. This is like 7:30 a.m., mind you.

Kelly DiDonato
Reference Librarian
Lake Villa District Library
Lake Villa, Illinois

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Creed [[removed]@spokanelibrary.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 1:55 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Reading in airports, etc.

Does it just annoy the bejeezus out of any other readers out there that
there are now TV's everywhere which mitigate against quality reading time?

I have always enjoyed waiting places just because it was a great excuse to
pick up a book but I'm not so stalwart that I can block out that ubiquitous
TV. The garage waiting for your car, the pharmacy waiting for your
prescription, the airport waiting for your flight--there's the [[removed]@
TV!

Susan Creed
Youth Services Librarian,
Shadle Library
Spokane Public Library
2111 W. Wellesley
Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org

FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 5/21/02, 2:58 PM

One of my "If I Become Dictator of the World" reforms is going to be the
establishment of TV-free zones so people can read, converse, or even
(horrors) think.

........................................................................
.....................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac

-----Original Message-----
From: Kelly Ewalt [[removed]@lvdl.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 3:50 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Reading in airports, etc.

Yes! I dread getting my oil changed for this very reason. In fact, the last
time I had my oil changed, there were three customers in the waiting room,
and the TV was off. We were all reading. But then another woman came in, and
even though she could see we were all reading, she walked over and turned on
the TV, where the Today show was interviewing circus performers of all the
irritating things! I ALMOST said to her in a falsely bright and cheerful
voice, "Why, NO, we don't mind AT ALL if you turn on the TV. Thanks for
asking!" but the woman looked like she could have subbed physically and
emotionally for a bar bouncer, so I gritted my teeth and enjoyed watching
the other customers flash her hostile looks. She was also annoying because
she had a package of Ho-Hos for breakfast which she took forever to open
(like opening crinkly-wrapped candy at the opera or church) and then
masticated them loudly. This is like 7:30 a.m., mind you.

Kelly DiDonato
Reference Librarian
Lake Villa District Library
Lake Villa, Illinois

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Creed [[removed]@spokanelibrary.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 1:55 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Reading in airports, etc.

Does it just annoy the bejeezus out of any other readers out there that
there are now TV's everywhere which mitigate against quality reading time?

I have always enjoyed waiting places just because it was a great excuse to
pick up a book but I'm not so stalwart that I can block out that ubiquitous
TV. The garage waiting for your car, the pharmacy waiting for your
prescription, the airport waiting for your flight--there's the [[removed]@
TV!

Susan Creed
Youth Services Librarian,
Shadle Library
Spokane Public Library
2111 W. Wellesley
Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org

FROM: "Laura McCaffery" <[removed]@acpl.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 5/21/02, 3:09 PM

As far as I am concerned a TV is just so much background noise when I want to read. Hardly a miner distraction. At the airport there is so much noise anyway, what difference does a TV make? There is not one room in our home that does not have reading material available. In fact I have been known to have a book ging in several rooms at once. lmc

Laura Hibbets McCaffery
Readers Services
Allen County Public Library
900 Webster Street
Fort Wayne IN 46802
260-421-1200x2303
This is my opinion and mine alone. The
views, opinions, and judgements
expressed in this message are solely
those of the author. The message
contents have not been reviewed or
approved by the Allen County Public
Library.

FROM: Spencer Ms Martha <[removed]@usmc-mccs.org>
REC'D: 5/21/02, 3:29 PM

And have you noticed that you can't hear the announcements in the airports
because of the TVs?

Martha Spencer

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Creed [[removed]@spokanelibrary.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 11:55 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Reading in airports, etc.

Does it just annoy the bejeezus out of any other readers out there that
there are now TV's everywhere which mitigate against quality reading time?

I have always enjoyed waiting places just because it was a great excuse to
pick up a book but I'm not so stalwart that I can block out that ubiquitous
TV. The garage waiting for your car, the pharmacy waiting for your
prescription, the airport waiting for your flight--there's the [[removed]@
TV!

