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September 20, 2006
The Library's a Busy Place
As you know, the library is a busy place. People come here for various reasons -- not only to check out or return materials, but to use computers, do research, study, attend programs, get something notarized, see our career counselor, and to make copies. Librarians and library staff are here to help with almost every library need. There are a few things that the library provides, but does not provide support for -- the pay phone, for example. If there is something wrong with the pay phone, we would post an "out of order" sign on it, and make a phone call to have it repaired. With the copy machine, I open the door, turn a few levers and try to get it to work when it jams. My expertise in this capacity is limited though. Unfortunately, the copy machines are used way more frequently than the pay phones, misfeed frequently and reside directly beside the Reference Desk. So... we are constantly being asked for help with the machines. Now, I am very willing to help, and I know how to make a straight copy. But, spatial relations are not my very best thing, so it is trial and error regarding reducing and enlarging.
A woman came in yesterday and wanted to enlarge a tiny picture on a handout given to her by a professor. The picture was of the internal organs of a person. I led the woman to the machine and showed her how to enlarge. The picture started out so tiny that it took her several tries and it still wasn't quite right. I told her that we have many medical and anatomy books available and the information would be the same -- presumably our internal organs don't change from publisher to publisher... but she insisted that this one came from her professor and she would stick with it. Okey-doke.
It's funny. I consider myself to be quite good with technology, but there are certain things that are just beyond me. We provide the copy machines as a service to the community, but I consider them a necessary evil!
Posted by Michele at September 20, 2006 12:32 PM
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