Monday, July 15, 2013

Books on Machiavelli

I had a patron come in today asking for books written by Machiavelli.  Did more than a handful of searches, and only 3 books came up.  Two were already 'lost' (aka a patron still has them).  One said it was on the shelf.

So I wrote down the call number (320.1 Machiavelli for those interested) and sent the patron on his way.  A few minutes later, he comes back.  Not on the shelf.

So I go back there and look at not only the shelf it's supposed to be on, but on surrounding shelves.

Not on the shelf.

So I offer to order the book, but he laughs, thanks me but declines.

So I order the book for our collection.  And I gratefully note that I'm glad that I'm weeding the 300s so I can hopefully find it.

Monday, July 8, 2013

There's a special place in hell...

For people who write/draw in library books.  Especially in pen.

Like the book on Alzheimer's I found.  New book, just a year old.  Lots of pen underlining.  Or how about the math equation books with all the answers filled in?

Or the books on costumes with notes and everything written?

Thankfully I can erase most of it.  But the ink stuff won't erase out.  And in that case, the book has to go.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

You have study rooms for rent?

We do...but not for instrument practice.  Now, if you were just learning how to read music, that'd be one thing.  But actually practicing an instrument (a flute, in this case) in a study room?  Nope, sorry.  The rooms, although they look it, aren't sound-proof.  And a lot of patrons would be very upset if the sounds of a flute started wafting around the library air.

(Now, I wouldn't mind personally, being a flautist myself, but that's just me.  I can't speak for any of the patrons who are studying etc in the library.)