Susan Creed
Youth Services Librarian,
Shadle Library
Spokane Public Library
2111 W. Wellesley
Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org

FROM: "Kelly Benson" <[removed]@three-rivers-library.org>
REC'D: 5/21/02, 3:40 PM

> As far as I am concerned a TV is just so much background noise when I want
to read. Hardly a miner distraction. At the airport there is so much noise
anyway, what difference does a TV make? There is not one room in our home
that does not have reading material available. In fact I have been known to
have a book ging in several rooms at once. lmc

Yeah, I'm pretty much able to drown out the TV as well at most places.
Besides, in my experience half the time the tv is on with no volume (one of
my personal pet peeves, why bother having the darn tv on if you can't hear
it? It's like having a tv on at a bar.) And I've had to living with my
husband and his family. In their house, the TV was on 24/7, and if it
wasn't for me and my insommina, the TV would be on constantly in our home.
Luckily, I need absolute quiet and darkness to sleep and my husband had to
get used to it.

:-)

PS. If you look hard enough, there are plenty of places at airports that
don't have TVs. Back in the days when you could go down to the gate to meet
your party, I'd spend lots of time at the airport waiting for my husband to
get back from a business trip. I know every place in O'Hare that's quiet to
read. There are seats behind the TVs, seats that face the windows and the
best places? Empty gates. Sometimes the TVs aren't even on there. You can
sit in relative peace and quiet. Also in the big areas between buildings,
there are places to sit as well with no TVs. And if you're meeting someone
now a days, you can sit on the benches up by the ticket windows and there's
no TVs there either.

Kelly Benson
Adult Services Librarian
Three Rivers Public Library District
Channahon-Minooka, Illinois

FROM: "Ann Boles" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 5/21/02, 4:02 PM

I feel the same way about the music, commercials, radio stations, etc. that
you are forced to listen to when you are on hold on the phone. If you are
on hold with no noise, you can read (or work) while you wait. If you have
to wait with noise, you need to be at least partially tuned in to the noise
so you know when someone is there talking to you.

----Original Message Follows----
From: Susan Creed <[removed]@spokanelibrary.org>
Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
Subject: Reading in airports, etc.
Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 11:55:28 -0700

Does it just annoy the bejeezus out of any other readers out there that
there are now TV's everywhere which mitigate against quality reading time?

I have always enjoyed waiting places just because it was a great excuse to
pick up a book but I'm not so stalwart that I can block out that ubiquitous
TV. The garage waiting for your car, the pharmacy waiting for your
prescription, the airport waiting for your flight--there's the [[removed]@
TV!

Susan Creed
Youth Services Librarian,
Shadle Library
Spokane Public Library
2111 W. Wellesley
Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ann Boles
Yavapai County Library District
Prescott, Arizona
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

_________________________________________________________________
MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:
http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx

FROM: "Ann Boles" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 5/21/02, 4:13 PM

My husband and I decided to NOT have television when we moved to our current
home 6 1/2 years ago. We love it. We do watch videos, but we don't have
the constant commercials and noise from television. I love it. I still
don't have enough reading time, but no tv is one less distraction.

----Original Message Follows----
From: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
Subject: RE: Reading in airports, etc.
Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 15:53:36 -0400

One of my "If I Become Dictator of the World" reforms is going to be the
establishment of TV-free zones so people can read, converse, or even
(horrors) think.

........................................................................
.....................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ann Boles
Yavapai County Library District
Prescott, Arizona
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

FROM: "Susan T. Byra" <[removed]@emrl.lib.ms.us>
REC'D: 5/21/02, 4:24 PM

I've learned over the years to tune them out. In fact, I can be reading
at home and tune it out too good, and miss when the show comes back from
commercial. I was helped greatly in perfecting this ability by
inheriting a bookkeeper who never shut her [removed]@#$%&^ mouth all day long, so
I had to learn to tune her out. Thank goodness she's not around here
any more, life is so much quieter and peaceful (except for all those
annoying TVs!).

Susan

--
Susan T. Byra, MLS
Director, East Miss. Regional Library

Now I believe that there are unicorns - William Shakespeare

FROM: "AWarner" <[removed]@charter.net>
REC'D: 5/21/02, 7:13 PM

This seems to be the rule--TV rules. It's on loud everywhere and makes it
hard to read--waiting in hospital waiting rooms, for example. Also, when my
husband was in the hospital for a while the next guys TV drove him crazy--on
24/7.
Judy W
----- Original Message -----
From: Kelly Ewalt <[removed]@lvdl.org>
To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 3:49 PM
Subject: RE: Reading in airports, etc.

