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Fiction_L Archives
Funny Library Story
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FROM: "Baird, Jane H." <[removed]@ci.anchorage.ak.us>
REC'D: 4/21/04, 5:56 PM
FROM: "Benoun, Kathleen" <[removed]@secstate.wa.gov>
REC'D: 4/21/04, 6:07 PM
Kathleen Benoun
Western State Hospital
-----Original Message-----
From: Baird, Jane H. [[removed]@ci.anchorage.ak.us]
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 3:54 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Funny Library Stories
Hmmm. Well that didn't come out well so will try, try again.
I'm going to be on talk radio next week and have been asked by my hostess to
bring some funny patron/librarian transaction stories. Well, naturally,
since I never misunderstand exactly what my patrons are looking for (yeah,
right) I don't have any of these stories at my fingertips. However, I was
hoping some of you just might. Names will be changed to protect the
innocent.
Thanks all.
Jane Baird
Anchorage Municipal Libraries
5睶.n+ࠉ˛
mj!࠶b࠽࠽ীX*'.mbࠢypyگ*+
FROM: "Robin Deffendall" <[removed]@cumberland.lib.nc.us>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 9:37 AM
Customer came into the library last month during the height of the furor
over Mel Gibson's new movie. He asked for the book that The Passion of the
Christ was based upon. Our confident staff person said, "Oh. You mean the
Bible?"
"No," the young man said. "I want the BOOK the movie was based on."
"It was based on the Holy Bible," our staff person said, confused by what he
wanted.
The man explained. "Usually there's a novel and then they make the movie.
I'm looking for the novel."
He left completely unconvinced that there was no original novel.
Story 2:
A regular customer approached the reference desk and the Librarian asked if
she could help her with anything. "Yes," she said, "There was a guy back
there that said you have a whole book on The Righteous Brothers. It follows
them all the way back to the beginning. Do you think you could help me find
that?"
The Librarian began looking in the catalog and found only a CD and it was
checked out. She explained this to the customer. The woman then began
describing again the book she was told was here. "It's a great big book and
it covers everything about The Righteous Brothers." She explains at length
and then repeats "It goes all the way to the beginning. When they invented
the airplane."
The light bulb goes on and the Librarian takes her to the shelves and finds
her books on the Wright brothers.
Afterwards a fellow Librarian mentioned that earlier in the day the same
customer had been looking for the Warner Brothers.
Robin Deffendall
Bordeaux Branch Library
Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center
Fayetteville, NC
-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org [[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]
On Behalf Of Baird, Jane H.
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 5:54 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Funny Library Stories
Hmmm. Well that didn't come out well so will try, try again.
I'm going to be on talk radio next week and have been asked by my hostess to
bring some funny patron/librarian transaction stories. Well, naturally,
since I never misunderstand exactly what my patrons are looking for (yeah,
right) I don't have any of these stories at my fingertips. However, I was
hoping some of you just might. Names will be changed to protect the
innocent.
Thanks all.
Jane Baird
Anchorage Municipal Libraries
^y h r{ r??{j!?b? b??br? i b??y j
FROM: "Karen Traynor, Chittenango" <[removed]@midyork.org>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 9:53 AM
Actually....I was in Barnes & Noble yesterday and saw a book that had a blurb on it "Read the book that inspired Mel Gibson's "Passion of Christ". So maybe there is a book...don't ask me the title though, it is already erased from my memory bank!
Karen Traynor
Sullivan Free Library
519 McDonnell Street
Chittenango, NY 13037
FROM: Doris Ann Norris <[removed]@woh.rr.com>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 9:53 AM
Doris Ann Norris
FROM: "Gena Zelenka" <[removed]@park-ridge.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 9:58 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Karen Traynor, Chittenango [[removed]@midyork.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2004 9:38 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Funny Library Stories
---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Robin Deffendall" <[removed]@cumberland.lib.nc.us>
>Customer came into the library last month during the height of the furor
>over Mel Gibson's new movie. He asked for the book that The Passion of the
>Christ was based upon. Our confident staff person said, "Oh. You mean the
>Bible?"
Actually....I was in Barnes & Noble yesterday and saw a book that had a blurb on it "Read the book that inspired Mel Gibson's "Passion of Christ". So maybe there is a book...don't ask me the title though, it is already erased from my memory bank!
Karen Traynor
Sullivan Free Library
519 McDonnell Street
Chittenango, NY 13037
FROM: "Sarah Stein" <[removed]@denver.lib.co.us>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 10:11 AM
LCCN 2004-100324
ISBN 0974909807 (pbk.)
Emmerich, Anna Katharina, d 1774-1824.
The dolorous passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ / c according to
the meditations of Anne Catherine Emmerich ; transcribed and edited by Klemens
Maria Brentano.
El Sobrante, Calif. : b North Bay Books, c c2003.
285 p. ; c 23 cm.
Translation of: Das bittere Leiden Unseres Herrn Jesu Christi.
This edition prepared from the 20th ed. published: New York :
Benziger Brothers, 1904.
