I'm working the reference desk tonight when a man comes up and asks me to print out an article for him from a link he printed off a webpage. Okay, no problem. That is until the link turns out to be broken. In fact all of the links from this webpage are broken. I then realize that the webpage is about conspiracy theories and the subject he's interested in is ...mind control.
OH CRAP.
Another unstable patron.
Because, that's just what I ordered.
Yup, one unstable patron with a side of crazy.
First it starts with the paranormal, with a side of mind control, and Eldon Byrd - a scientist that worked on weapon systems for the U.S in the late 60's and 70's. After I find whatever I can on those subjects Mr. Conspiracy starts spiraling into fragmented obscurity and it just gets worse. I just can't win. Mr. Conspiracy now wants schematics and instructions on how to create his own bio-electromagnetic weapon.
I mean REALLY.
But wait it gets better...
Then asks me to check to see if he could pick-up or order a bio-electromagnetic weapon at his local Radioshack.
Why.
Why me.
It's my Friday!
Oh for Goodness sake!
Then Mr. Conspiracy wants articles on how radio waves affect the brain and subliminal warfare.
It's just too creepy.
And the weirdness just keeps coming.
The entire time this guy is at the Reference desk he keeps fanning himself lazily with one of the free publications we give out (although it's like 68 degrees in the building). Every once in a while he'll slap the publication down on the reference desk like he's the feurer addressing Nazi Germany during WWII. He's also got red rimmed eyes that make me want to bathe in disenfectant in case he's got a case of pink eye. Arghh..... I directed him to our science section in the 500's and that's kept him busy for a while but like Salmon wanting to spawn he would regularly fight his way back up to the reference desk for more information on his...quest for what? World Domination? Yuk.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Fraud and the Evil Library User
Fraud (frôd) n.
1. A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain.
2. A piece of trickery; a trick.
3. One that defrauds; a cheat.
4. One who assumes a false pose; an impostor.
The library system has inplemented a new system that makes getting a library card even more convienent. How so? The masses can now apply for library cards online!
Oh yes!
Online!
Often times I am unreceptive to change and negative in the face of impending change. I often violently express my feelings and opinions to my B.M.
It's a failing.
I know.
I should be a mindless happy worker bee, a yes girl, a stepford librarian, or at least a weary seen-it-all librarian beaten down by "The Man".
I have to wonder what management is thinking. Do they just think up an idea and implement it - just because? How much planning and forethought go into an idea before they just decide to implement it. I just find it odd that management has seen fit to allow the unwashed masses to apply for a card online, place books and other material on reserve online, allow patrons to pay for fines/fees online
and yet,
has not implemented the ability
to pay fines and fees with a debit/credit card
or
have wireless access in a majority of the branches.
At least not at our branch. There are times when I think the library system is the physical embodiment of the term oxymoron.
Is it just me?
This whole online library card business is no exception.
Okay,
Okay,
In theory the whole concept of"applying" for a library card online seems innovative and kind of cool. If you live in a crazy land. I mean come on. Drawbacks people.
Drawback #1 - Management is notorious for not informing the staff regarding new proceedures or when it implements new policies. (it's never a good thing when patron's know more about what's going on than staff )
Drawback #2 - The online process does not make clear that library staff will need to see identification with address verification. Big Fat Library Administration Stupid Heads!
We've already had a patron in tears over this one! Staff had to be the bad guys and say no, you can't get a card because you don't have the proper I.D.
Drawback #3 - Online card registration makes it easy for people to commit fraud. 'Cause you can apply as Abe Lincoln if'n you want.
It's already started... We had a regular patron create a library account online. She used her name and tried to use her son's California I.D. number. She already has two cards with a combined overdue fine of $120.00! She's also abused her son's libray card. How not cool is that? If she had not been helped by a staff member who remembered that she already had a card with us - with massive overdue fines she would have gotten away with it! Call me jaded. But it's just wrong. She's already committed identity theft and attempted to commit fraud. People go to jail for fraud and identity theft but you know we will never hold her accountable.
Evil Library User.
1. A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain.
2. A piece of trickery; a trick.
3. One that defrauds; a cheat.
4. One who assumes a false pose; an impostor.
The library system has inplemented a new system that makes getting a library card even more convienent. How so? The masses can now apply for library cards online!
Oh yes!
Online!
Often times I am unreceptive to change and negative in the face of impending change. I often violently express my feelings and opinions to my B.M.
It's a failing.
I know.
I should be a mindless happy worker bee, a yes girl, a stepford librarian, or at least a weary seen-it-all librarian beaten down by "The Man".