> Yes! I dread getting my oil changed for this very reason. In fact, the
last
> time I had my oil changed, there were three customers in the waiting room,
> and the TV was off. We were all reading. But then another woman came in,
and
> even though she could see we were all reading, she walked over and turned
on
> /rs/flmenu.html

FROM: "Donna Jo Atwood" <[removed]@olatheks.org>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 9:29 AM

What I find just as annoying are the people who have to wait for a computer
when they come into the library to use the internet. Many of them can't
find anything to do with their time so they just sit at one of the table
with their arms folded and stare into space. We've suggested they might
want to look at magazines (and have even had magazines on some of the nearby
tables) but even that is too much like reading, apparently.

Donna Jo Atwood
Reference Librarian
Olathe (KS) Public Library

FROM: celmore <[removed]@westga.edu>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 10:00 AM

Yes, yes, yes!! What's even more annoying is when they sit and stare at
you while you are trying to continue working. I get the feeling that they
thing if they are annoying enough, I will get up and pull someone off a
computer
just to get rid of the staring. Plus, you can be helping a person with
a "real" reference question and they will drum their fingers on the
Reference Desk until you are free to sign them up for a computer. I'm
sorry, but computer patrons are the rudiest people with whom I have to
deal. I would say 85% of the people who use our computers never check out
a book or tape or video. I know we have to have computers and they are
great for reference, but the game players and email readers are near the
bottom of my favorite people....enough venting.
Carole Elmore
Newnan-Coweta Public Library

>===== Original Message From "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
=====
> What I find just as annoying are the people who have to wait for a computer
>when they come into the library to use the internet. Many of them can't
>find anything to do with their time so they just sit at one of the table
>with their arms folded and stare into space. We've suggested they might
>want to look at magazines (and have even had magazines on some of the nearby
>tables) but even that is too much like reading, apparently.
>
>Donna Jo Atwood
>Reference Librarian
>Olathe (KS) Public Library
>
>
>.....................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 5/22/02, 10:21 AM

Happily, the places where I get my oil changed (an old-fashioned gas service
station - no gas, even) has no TV. I can read to my heart's content in an
uncomfortable plastic chair. OTOH - if the book is good enough, who notices
the chair? The only distractions I have are: "What are you reading? It must
be good, if you're so lost in it." Or, "Oh, is that one of the books you've
written? What are you working on?"

Still - it's better than ubiquitous TV.

In a message dated 5/21/2002 3:52:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[removed]@lvdl.org writes:

Yes! I dread getting my oil changed for this very reason. In fact, the last
time I had my oil changed, there were three customers in the waiting room,
and the TV was off. We were all reading. But then another woman came in, and
even though she could see we were all reading, she walked over and turned on
the TV, where the Today show was interviewing circus performers of all the
irritating things! I ALMOST said to her in a falsely bright and cheerful
voice, "Why, NO, we don't mind AT ALL if you turn on the TV. Thanks for
asking!" but the woman looked like she could have subbed physically and
emotionally for a bar bouncer, so I gritted my teeth and enjoyed watching
the other customers flash her hostile looks. She was also annoying because
she had a package of Ho-Hos for breakfast which she took forever to open
(like opening crinkly-wrapped candy at the opera or church) and then
masticated them loudly. This is like 7:30 a.m., mind you.

Kelly DiDonato
Reference Librarian
Lake Villa District Library
Lake Villa, Illinois

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Creed [[removed]@spokanelibrary.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 1:55 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Reading in airports, etc.

Does it just annoy the bejeezus out of any other readers out there that
there are now TV's everywhere which mitigate against quality reading time?

I have always enjoyed waiting places just because it was a great excuse to
pick up a book but I'm not so stalwart that I can block out that ubiquitous
TV. The garage waiting for your car, the pharmacy waiting for your
prescription, the airport waiting for your flight--there's the [[removed]@
TV!