>>> [removed]@park-ridge.lib.il.us 4/22/04 8:52:16 AM >>>
The book title that Mel based his movie on is THE DOLOROUS PASSION of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST by Anne Catherine Emmerich.
-
Sarah Stein
Senior Special Collections Librarian
Materials Support/Special Cataloging
Denver Public Library
Denver, Colorado, USA
[removed]@denver.lib.co.us
FROM: "Karen Traynor, Chittenango" <[removed]@midyork.org>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 10:17 AM
Karen Traynor
Sullivan Free Library
519 McDonnell Street
Chittenango, NY 13037
FROM: "Mary Jane Celsie" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 1:01 PM
Or as Gertrude Stein supposedly said on her death bed, "What is the answer?
What is the question?"
MJ
Mary Jane Celsie
Director of Service Development
Richmond Hill Public Library
905-770-0310, Ext. 422
[removed]@yahoo.ca
A public library is the most enduring of memorials, the trustiest monument
for the preservation of an event or a name or an affection; for it, and it
only, is respected by wars and revolutions, and survives them.
Mark Twain - Letter to the Millicent [Rogers] Library, 2/22/1894
>From: "Benoun, Kathleen" <[removed]@secstate.wa.gov>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: Funny Library Stories
>Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 16:08:46 -0700
>
>Jane,
>All the situations in the library cartoon series UNSHELVED remind me of
>funny true-life tales. Go visit www.overduemedia.com
>
>Kathleen Benoun
>Western State Hospital
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Baird, Jane H. [[removed]@ci.anchorage.ak.us]
>Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 3:54 PM
>To: Fiction_L
>Subject: Funny Library Stories
>
>Hmmm. Well that didn't come out well so will try, try again.
>
>I'm going to be on talk radio next week and have been asked by my hostess
>to
>bring some funny patron/librarian transaction stories. Well, naturally,
>since I never misunderstand exactly what my patrons are looking for (yeah,
>right) I don't have any of these stories at my fingertips. However, I was
>hoping some of you just might. Names will be changed to protect the
>innocent.
>
>Thanks all.
>
>Jane Baird
>Anchorage Municipal Libraries
>5睶.n+ࠉ˛
>mj!࠶b࠽࠽ীX*'.mbࠢypyگ*+
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
_________________________________________________________________
Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN Premium
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FROM: "Karen Traynor, Chittenango" <[removed]@midyork.org>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 1:12 PM
My mother called me at the library yesterday and said that Oprah had just announced her new Classics selection, but mom, who is an avid user of our online catalog, couldn't find any libraries that owned it. I asked her what the title was, then told her she'd probably have better luck if she looked for "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" instead of "The HAWK is a Lonely Hunter".....<smile>
Karen Traynor
Sullivan Free Library
519 McDonnell Street
Chittenango, NY 13037
FROM: "Danette Zingsheim" <[removed]@grayslake.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 1:56 PM
Recently we had two young girls asking about the history of trains, which
they thought had been invented in the 1970s.
Danette Zingsheim
Grayslake Area Public Library
100 Library Lane
Grayslake, IL 60030
847-223-5313
[removed]@grayslake.lib.il.us
----- Original Message -----
From: "Baird, Jane H." <[removed]@ci.anchorage.ak.us>
To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 5:53 PM
Subject: Funny Library Stories
> Hmmm. Well that didn't come out well so will try, try again.
>
> I'm going to be on talk radio next week and have been asked by my hostess
to bring some funny patron/librarian transaction stories. Well, naturally,
since I never misunderstand exactly what my patrons are looking for (yeah,
right) I don't have any of these stories at my fingertips. However, I was
hoping some of you just might. Names will be changed to protect the
innocent.
>
> Thanks all.
>
> Jane Baird
> Anchorage Municipal Libraries
> 5睶.n+lj˛ mj!뷶bȽ X*'.m bˢypyگ*+
FROM: Meg Sarff <[removed]@rbls.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 2:38 PM
Mary Jane Celsie wrote:
> Not sure if this one is "fit" for public radio, but here goes...A few
> years ago I did a freelance workshop on reference work, including of
> course, reference interviews, good and bad. I always asked for bad or
> funny examples, and this one stuck with me. A young man (about 18) had
> come into a particular library and asked the reference person on duty
> for information about "safes". She took a deep breath, reminded
> herself of her professional responsibility to supply the information
> without embarrassment, etc. and rabbited off looking up "birth
> control", "STDs", etc. At which point the rather startled young client
> interrupted her with, "But I meant the things you keep your money in..."
>
> Or as Gertrude Stein supposedly said on her death bed, "What is the
> answer? What is the question?"
>
> MJ
>
>
>
> Mary Jane Celsie
> Director of Service Development
> Richmond Hill Public Library
> 905-770-0310, Ext. 422
> [removed]@yahoo.ca
>
> A public library is the most enduring of memorials, the trustiest
> monument for the preservation of an event or a name or an affection;
> for it, and it only, is respected by wars and revolutions, and
> survives them.
