4 posts from May 2008

Thank you for your patronage (that part is ok)
Have a Blessed Day (borderline)
PSALMS 1:1-2 (is this really necessary, people?)

Make sure to wait a while before transferring the hot liquid to a cheapo plastic container.

oops!

The other day I went to the grocery store and, as usual, I brought my own bag. For the third time in a row they didn't give me the nickel credit they are supposed to. Third time being the charm, I went to the Customer Service Desk and asked if they were no longer providing the credit. I made a point of saying that I don't do it for the nickel, but the manager still gave me $0.15. He asked if I mention to the cashier that I have my own bag, and I explained that I always put the bag on top of the groceries, which means that the cashier has to pick it up and move it. They have to know it is there! This morning I had to stop in for a loaf of bread. There were new signs on the all the doors encouraging people to recycle bags in order to get the 5 cent credit. I, however, had stepped over my bag as I walked out of my apartment, so couldn't take advantage of it. But at least I told the cashier I didn't need a bag.

I seriously dislike our online catalog. I can't find anything with it, and I am an information professional. No wonder people get frustrated when they come into this library and can't find what they are looking for.

It really frustrates me when a patron is looking for an item and I am unable to find it for them. This happens several times a week. I just feel incredibly ineffective and wonder why I spent two years in grad school. Anyone can fumble; I'm supposed to know what I'm doing.

This morning I was trying to find a biography to include in a finding aid. While I was over in the reference section, a woman asked me a question. Not being very familiar with anything outside of the Special Collections bubble, I was unable to answer the question. I had to go back to the reference section a couple of times, and she was still searching. The main reference desk had merely pointed her toward the aisle, and left her to it. I decided I was going to find a call number for the book. She told me it was called "Hitemans", but she had no more information than that.

Ok, classic reference case. I can solve this one. I went to our catalog and typed in "Hitemans". The catalog thought maybe I meant "Hitman's". Most of the entries on the screen were for Hitler. I decided to do a search by call number, entering the call number of the book I had been using. I paged through a few screens, but found nothing. Unwilling to give up, I turned to my trusty companion, Google. I typed in "hiteman revolutionary war". The very first link:

Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army During the ... - Google Books Result