Susan Creed
Youth Services Librarian,
Shadle Library
Spokane Public Library
2111 W. Wellesley
Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org

.

Binnie Syril Braunstein
Romance novelist/former librarian

FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 11:04 AM

I agree, a substantial chunk of the internet people are impossible. I find
myself wondering what they do with their lives nights and holidays when
we're not open. And the way some of them carry on when the connection is
down has caused me to go back and check to see it's really 'life, liberty,
and internet access.' Mercifully, it's still 'life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness.'

........................................................................
.....................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac

-----Original Message-----
From: celmore [[removed]@westga.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 10:51 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Reading in airports, etc.

Yes, yes, yes!! What's even more annoying is when they sit and stare at
you while you are trying to continue working. I get the feeling that they
thing if they are annoying enough, I will get up and pull someone off a
computer
just to get rid of the staring. Plus, you can be helping a person with
a "real" reference question and they will drum their fingers on the
Reference Desk until you are free to sign them up for a computer. I'm
sorry, but computer patrons are the rudiest people with whom I have to
deal. I would say 85% of the people who use our computers never check out
a book or tape or video. I know we have to have computers and they are
great for reference, but the game players and email readers are near the
bottom of my favorite people....enough venting.
Carole Elmore
Newnan-Coweta Public Library

>===== Original Message From "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
=====
> What I find just as annoying are the people who have to wait for a
computer
>when they come into the library to use the internet. Many of them can't
>find anything to do with their time so they just sit at one of the table
>with their arms folded and stare into space. We've suggested they might
>want to look at magazines (and have even had magazines on some of the
nearby
>tables) but even that is too much like reading, apparently.
>
>Donna Jo Atwood
>Reference Librarian
>Olathe (KS) Public Library
>
>
>.....................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 11:15 AM

I LOVE those little moments. Sometimes I invite the person to come visit
his or her nearest library branch and see what's happening. Once in a
while, I even see them in the shop later.

........................................................................
.....................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@aol.com [[removed]@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 1:39 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Reading in airports, etc.

Happily, the places where I get my oil changed (an old-fashioned gas service

station - no gas, even) has no TV. I can read to my heart's content in an
uncomfortable plastic chair. OTOH - if the book is good enough, who notices

the chair? The only distractions I have are: "What are you reading? It
must
be good, if you're so lost in it." Or, "Oh, is that one of the books you've

written? What are you working on?"

Still - it's better than ubiquitous TV.

In a message dated 5/21/2002 3:52:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[removed]@lvdl.org writes:

Yes! I dread getting my oil changed for this very reason. In fact, the last
time I had my oil changed, there were three customers in the waiting room,
and the TV was off. We were all reading. But then another woman came in, and
even though she could see we were all reading, she walked over and turned on
the TV, where the Today show was interviewing circus performers of all the
irritating things! I ALMOST said to her in a falsely bright and cheerful
voice, "Why, NO, we don't mind AT ALL if you turn on the TV. Thanks for
asking!" but the woman looked like she could have subbed physically and
emotionally for a bar bouncer, so I gritted my teeth and enjoyed watching
the other customers flash her hostile looks. She was also annoying because
she had a package of Ho-Hos for breakfast which she took forever to open
(like opening crinkly-wrapped candy at the opera or church) and then
masticated them loudly. This is like 7:30 a.m., mind you.

Kelly DiDonato
Reference Librarian
Lake Villa District Library
Lake Villa, Illinois

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Creed [[removed]@spokanelibrary.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 1:55 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Reading in airports, etc.

Does it just annoy the bejeezus out of any other readers out there that
there are now TV's everywhere which mitigate against quality reading time?

I have always enjoyed waiting places just because it was a great excuse to
pick up a book but I'm not so stalwart that I can block out that ubiquitous
TV. The garage waiting for your car, the pharmacy waiting for your
prescription, the airport waiting for your flight--there's the [[removed]@
TV!

Susan Creed
Youth Services Librarian,
Shadle Library
Spokane Public Library
2111 W. Wellesley
Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org

.