> Mark Twain - Letter to the Millicent [Rogers] Library, 2/22/1894
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> From: "Benoun, Kathleen" <[removed]@secstate.wa.gov>
>> Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>> To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>> Subject: RE: Funny Library Stories
>> Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 16:08:46 -0700
>>
>> Jane,
>> All the situations in the library cartoon series UNSHELVED remind me of
>> funny true-life tales. Go visit www.overduemedia.com
>>
>> Kathleen Benoun
>> Western State Hospital
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Baird, Jane H. [[removed]@ci.anchorage.ak.us]
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 3:54 PM
>> To: Fiction_L
>> Subject: Funny Library Stories
>>
>> Hmmm. Well that didn't come out well so will try, try again.
>>
>> I'm going to be on talk radio next week and have been asked by my
>> hostess to
>> bring some funny patron/librarian transaction stories. Well, naturally,
>> since I never misunderstand exactly what my patrons are looking for
>> (yeah,
>> right) I don't have any of these stories at my fingertips. However, I
>> was
>> hoping some of you just might. Names will be changed to protect the
>> innocent.
>>
>> Thanks all.
>>
>> Jane Baird
>> Anchorage Municipal Libraries
>> 5睶.n+ 0:
>> mj! b ৬X*'.mb ypyگ*+
>>
>> ......................................................................
>> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>> Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN Premium
> http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglines
>
>
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
--
Meg Sarff
Customer Services Manager
Davenport Public Library
321 Main Street
Davenport, Iowa 52803-1490
(563) 328-6848
Fax (563) 326-7809
[removed]@rbls.lib.il.us
www.davenportlibrary.com
FROM: Lisa <[removed]@optonline.net>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 3:08 PM
Lisa Eickler
-------Original Message-------
From: Fiction_L
Date: 04/22/04 10:34:13 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Funny Library Stories
Story 1:
Customer came into the library last month during the height of the furor
over Mel Gibson's new movie. He asked for the book that The Passion of the
Christ was based upon. Our confident staff person said, "Oh. You mean the
Bible?"
"No," the young man said. "I want the BOOK the movie was based on."
"It was based on the Holy Bible," our staff person said, confused by what he
wanted.
The man explained. "Usually there's a novel and then they make the movie.
I'm looking for the novel."
He left completely unconvinced that there was no original novel.
Story 2:
A regular customer approached the reference desk and the Librarian asked if
she could help her with anything. "Yes," she said, "There was a guy back
there that said you have a whole book on The Righteous Brothers. It follows
them all the way back to the beginning. Do you think you could help me find
that?"
The Librarian began looking in the catalog and found only a CD and it was
checked out. She explained this to the customer. The woman then began
describing again the book she was told was here. "It's a great big book and
it covers everything about The Righteous Brothers." She explains at length
and then repeats "It goes all the way to the beginning. When they invented
the airplane."
The light bulb goes on and the Librarian takes her to the shelves and finds
her books on the Wright brothers.
Afterwards a fellow Librarian mentioned that earlier in the day the same
customer had been looking for the Warner Brothers.
Robin Deffendall
Bordeaux Branch Library
Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center
Fayetteville, NC
-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org [[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]
On Behalf Of Baird, Jane H.
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 5:54 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Funny Library Stories
Hmmm. Well that didn't come out well so will try, try again.
I'm going to be on talk radio next week and have been asked by my hostess to
bring some funny patron/librarian transaction stories. Well, naturally,
since I never misunderstand exactly what my patrons are looking for (yeah,
right) I don't have any of these stories at my fingertips. However, I was
hoping some of you just might. Names will be changed to protect the
innocent.
Thanks all.
Jane Baird
Anchorage Municipal Libraries
^y h r{ r??{j!?b? b??br? i b??y j
......................................................................
Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
FROM: Lisa <[removed]@optonline.net>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 3:08 PM
Title of the book that inspired Mel Gibson is The Dolorous Passion of Our
Lord Jesus Christ by Annie Catherine Emmerich.
Lisa Eickler
-------Original Message-------
From: Fiction_L
Date: 04/22/04 10:34:13 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Funny Library Stories
Story 1:
Customer came into the library last month during the height of the furor
over Mel Gibson's new movie. He asked for the book that The Passion of the
Christ was based upon. Our confident staff person said, "Oh. You mean the
Bible?"
"No," the young man said. "I want the BOOK the movie was based on."
"It was based on the Holy Bible," our staff person said, confused by what he
wanted.
The man explained. "Usually there's a novel and then they make the movie.
I'm looking for the novel."
He left completely unconvinced that there was no original novel.
Story 2:
A regular customer approached the reference desk and the Librarian asked if
she could help her with anything. "Yes," she said, "There was a guy back
there that said you have a whole book on The Righteous Brothers. It follows
them all the way back to the beginning. Do you think you could help me find
that?"
The Librarian began looking in the catalog and found only a CD and it was
checked out. She explained this to the customer. The woman then began
describing again the book she was told was here. "It's a great big book and
it covers everything about The Righteous Brothers." She explains at length
and then repeats "It goes all the way to the beginning. When they invented
the airplane."
The light bulb goes on and the Librarian takes her to the shelves and finds
her books on the Wright brothers.
Afterwards a fellow Librarian mentioned that earlier in the day the same
customer had been looking for the Warner Brothers.
