People, Pedophiles and Poo

People

We get all sorts of people in the library. Many from the shelter and some whose home computer crashed. We have parents who have their children strapped to them and others who let their four-year old wander through the book stacks. We have them all. Many people ask us questions because they are too lazy to read the directions in front of them. Others are so impatient that they can't understand why they need a reservation instead of jumping on a computer right away. They feel entitled to special treatment because they are doing us a favor by coming in here when they crash their computers.

1. Please keep your child with you at all times....it's a public library and we get some shady characters in here.

2. Read the directions, then if you don't understand...ask.

3. You are not doing us a favor by coming in. We get enough people and have enough work to do without you.

4. Please wait your turn. The system gives the first available time. We cannot control that. Learn how to go around the system like some of our regulars have done.

5. It's not OK to urinate or defecate in the book stacks, we have ample restrooms for you to do that.

6. Learn what the different genre's mean. A biography means someone else wrote it, you will not find the book under their name in the stacks.

7. If looking for obituaries, please come prepared with names and dates. Otherwise, come more than 15 minutes before closing and we can help.

8. When printing, the black screen we refer to is the computer monitor by the copier...NOT the copier's screen. That will make your life easier.

9. The information desk does not check out books or give you information on your account. That is what the main desk is for. You will not get out of paying fines by asking us what you owe. Nice try.

10. Just because you have a library card somewhere else (i.e. Goshen, Bristol, Mishawaka) does not mean you can use it at the Elkhart Library. You must register your card at the Main desk as a reciprocal borrower. It's free and easy to do.


In response to rule number 5. Yes someone dropped their pants behind one of the book shelves and went poo on the floor and the wall. They then pulled a book off the shelves and wiped their behind with it. I feel sorry for the patron who found it and the custodian who had to clean it up. Seriously people, we HAVE bathrooms. They are not just for decoration.

Just some thoughts for today...until my next random vent....


Layla