Binnie Syril Braunstein
Romance novelist/former librarian

FROM: "Lisa Colcord" <[removed]@ci.glendale.az.us>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 11:26 AM

You know, we were just "discussing" this same thing....about how all of our "encounters" these days are with the Internet patrons and how they think it is "okay" to interrupt you while you are helping as legitimate patron!

Lisa

Lisa Colcord
Librarian
Glendale Public library
Glendale, AZ

....my views are my own....

-The secret to life is enjoying the passage of time- James Taylor

>>> [removed]@westga.edu 05/22/02 07:50AM >>>
Yes, yes, yes!! What's even more annoying is when they sit and stare at
you while you are trying to continue working. I get the feeling that they
thing if they are annoying enough, I will get up and pull someone off a
computer
just to get rid of the staring. Plus, you can be helping a person with
a "real" reference question and they will drum their fingers on the
Reference Desk until you are free to sign them up for a computer. I'm
sorry, but computer patrons are the rudiest people with whom I have to
deal. I would say 85% of the people who use our computers never check out
a book or tape or video. I know we have to have computers and they are
great for reference, but the game players and email readers are near the
bottom of my favorite people....enough venting.
Carole Elmore
Newnan-Coweta Public Library

>===== Original Message From "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
=====
> What I find just as annoying are the people who have to wait for a computer
>when they come into the library to use the internet. Many of them can't
>find anything to do with their time so they just sit at one of the table
>with their arms folded and stare into space. We've suggested they might
>want to look at magazines (and have even had magazines on some of the nearby
>tables) but even that is too much like reading, apparently.
>
>Donna Jo Atwood
>Reference Librarian
>Olathe (KS) Public Library
>
>
>.....................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: <[removed]@scfn.thpl.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 11:47 AM

On Wed, 22 May 2002, Lisa Colcord wrote:

> You know, we were just "discussing" this same thing....about how all of our "
encounters" these days are with the Internet patrons and how they think it is "
okay" to interrupt you while you are helping as legitimate patron!
>
> Lisa
************** While it is valid to vent with each other about customer
challenges, let's remember that Internet customers are indeed "legitimate
patrons." Perhaps they are rude in line because they do not perceive why
they should have to wait for us to complete a reference exchange just to
be signed up on a computer. We have partly resolved this conflict of
perceived interests and expectations by delegating the sign-up of
Internet terminals to trained volunteers. It helps to try to think about
the situation from the customer's perspective.
Thank you,
Robin Leigh, Librarian
Brandon, FL

FROM: Lisa Olsen <[removed]@clsn1269.cumberland.lib.nc.us>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 12:40 PM

In the spirit of venting, what annoys me are not the computer patrons
per se. Some of them are very friendly people who smile and chat for a
moment or two. The computer patrons I cannot stand are the ones who come
up to the desk, grunt, and shove their card at me. While I can fully
understand not wanting to deal with a human being, when I am the human
being in question, I want the verbal interaction to actually be verbal!
Fortunately, such interactions are getting less frequent since the library
has installed an automated computer sign-up system. :) (Of course the
sign-up system has its own problems but I'll save that vent for another
day.)

_______________________________________________________________

Lisa A. Olsen

On Wed, 22 May 2002 [removed]@scfn.thpl.lib.fl.us wrote:

> On Wed, 22 May 2002, Lisa Colcord wrote:
>
> > You know, we were just "discussing" this same thing....about how all of our "
> encounters" these days are with the Internet patrons and how they think it is "
> okay" to interrupt you while you are helping as legitimate patron!
> >
> > Lisa
> ************** While it is valid to vent with each other about customer
> challenges, let's remember that Internet customers are indeed "legitimate
> patrons." Perhaps they are rude in line because they do not perceive why
> they should have to wait for us to complete a reference exchange just to
> be signed up on a computer. We have partly resolved this conflict of
> perceived interests and expectations by delegating the sign-up of
> Internet terminals to trained volunteers. It helps to try to think about
> the situation from the customer's perspective.
> Thank you,
> Robin Leigh, Librarian
> Brandon, FL
>
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>

FROM: "Laura McCaffery" <[removed]@acpl.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 1:23 PM