Robin Deffendall
Bordeaux Branch Library
Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center
Fayetteville, NC
-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org [[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]
On Behalf Of Baird, Jane H.
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 5:54 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Funny Library Stories
Hmmm. Well that didn't come out well so will try, try again.
I'm going to be on talk radio next week and have been asked by my hostess to
bring some funny patron/librarian transaction stories. Well, naturally,
since I never misunderstand exactly what my patrons are looking for (yeah,
right) I don't have any of these stories at my fingertips. However, I was
hoping some of you just might. Names will be changed to protect the
innocent.
Thanks all.
Jane Baird
Anchorage Municipal Libraries
^y h r{ r??{j!?b? b??br? i b??y j
......................................................................
Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
FROM: Lisa Sheffield <[removed]@transylvania.lib.nc.us>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 3:24 PM
Suzy asked him to describe what he was looking for.. and turns out he
wanted a picture of a --Dirigible!
Still funny after all these years....
Lisa
Lisa Sheffield
Adult Services Librarian
Transylvania County Library
105 S. Broad St.
Brevard, NC 28712
828-884-3151
Opinions expressed are my own.
-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org [[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]
On Behalf Of Meg Sarff
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2004 3:32 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Funny Library Stories
And my favorite, the man who wanted books on UNIX. The reference
librarian was taking him to the computer books when he added, "You know,
those guys who guard the harem." [eunuchs]
Meg
Mary Jane Celsie wrote:
> Not sure if this one is "fit" for public radio, but here goes...A few
> years ago I did a freelance workshop on reference work, including of
> course, reference interviews, good and bad. I always asked for bad or
> funny examples, and this one stuck with me. A young man (about 18) had
> come into a particular library and asked the reference person on duty
> for information about "safes". She took a deep breath, reminded
> herself of her professional responsibility to supply the information
> without embarrassment, etc. and rabbited off looking up "birth
> control", "STDs", etc. At which point the rather startled young client
> interrupted her with, "But I meant the things you keep your money in..."
>
> Or as Gertrude Stein supposedly said on her death bed, "What is the
> answer? What is the question?"
>
> MJ
>
>
>
> Mary Jane Celsie
> Director of Service Development
> Richmond Hill Public Library
> 905-770-0310, Ext. 422
> [removed]@yahoo.ca
>
> A public library is the most enduring of memorials, the trustiest
> monument for the preservation of an event or a name or an affection;
> for it, and it only, is respected by wars and revolutions, and
> survives them.
> Mark Twain - Letter to the Millicent [Rogers] Library, 2/22/1894
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> From: "Benoun, Kathleen" <[removed]@secstate.wa.gov>
>> Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>> To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>> Subject: RE: Funny Library Stories
>> Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 16:08:46 -0700
>>
>> Jane,
>> All the situations in the library cartoon series UNSHELVED remind me of
>> funny true-life tales. Go visit www.overduemedia.com
>>
>> Kathleen Benoun
>> Western State Hospital
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Baird, Jane H. [[removed]@ci.anchorage.ak.us]
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 3:54 PM
>> To: Fiction_L
>> Subject: Funny Library Stories
>>
>> Hmmm. Well that didn't come out well so will try, try again.
>>
>> I'm going to be on talk radio next week and have been asked by my
>> hostess to
>> bring some funny patron/librarian transaction stories. Well, naturally,
>> since I never misunderstand exactly what my patrons are looking for
>> (yeah,
>> right) I don't have any of these stories at my fingertips. However, I
>> was
>> hoping some of you just might. Names will be changed to protect the
>> innocent.
>>
>> Thanks all.
>>
>> Jane Baird
>> Anchorage Municipal Libraries
>> 5睶.n+ 0:
>> mj! b ৬X*'.mb ypyگ*+
>>
>> ......................................................................
>> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>> Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN Premium
>
http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=htt
p://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglines
>
>
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
--
Meg Sarff
Customer Services Manager
Davenport Public Library
321 Main Street
Davenport, Iowa 52803-1490
(563) 328-6848
Fax (563) 326-7809
[removed]@rbls.lib.il.us
www.davenportlibrary.com
FROM: "Sarah Nagle" <[removed]@carverlib.org>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 3:29 PM
Sarah Nagle
Branch Manager and Reference Coordinator
Carver County Library - Chaska Branch
3 City Hall Plaza
Chaska, MN 55318
email [removed]@carverlib.org
Phone: 952-227-7615
Fax: 952-279-5216
FROM: creid <[removed]@ccpl.lib.oh.us>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 3:35 PM
I once had a man come into the bookstore and ask me if I knew who wrote the
Complete Works of Shakespeare!?!
Also, one time an sweet, grandmotherly-type woman came into the store and
asked to see some romance books. I showed her some things like Janet Dailey,
Grace Livingston Hill, etc. She kindly placed her hand on my arm and said,
"No, honey, I'm looking for something where they get laid on the first page."
YIKES!! Just shows you should never pre-judge what a customer/patron wants!!
