Me Likey (or Not)

It looks like I'm on an etiquette kick this month because lo and behold, I have another etiquette thing to talk about.  Maybe with the holidays around the corner, it's a good thing to pay attention to the little annoying things we may do unknowingly in order to promote peace on earth and goodwill to all men (and women).

E-mailing and especially texting have greatly impacted our writing skills and even our speaking abilities, and I can't say for the better.  Sure, it's convenient and time-saving to abbreviate messages like, "r u ok?" or "btw im @ ur bro's pl."  I admit that I've also adopted the new shorthand of today.  However, when I write formal letters (believe it or not, I actually do sometimes), I use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.  And when I speak to someone in person or over the phone, I actually use complete sentences.

You'd be surprised to know how many people come up to the perch and say (or more often grunt) "computer" rather than "Could I have a computer pass, please?"  My co-workers and I are somewhat grateful that we comprehend that "computer" means that the patron wants to use one of our computers.  Who knows, though?  Maybe one day we'll get a shock and discover that "computer" means something else entirely.

Unless you happen to experience a sudden shortness of breath, it's actually nice to hear people communicate to us in correct English.  Perhaps working with books and words all day have turned me and my co-workers into fuddy duddy keepers of the language, but it would be encouraging to know that technology hasn't caused us to become lazy with our words.

Guarding grammar at the perch.

Phones and Library Etiquette

Needless to say, the cell phone is now a way of life.  Most people (including myself) have them and use them everywhere: the store, the restaurant, the park, and the library.  Yes, even the library, that temple of quiet and shushness has been impacted by the ringtones of Linkin Park and Taylor Swift, not to mention the conversations that follow.  Although I can understand the need to be reachable, what I can't understand is the rudeness that sometimes comes with cell phone use.

Rudeness Feature #1:  People talking loudly.

Alright.  You're waiting for an important phone call while you're in the library.  You finally get that call and take it, but what do you do?  You talk so loudly in the computer lab that you are disturbing others who are trying to work; you're oblivious to the people around you as well as the signs that ask you to turn off your cell phone.  Sometimes, I can clearly hear on the perch every word of a phone conversation taking place clear across the library.

Etiquette Fix--Please talk quietly or even better, take your phone call in an empty study room or outside the library so you do not disturb fellow patrons.

Rudeness Feature #2:  Talking on the phone when you're checking items in or out.

The other day, a patron comes in with a stack of DVDs to the perch.  She's talking on the phone.  She places the DVDs in front of me and waits (she's still talking on the phone).  I wait for her to pause her conversation and tell me what she wants me to do.  Finally, she tells me that she's returning the DVDs.  As I check the items back in, she continues her conversation while looking for more DVDs, and returns to the perch with a new stack.  Again, she puts the cases in front of me and doesn't miss a beat with her conversation.  I assume she wants me to check out the DVDs to her, and so I do just that.  She then takes the DVDs and leaves the library.  I can only wonder that if the roles were reversed and I was the one talking continuously over the phone while trying to help the patron, she would most likely be offended that I did not give her the courtesy of my undivided attention.

Etiquette Fix--When you're coming to me or anyone else at the perch for service, please refrain from talking on your phone.  We find it incredibly impolite and frustrating to work with distracted patrons.  Please give us the same courtesy you expect from us.  We do appreciate it.

Although cell phones are useful tools for functioning in today's world, please don't use them as an excuse for disrespect.  Let's all honor each other and keep the library a welcoming, quiet sanctuary for people to accomplish different things.

Just my 2 cents from the perch.