I seem to be missing something here. I did not realize that the Internet patrons were illegitimate. Since our catalog is web based, I assume that all our patrons would be considered as not legitimate also . Frankly, I do not find Internet patrons any more or less rude than anyone else. Many people have no compuncton about interrupting patron interactions; long distance telephone callers often wish to be served first . Perhaps it is all part of the perceived era of incivility that seems to be upon us? In real life I use the Internet a lot so I guess I know where I rate....(:})

Laura Hibbets McCaffery
Readers Services
Allen County Public Library
900 Webster Street
Fort Wayne IN 46802
260-421-1200x2303
This is my opinion and mine alone. The
views, opinions, and judgements
expressed in this message are solely
those of the author. The message
contents have not been reviewed or
approved by the Allen County Public
Library.

FROM: "Lisa Colcord" <[removed]@ci.glendale.az.us>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 1:02 PM

I didn't mean to say that Internet patrons were not valid customers, and, in fact, some of them are quite friendly. However, it really irks me when they interrupt my work with a legitimate "reference" patron.

Lisa

>>> [removed]@scfn.thpl.lib.fl.us 05/22/02 09:43 AM >>>
On Wed, 22 May 2002, Lisa Colcord wrote:

> You know, we were just "discussing" this same thing....about how all of our "
encounters" these days are with the Internet patrons and how they think it is "
okay" to interrupt you while you are helping as legitimate patron!
>
> Lisa
************** While it is valid to vent with each other about customer
challenges, let's remember that Internet customers are indeed "legitimate
patrons." Perhaps they are rude in line because they do not perceive why
they should have to wait for us to complete a reference exchange just to
be signed up on a computer. We have partly resolved this conflict of
perceived interests and expectations by delegating the sign-up of
Internet terminals to trained volunteers. It helps to try to think about
the situation from the customer's perspective.
Thank you,
Robin Leigh, Librarian
Brandon, FL

FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 1:43 PM

I don't think internet folks are illegitimate patrons, but for sheer
self-centered peskiness, about half of ours outdo genealogists who want you
to admire their ancestors, one-issue fanatics, 'classics' addicts, and 'do
you know who I am' people. If they would only manage to master the simple
skills of waiting one's turn, following the house rules, and leaving the
machine when their session is over, I could put up with them better. The
adults and adolescents who bully little kids who are properly signed up to
give up their computers are beneath contempt. When I catch them at it, they
get off the machine and out of the building for the rest of the day. One
has to have some standards.

........................................................................
.....................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac

-----Original Message-----
From: Laura McCaffery [[removed]@acpl.lib.in.us]
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 2:20 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: RE: Reading in airports, etc.

I seem to be missing something here. I did not realize that the Internet
patrons were illegitimate. Since our catalog is web based, I assume that
all our patrons would be considered as not legitimate also . Frankly, I do
not find Internet patrons any more or less rude than anyone else. Many
people have no compuncton about interrupting patron interactions; long
distance telephone callers often wish to be served first . Perhaps it is
all part of the perceived era of incivility that seems to be upon us? In
real life I use the Internet a lot
so I guess I know where I rate....(:})

Laura Hibbets McCaffery
Readers Services
Allen County Public Library
900 Webster Street
Fort Wayne IN 46802
260-421-1200x2303
This is my opinion and mine alone. The
views, opinions, and judgements
expressed in this message are solely
those of the author. The message
contents have not been reviewed or
approved by the Allen County Public
Library.

FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 1:12 PM

The quality of those interruptions is really aggravating. They plunge up to
the desk, paying no attention to anyone but themselves, usually just
mumbling--or barking--"internet". It is sometimes necessary to ask
them--sharply--to wait until the previous patron's question has been
answered. Adults who do this when the person I'm talking to is a child are
a particular irritant. Thank goodness for the M&M stash in my desk!

........................................................................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac

-----Original Message-----
From: Lisa Colcord [[removed]@ci.glendale.az.us]
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 1:57 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: RE: Reading in airports, etc.

I didn't mean to say that Internet patrons were not valid customers, and, in
fact, some of them are quite friendly. However, it really irks me when they
interrupt my work with a legitimate "reference" patron.