Cathy Reid
Clark County Public Library
Springfield, OH
FROM: "Jean Meadors" <[removed]@ccpl.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 3:35 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Meg Sarff
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2004 2:32 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Funny Library Stories
And my favorite, the man who wanted books on UNIX. The reference
librarian was taking him to the computer books when he added, "You know,
those guys who guard the harem." [eunuchs]
Meg
Mary Jane Celsie wrote:
> Not sure if this one is "fit" for public radio, but here goes...A few
> years ago I did a freelance workshop on reference work, including of
> course, reference interviews, good and bad. I always asked for bad or
> funny examples, and this one stuck with me. A young man (about 18) had
> come into a particular library and asked the reference person on duty
> for information about "safes". She took a deep breath, reminded
> herself of her professional responsibility to supply the information
> without embarrassment, etc. and rabbited off looking up "birth
> control", "STDs", etc. At which point the rather startled young client
> interrupted her with, "But I meant the things you keep your money in..."
>
> Or as Gertrude Stein supposedly said on her death bed, "What is the
> answer? What is the question?"
>
> MJ
>
>
>
> Mary Jane Celsie
> Director of Service Development
> Richmond Hill Public Library
> 905-770-0310, Ext. 422
> [removed]@yahoo.ca
>
> A public library is the most enduring of memorials, the trustiest
> monument for the preservation of an event or a name or an affection;
> for it, and it only, is respected by wars and revolutions, and
> survives them.
> Mark Twain - Letter to the Millicent [Rogers] Library, 2/22/1894
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> From: "Benoun, Kathleen" <[removed]@secstate.wa.gov>
>> Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>> To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>> Subject: RE: Funny Library Stories
>> Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 16:08:46 -0700
>>
>> Jane,
>> All the situations in the library cartoon series UNSHELVED remind me of
>> funny true-life tales. Go visit www.overduemedia.com
>>
>> Kathleen Benoun
>> Western State Hospital
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Baird, Jane H. [[removed]@ci.anchorage.ak.us]
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 3:54 PM
>> To: Fiction_L
>> Subject: Funny Library Stories
>>
>> Hmmm. Well that didn't come out well so will try, try again.
>>
>> I'm going to be on talk radio next week and have been asked by my
>> hostess to
>> bring some funny patron/librarian transaction stories. Well, naturally,
>> since I never misunderstand exactly what my patrons are looking for
>> (yeah,
>> right) I don't have any of these stories at my fingertips. However, I
>> was
>> hoping some of you just might. Names will be changed to protect the
>> innocent.
>>
>> Thanks all.
>>
>> Jane Baird
>> Anchorage Municipal Libraries
>> 5睶.n+ 0:
>> mj! b ৬X*'.mb ypyگ*+
>>
>> ......................................................................
>> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>> Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN Premium
>
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>
>
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
--
Meg Sarff
Customer Services Manager
Davenport Public Library
321 Main Street
Davenport, Iowa 52803-1490
(563) 328-6848
Fax (563) 326-7809
[removed]@rbls.lib.il.us
www.davenportlibrary.com
FROM: "Dusty Gres" <[removed]@mail.toombs.public.lib.ga.us>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 3:35 PM
Dusty Gres, Director
Ohoopee Regional Library System
Hdq: Vidalia-Toombs County Library
610 Jackson Street
Vidalia, GA 30474
PH: (912) 537-9283
FAX: (912) 537-3735
EMAIL: [removed]@mail.toombs.public.lib.ga.us
WEB: http://www.toombs.public.lib.ga.us
-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Lisa Sheffield
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2004 4:07 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Funny Library Stories
Our children's librarian had a parent who asked for a picture of a gerbil --
Suzy pulled out the usual books with pictures of rodents, etc... The man had
a baffled look and said no -- I mean a gerbil....
Suzy asked him to describe what he was looking for.. and turns out he
wanted a picture of a --Dirigible!
Still funny after all these years....
Lisa
Lisa Sheffield
Adult Services Librarian
Transylvania County Library
105 S. Broad St.
Brevard, NC 28712
828-884-3151
Opinions expressed are my own.
-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org [[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]
On Behalf Of Meg Sarff
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2004 3:32 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Funny Library Stories
And my favorite, the man who wanted books on UNIX. The reference
librarian was taking him to the computer books when he added, "You know,
those guys who guard the harem." [eunuchs]
Meg
Mary Jane Celsie wrote:
> Not sure if this one is "fit" for public radio, but here goes...A few
> years ago I did a freelance workshop on reference work, including of
> course, reference interviews, good and bad. I always asked for bad or
> funny examples, and this one stuck with me. A young man (about 18) had
> come into a particular library and asked the reference person on duty
> for information about "safes". She took a deep breath, reminded
> herself of her professional responsibility to supply the information
> without embarrassment, etc. and rabbited off looking up "birth
> control", "STDs", etc. At which point the rather startled young client
> interrupted her with, "But I meant the things you keep your money in..."
>
> Or as Gertrude Stein supposedly said on her death bed, "What is the
> answer? What is the question?"
>
> MJ
>
>
>
> Mary Jane Celsie
> Director of Service Development
> Richmond Hill Public Library
> 905-770-0310, Ext. 422
> [removed]@yahoo.ca
>
> A public library is the most enduring of memorials, the trustiest
> monument for the preservation of an event or a name or an affection;
> for it, and it only, is respected by wars and revolutions, and
> survives them.