I have to wonder what management is thinking. Do they just think up an idea and implement it - just because? How much planning and forethought go into an idea before they just decide to implement it. I just find it odd that management has seen fit to allow the unwashed masses to apply for a card online, place books and other material on reserve online, allow patrons to pay for fines/fees online
and yet,
has not implemented the ability
to pay fines and fees with a debit/credit card
or
have wireless access in a majority of the branches.
At least not at our branch. There are times when I think the library system is the physical embodiment of the term oxymoron.
Is it just me?
This whole online library card business is no exception.
Okay,
Okay,
In theory the whole concept of"applying" for a library card online seems innovative and kind of cool. If you live in a crazy land. I mean come on. Drawbacks people.
Drawback #1 - Management is notorious for not informing the staff regarding new proceedures or when it implements new policies. (it's never a good thing when patron's know more about what's going on than staff )
Drawback #2 - The online process does not make clear that library staff will need to see identification with address verification. Big Fat Library Administration Stupid Heads!
We've already had a patron in tears over this one! Staff had to be the bad guys and say no, you can't get a card because you don't have the proper I.D.
Drawback #3 - Online card registration makes it easy for people to commit fraud. 'Cause you can apply as Abe Lincoln if'n you want.
It's already started... We had a regular patron create a library account online. She used her name and tried to use her son's California I.D. number. She already has two cards with a combined overdue fine of $120.00! She's also abused her son's libray card. How not cool is that? If she had not been helped by a staff member who remembered that she already had a card with us - with massive overdue fines she would have gotten away with it! Call me jaded. But it's just wrong. She's already committed identity theft and attempted to commit fraud. People go to jail for fraud and identity theft but you know we will never hold her accountable.
Evil Library User.
Monday, October 26, 2009
A Library is not Staples.....
Cry me a freakin' river.
It drives me absolutely bonkers when Patrons expect us to open up our supply cabnets for office supplies.
Arghhh... Another patron came in expecting us to provide a folder for her offspring's report. What does this say about the public ability to be prepared? I am constantly suprised when someone gets into a car without their Driver's License, or when they walk into the building with out their library card. As for this patron in particular, I let her beg a folder off the Branch Manager. He can say yea or nay about whether of not it's appropriate to give away our library system's supplies to the public. My generocity stops at paper clips, use of our 3 ring hole punch, use of our stapler, pencils and tape. I mean when is enough...well enough? Do they want us to open up a vein or what?
I so need a vacation...
It drives me absolutely bonkers when Patrons expect us to open up our supply cabnets for office supplies.
Arghhh... Another patron came in expecting us to provide a folder for her offspring's report. What does this say about the public ability to be prepared? I am constantly suprised when someone gets into a car without their Driver's License, or when they walk into the building with out their library card. As for this patron in particular, I let her beg a folder off the Branch Manager. He can say yea or nay about whether of not it's appropriate to give away our library system's supplies to the public. My generocity stops at paper clips, use of our 3 ring hole punch, use of our stapler, pencils and tape. I mean when is enough...well enough? Do they want us to open up a vein or what?
I so need a vacation...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Kentucky Cell Phone Triangle
It's amazing what intensely personal things people will store on their cell phones and other electronic devices. One Thursday evening I was helping someone on the reference desk when out of the blue someone's cell phone rings right next to me. I jumped and located a nondescript cell phone and shut if off so as not to disturb the other patrons. Oh yes, someone has lost yet another cell phone in the library. You'd be amazed at how many of the things are left in public places. I am more amazed at how many people don't seem to make finding their lost cell phones a priority. Now if I was the person who lost this particular cell phone I'd be frantic to get it back. I'd like to think that we go the extra mile to return someone's lost property. This cell phone was no different. I asked one of our pages to try and contact the owner of the cell phone and get it back to them as she is the most technologically advanced texter I know. She turns on the cell phone and is not able to find any contacts with any names attached to any of them. So she checks out the pictures and text portion of the cell phone and finds a plethera of....porn. Yup, you bet Porn with a capitol P. With plenty of pictures of women of every shape and size ( and I do mean every shape and every size ) with out a stitch on sometimes doing extremely intimate...acts and sometimes with...O.O.U.S's or objects of unusual size. Then she discovered the videos...with...sound. I mean it's somehow worse with sound. Especially with your male Branch Manager standing behind you looking over your shoulder. Our B.M. ended up calling one of the numbers on the recent call list and someone picked up from Kentucky. I guess this guy knew the owner of the cell phone o' porn only as "Raggedy Ass". The Kentucky Cohort also knew the name and number of "Raggedy Ass's" favorite hang out. Go figure. The Kentucky Cohort called the local hang out and the guy ended up being a regular patron we see here a lot which freaked us out. You just never know. Who's the closet transvestite, Pedophile or dirty old man - and most of the time ignorance is truly bliss...
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