Lisa

>>> [removed]@scfn.thpl.lib.fl.us 05/22/02 09:43 AM >>>
On Wed, 22 May 2002, Lisa Colcord wrote:

> You know, we were just "discussing" this same thing....about how all of
our "
encounters" these days are with the Internet patrons and how they think it
is "
okay" to interrupt you while you are helping as legitimate patron!
>
> Lisa
************** While it is valid to vent with each other about customer
challenges, let's remember that Internet customers are indeed "legitimate
patrons." Perhaps they are rude in line because they do not perceive why
they should have to wait for us to complete a reference exchange just to
be signed up on a computer. We have partly resolved this conflict of
perceived interests and expectations by delegating the sign-up of
Internet terminals to trained volunteers. It helps to try to think about
the situation from the customer's perspective.
Thank you,
Robin Leigh, Librarian
Brandon, FL

FROM: Barb Borg-Jenkins <[removed]@pcpls.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 2:04 PM

My daughter and I were waiting at our doctor's office once and couldn't stand
the blare of the TV.
We looked around--no one was there--we turned it off.
There is now a sign--"don't change channels!"
-
Barbara Borg-Jenkins
Reference
South Haven Public Library
403 W 700 N
Valparaiso, IN 46385
219-759-4474
Fax 219-759-4454

Kathleen Stipek wrote:

> One morning while I was waiting for an oil change, I actually tracked down
> the TV zapper and switched the thing off. I was not THAT brave as I was the
> only person in the waiting room, but when one of the receptionists came in
> for her coffee, she almost fainted when I told her I'd switched it off
> because it was too noisy. I won't say she actually edged away from me lest
> she be struck by any lightning that didn't get me, but she was considering
> it.
>
> ........................................................................
> .....................
> Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
> Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
> [removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
> 352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)
>
> "Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Susan Creed [[removed]@spokanelibrary.org]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 2:55 PM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: Reading in airports, etc.
>
> Does it just annoy the bejeezus out of any other readers out there that
> there are now TV's everywhere which mitigate against quality reading time?
>
> I have always enjoyed waiting places just because it was a great excuse to
> pick up a book but I'm not so stalwart that I can block out that ubiquitous
> TV. The garage waiting for your car, the pharmacy waiting for your
> prescription, the airport waiting for your flight--there's the [[removed]@
> TV!
>
> Susan Creed
> Youth Services Librarian,
> Shadle Library
> Spokane Public Library
> 2111 W. Wellesley
> Spokane, WA 99205
> [removed]@spokanelibrary.org
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

-

FROM: Barb Borg-Jenkins <[removed]@pcpls.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 2:15 PM

I think TV is meant to keep people from getting restless in public waiting
areas...a bit like a tranquilizer. Have you ever watched facial expressions of
people watching television? Especially children..

Barbara Borg-Jenkins
Reference
South Haven Public Library
403 W 700 N
Valparaiso, IN 46385
219-759-4474
Fax 219-759-4454

AWarner wrote:

> This seems to be the rule--TV rules. It's on loud everywhere and makes it
> hard to read--waiting in hospital waiting rooms, for example. Also, when my
> husband was in the hospital for a while the next guys TV drove him crazy--on
> 24/7.
> Judy W
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Kelly Ewalt <[removed]@lvdl.org>
> To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 3:49 PM
> Subject: RE: Reading in airports, etc.
>
> > Yes! I dread getting my oil changed for this very reason. In fact, the
> last
> > time I had my oil changed, there were three customers in the waiting room,
> > and the TV was off. We were all reading. But then another woman came in,
> and
> > even though she could see we were all reading, she walked over and turned
> on
> > /rs/flmenu.html
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

--

FROM: "Steven A. Roman" <[removed]@addison.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 5/22/02, 2:15 PM

And let us not forget the recent inclusion of TVs in minivans to pacify the
youngins.

Steven A. Roman
Addison Public Library

-----Original Message-----
From: Barb Borg-Jenkins [[removed]@pcpls.lib.in.us]
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 2:03 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Reading in airports, etc.

I think TV is meant to keep people from getting restless in public waiting
areas...a bit like a tranquilizer. Have you ever watched facial expressions
of
people watching television? Especially children..