> Mark Twain - Letter to the Millicent [Rogers] Library, 2/22/1894
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> From: "Benoun, Kathleen" <[removed]@secstate.wa.gov>
>> Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>> To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>> Subject: RE: Funny Library Stories
>> Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 16:08:46 -0700
>>
>> Jane,
>> All the situations in the library cartoon series UNSHELVED remind me of
>> funny true-life tales. Go visit www.overduemedia.com
>>
>> Kathleen Benoun
>> Western State Hospital
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Baird, Jane H. [[removed]@ci.anchorage.ak.us]
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 3:54 PM
>> To: Fiction_L
>> Subject: Funny Library Stories
>>
>> Hmmm. Well that didn't come out well so will try, try again.
>>
>> I'm going to be on talk radio next week and have been asked by my
>> hostess to
>> bring some funny patron/librarian transaction stories. Well, naturally,
>> since I never misunderstand exactly what my patrons are looking for
>> (yeah,
>> right) I don't have any of these stories at my fingertips. However, I
>> was
>> hoping some of you just might. Names will be changed to protect the
>> innocent.
>>
>> Thanks all.
>>
>> Jane Baird
>> Anchorage Municipal Libraries
>> 5睶.n+ 0:
>> mj! b ৬X*'.mb ypyگ*+
>>
>> ......................................................................
>> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>> Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN Premium
>
http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=htt
p://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglines
>
>
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
--
Meg Sarff
Customer Services Manager
Davenport Public Library
321 Main Street
Davenport, Iowa 52803-1490
(563) 328-6848
Fax (563) 326-7809
[removed]@rbls.lib.il.us
www.davenportlibrary.com
FROM: Meg Sarff <[removed]@rbls.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 4/22/04, 4:27 PM
creid wrote:
>These are from my bookstore day, so not really library stories.
>
>I once had a man come into the bookstore and ask me if I knew who wrote the
>Complete Works of Shakespeare!?!
>
>Also, one time an sweet, grandmotherly-type woman came into the store and
>asked to see some romance books. I showed her some things like Janet Dailey,
>Grace Livingston Hill, etc. She kindly placed her hand on my arm and said,
>"No, honey, I'm looking for something where they get laid on the first page."
>YIKES!! Just shows you should never pre-judge what a customer/patron wants!!
>
>Cathy Reid
>Clark County Public Library
>Springfield, OH
>
>
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
>
>
--
Meg Sarff
Customer Services Manager
Davenport Public Library
321 Main Street
Davenport, Iowa 52803-1490
(563) 328-6848
Fax (563) 326-7809
[removed]@rbls.lib.il.us
www.davenportlibrary.com
FROM: [removed]@bloglines.com
REC'D: 4/22/04, 6:58 PM
Well, she looked and looked but couldn't find it, but she did
turn up something called "Ain't She Sweet", and she asked the patron if that
might be the title.
The lady replied, "Well, yes, it is, but I never say
that word."
:)
Rose
--- Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org
wrote:
Yes, we also had a tiny little old lady return some steamy romances
> once, exclaiming "There's so much sex in these books! They're just
>
filthy! --- Where can I find more of them to read?"
>
FROM: Curt Heuer <[removed]@centurytel.net>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 7:30 AM
Jeanne Heuer
Brown County Library
On Thursday, April 22, 2004, at 09:33 AM, Robin Deffendall wrote:
> Story 1:
>
> Customer came into the library last month during the height of the
> furor
> over Mel Gibson's new movie. He asked for the book that The Passion of
> the
> Christ was based upon. Our confident staff person said, "Oh. You mean
> the
> Bible?"
>
> "No," the young man said. "I want the BOOK the movie was based on."
>
> "It was based on the Holy Bible," our staff person said, confused by
> what he
> wanted.
>
> The man explained. "Usually there's a novel and then they make the
> movie.
> I'm looking for the novel."
>
> He left completely unconvinced that there was no original novel.
>
>
> Story 2:
>
> A regular customer approached the reference desk and the Librarian
> asked if
> she could help her with anything. "Yes," she said, "There was a guy
> back
> there that said you have a whole book on The Righteous Brothers. It
> follows
> them all the way back to the beginning. Do you think you could help me
> find
> that?"
>
> The Librarian began looking in the catalog and found only a CD and it
> was
> checked out. She explained this to the customer. The woman then began
> describing again the book she was told was here. "It's a great big
> book and
> it covers everything about The Righteous Brothers." She explains at
> length
> and then repeats "It goes all the way to the beginning. When they
> invented
> the airplane."
>
> The light bulb goes on and the Librarian takes her to the shelves and
> finds
> her books on the Wright brothers.
>
> Afterwards a fellow Librarian mentioned that earlier in the day the
> same
> customer had been looking for the Warner Brothers.
>
>
>
> Robin Deffendall
> Bordeaux Branch Library
> Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center
> Fayetteville, NC
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
> [[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]
> On Behalf Of Baird, Jane H.
> Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 5:54 PM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: Funny Library Stories
>
> Hmmm. Well that didn't come out well so will try, try again.
>
> I'm going to be on talk radio next week and have been asked by my
> hostess to
> bring some funny patron/librarian transaction stories. Well,
> naturally,
> since I never misunderstand exactly what my patrons are looking for
> (yeah,
> right) I don't have any of these stories at my fingertips. However, I
> was
> hoping some of you just might. Names will be changed to protect the
> innocent.
>
> Thanks all.
>
> Jane Baird
> Anchorage Municipal Libraries
> ^y h r{ r??{j!?b? b??br? i b??y j
>
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
FROM: Anne Frontino <[removed]@camden.lib.nj.us>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 8:32 AM
Anne Frontino
Haddonfield Public Library
Haddonfield NJ
FROM: Jill Gates <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 8:38 AM
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Photos: High-quality 4x6 digital prints for 25
http://photos.yahoo.com/ph/print_splash
FROM: Laura Pearle <[removed]@pcs-nyc.org>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 9:46 AM
Laura Pearle
Head Librarian
Gladys Brooks Library
Professional Children's School
[removed]@pcs-nyc.org
"I must judge for myself, but how can I judge, how can any man judge,
unless his mind has been opened and enlarged by reading?"- John Adams
FROM: Jaffe <[removed]@suffolk.lib.ny.us>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 11:00 AM
Karen Jaffe
Comsewogue Public Library
FROM: "K. Smith" <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 11:57 AM
One dark and stormy night, a customer approached the
Info Desk and said, "I'm trying to find 'A Red
Umbrella.'" Well, I had to take a second as Anita
Diamant's "The Red Tent" came to mind, before I
realized she was looking for an actual umbrella.
However, my co-worker did not make the same leap of
logic, and as I bend down to check the lost and found,
I hear her typing in Red Umbrella into the computer.
The second story happened to a co-worker of mine. He
was manning the desk when a customer came up and said
she was looking for a book called "Mind Camp." He
couldn't find anything in stock or in print under that
title, so he asked her who the author was. It was only
after the woman replied, "Hitler," that he realized
she was looking for "Mein Kampf."
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Photos: High-quality 4x6 digital prints for 25
http://photos.yahoo.com/ph/print_splash
FROM: "Ellen Brodsky" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 12:18 PM
Somehow, that took us into a pornographic pop-up with VERY graphic, and very
large photos. The kind of photos we have ejected patrons for looking at.
We laughed at first but then we realized we could not get rid of it. We
closed the screen only to find that anotherr large, graphic photo popped up
to take its place. Neither of us was a computer expert and we were so
stunned, we didn't know how to get rid of it. We kept closing out the site
only to have another one pop open. This was at the reference desk where the
computer screen is purposely visible to patrons. When the patrons told us
they accidentally stumbled into porn sites, we were always skeptical. Who
was going to believe us, working without our supervisor, shortly before
closing?
We tried alt/control/delete but for some reason, that didn't work either.
Finally, we just hit the power button, even though we're not supposed to.
We were certain that the mayor or a town councilor would take that moment to
show up and schmooze with the evacuees. Fortunately, that didn't happen.
We never told our supervisor but we are more believing when a patron tells
us he or she stumbled on pornography by mistake. And by the way, our
computers DO have filters. Go figure.
Ellen Brodsky
Public Services Librarian
Taos Public Library
Taos, NM
_________________________________________________________________
Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee
Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963
FROM: [removed]@bloglines.com
REC'D: 4/23/04, 1:20 PM
*pause*
(emphasis)"You mean Macbeth?"
"Yeah! That's it!"
*sigh*
:)
Rose
--- Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org wrote:
>
> The second story happened to a co-worker of mine. He
> was manning
the desk when a customer came up and said
> she was looking for a book called
"Mind Camp." He
> couldn't find anything in stock or in print under that
> title, so he asked her who the author was. It was only
> after the woman
replied, "Hitler," that he realized
> she was looking for "Mein Kampf."
>
FROM: Kate Kehoe <[removed]@umich.edu>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 1:37 PM
Kate
FROM: "Suzanne T. LaRue" <[removed]@dclibraries.org>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 2:46 PM
There was a nice-looking young guy who'd been working on one of our word
processing computers for a couple of hours. He came up to the reference
desk, gave me a big smile, and said, "Let's say you and I have a great
rapport."
I'm 48, no beauty, not stylish (I use my own clothes at Halloween to
dress up as a "librarian), happily married, but I thought, hey, I'll go
along with this. That was the best opening line I'd ever heard.
"Ok" I said, returning the big smile.
"How would you spell that?"
FROM: "Judith Rossa" <[removed]@brdgprtpl.lib.ct.us>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 3:02 PM
5睶.n+˛mj!bX*'.m߉bypyگ*+
FROM: "Mary Clemens" <[removed]@3gcs.com>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 9:09 PM
My most embarrassing was when a father and his son (dressed in
soccer clothes) asked for a book on the Chicago Fire and I responded
that I didn't know if we had any books on that. They of course were
referring to THE CHICAGO FIRE. All I could think of was our local
soccer team known by the same name.