Barbara Borg-Jenkins
Reference
South Haven Public Library
403 W 700 N
Valparaiso, IN 46385
219-759-4474
Fax 219-759-4454

AWarner wrote:

> This seems to be the rule--TV rules. It's on loud everywhere and makes it
> hard to read--waiting in hospital waiting rooms, for example. Also, when
my
> husband was in the hospital for a while the next guys TV drove him
crazy--on
> 24/7.
> Judy W
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Kelly Ewalt <[removed]@lvdl.org>
> To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 3:49 PM
> Subject: RE: Reading in airports, etc.
>
> > Yes! I dread getting my oil changed for this very reason. In fact, the
> last
> > time I had my oil changed, there were three customers in the waiting
room,
> > and the TV was off. We were all reading. But then another woman came in,
> and
> > even though she could see we were all reading, she walked over and
turned
> on
> > /rs/flmenu.html
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

--

FROM: "Susan T. Byra" <[removed]@emrl.lib.ms.us>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 9:07 AM

I'd just turn it off anyway. After all, you didn't "change" the
channel, you eliminated it!
But then, I've always been a rebel.

Susan

--
Susan T. Byra, MLS
Director, East Miss. Regional Library

Now I believe that there are unicorns - William Shakespeare

FROM: "Roberta Johnson" <[removed]@dppl.org>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 12:30 PM

Did this thread originate in a request for places to read? I think it would be a great bookmark -- where we read, or Find your reading niche -- but if someone else is compiling, I won't!

Roberta S. Johnson, Readers' Services Librarian
Des Plaines Public Library
1501 Ellinwood, Des Plaines, IL 60016
847-376-2816
[removed]@dppl.org www.dppl.org
Opinions my own.

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Creed [[removed]@spokanelibrary.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 1:55 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Reading in airports, etc.

Does it just annoy the bejeezus out of any other readers out there that
there are now TV's everywhere which mitigate against quality reading time?

I have always enjoyed waiting places just because it was a great excuse to
pick up a book but I'm not so stalwart that I can block out that ubiquitous
TV. The garage waiting for your car, the pharmacy waiting for your
prescription, the airport waiting for your flight--there's the [[removed]@ TV!

Susan Creed
Youth Services Librarian,
Shadle Library
Spokane Public Library
2111 W. Wellesley
Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org

FROM: [removed]@eiNetwork.Net (Sharon McRae)
REC'D: 5/23/02, 1:47 PM

This thread started out as ways to "build more reading time into your
life..." I will compile list. THanks for all of the suggestions--it's
fun! Sharon

Sharon McRae, Adult Services Librarian
Shaler North Hills Library
1822 Mt. Royal Blvd.
Glenshaw, PA 15116

----- Original Message -----
From: "Roberta Johnson" <[removed]@dppl.org>
Date: Thursday, May 23, 2002 12:22 pm
Subject: RE: Reading in airports question?

> Did this thread originate in a request for places to read? I
> think it would be a great bookmark -- where we read, or Find your
> reading niche -- but if someone else is compiling, I won't!
>
> Roberta S. Johnson, Readers' Services Librarian
> Des Plaines Public Library
> 1501 Ellinwood, Des Plaines, IL 60016
> 847-376-2816
> [removed]@dppl.org www.dppl.org
> Opinions my own.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Susan Creed [[removed]@spokanelibrary.org]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 1:55 PM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: Reading in airports, etc.
>
>
>
> Does it just annoy the bejeezus out of any other readers out there
> thatthere are now TV's everywhere which mitigate against quality
> reading time?
>
> I have always enjoyed waiting places just because it was a great
> excuse to
> pick up a book but I'm not so stalwart that I can block out that
> ubiquitousTV. The garage waiting for your car, the pharmacy
> waiting for your
> prescription, the airport waiting for your flight--there's the
> [[removed]@ TV!
>
>
> Susan Creed
> Youth Services Librarian,
> Shadle Library
> Spokane Public Library
> 2111 W. Wellesley
> Spokane, WA 99205
> [removed]@spokanelibrary.org
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>

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