Mary Clemens
Children's Librarian
[removed]@cslibrary.org
Carol Stream Public Library
616 Hiawatha Drive
Carol Stream, IL 60188
630.653.0755
FROM: Bev Preston <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 4/24/04, 10:35 AM
1. Patron who called and asked "Who were the 10 most famous undertakers in
history?" It sort of boggles the mind to think what an undertaker
would have to do to get famous. (mind you, this was YEARS before "Six Feet
Under").
2. Patron who called and asked me to identify a snake. I got our ref. book
which is arranged so you can go from question to question and usually
identify a snake even on the phone. I started through the list and after
answering several questions the woman said impatiently, "Could you hurry
this up? It's in my back yard and my husband is letting my 2-year old girl
play with it."
There was a short silence while my heart turned over. Here in Florda we
have copperheads, moccasins, rattlesnakes and coral smakes, all poisonous.
"I said, Ma'am -- please put down the phone and go and get your little girl
away from the snake RIGHT NOW. I'll wait and we can firgure out what it is,
later..."
Grumbling that she only wanted to know what it was, she went. No wonder
they have the annual Darwin awards.
Carol Hole
Alachua County Library District
Gainesville, FL
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us
FROM: "Ann Jarvis" <[removed]@vlc.lib.mi.us>
REC'D: 4/26/04, 5:24 PM
My two patrons were disappointed.
Ann Jarvis
Grace A Dow memorial Library
Midland MI
---- Original Message ----
From: [removed]@secstate.wa.gov
To: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
Subject: RE: Funny Library Stories
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 16:08:46 -0700
>Jane,
>All the situations in the library cartoon series UNSHELVED remind me
>of
>funny true-life tales. Go visit www.overduemedia.com
>
>Kathleen Benoun
>Western State Hospital
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Baird, Jane H. [[removed]@ci.anchorage.ak.us]
>Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 3:54 PM
>To: Fiction_L
>Subject: Funny Library Stories
>
>Hmmm. Well that didn't come out well so will try, try again.
>
>I'm going to be on talk radio next week and have been asked by my
>hostess to
>bring some funny patron/librarian transaction stories. Well,
>naturally,
>since I never misunderstand exactly what my patrons are looking for
>(yeah,
>right) I don't have any of these stories at my fingertips. However,
>I was
>hoping some of you just might. Names will be changed to protect the
>innocent.
>
>Thanks all.
>
>Jane Baird
>Anchorage Municipal Libraries
>5?.n+??
>mj!?b???X*'.mb?ypy?*+
>
>.....................................................................
>.
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
FROM: "Kay Kelly" <[removed]@mplonline.org>
REC'D: 4/26/04, 8:43 PM
FROM: Kaite Mediatore <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 4/27/04, 3:56 PM
I had a patron (with a very thick Southern accent) ask
me for a piece of music. She asked for "Dance
Mackabeers" I had no idea what that was and after a
few minutes of polite questioning in which the patron
became disgusted with my stupidity and I became
frustrated at not finding what she wanted she yelled
"Dance Mackabeers by Cameel Saynt Saynt!" Only then
did I realize she wanted Danse Macabres by Camille
Saint-Saens.
Later that week my assistant was asked, "Do you have a
drama?" To which she replied, "Every day!"
=====
Kaite Mediatore, Reader's Services Librarian
KCKPL Main Library
625 Minnesota Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66101
913.279.2067 fx: 913.279.2032
[removed]@kckpl.lib.ks.us
Opinions are all mine yet freely dispersed.
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at Yahoo! HotJobs
http://hotjobs.sweepstakes.yahoo.com/careermakeover
FROM: "Baird, Jane H." <[removed]@ci.anchorage.ak.us>
REC'D: 4/29/04, 7:41 PM
Jane Baird
Anchorage Municipal Libraries
FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 4/30/04, 2:26 AM
Tale # 1:
A little boy came to the reference desk. He seemed to be about 10, and had a
pair of tied together sneakers dangling over his shoulder. I asked him what I
could do for him. He told me that he wanted to know how to extract DNA from
the chloroplast of a tobacco leaf. [My blood ran cold!] I resorted to my
training in question negotiation. Where did you find out about this? From
something my daddy was reading. What was Daddy reading? Scientific American. I
took my young patron down to serials, found the latest unbound issue. In the
second one I picked up - voila! [Yea!]
Tale # 2
A science professor (Chemistry) brought a graduate student to the library.
The student handed me a photocopy request. (At that time, they filtered
through the reference dept.) The citation: p.1248, This Journal. I asked him which
journal. He replied again, "This journal." [I felt as if I were trapped in
a kind "Who's on First?"] Ever patient, I asked him where he'd found the
citation. He handed me a bound chemistry magazine. At the bottom of the page was
a footnote: See page 1248, this journal.
Duh.
Tale # 3:
An English professor called me at the reference desk. His Q: How did Sylvia
Plath died?
Off the top of my head, I replied: She stuck her head in the oven. Then I
researched Sylvia Plath. She did indeed stick her head in the oven.
Binnie Syril Braunstein
Romance novelist/former librarian
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