Comments on: “open to the public” != public library – a day (almost) at the Newberry http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829/open-to-the-public-public-library-a-day-almost-at-the-newberry/ putting the rarin back in librarian since 1999 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:14:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Karen http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829/open-to-the-public-public-library-a-day-almost-at-the-newberry/comment-page-1/#comment-20140 Karen Thu, 07 Sep 2006 12:44:22 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829#comment-20140 I remembered reading this post when I was just in Chicago and wanted to see the Newberry Library. In the guise of doing genealogy research, I presented my business card at the desk and despite my site seeing out fit of jeans and T shirt, was permitted to fill out the necessary paperwork for admittance. Thanks. I remembered reading this post when I was just in Chicago and wanted to see the Newberry Library. In the guise of doing genealogy research, I presented my business card at the desk and despite my site seeing out fit of jeans and T shirt, was permitted to fill out the necessary paperwork for admittance. Thanks.

]]> By: Eli Guinnee http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829/open-to-the-public-public-library-a-day-almost-at-the-newberry/comment-page-1/#comment-19029 Eli Guinnee Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:16:07 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829#comment-19029 The National Library of Scotland, where I used to work, is undergoing a redesign (physically and in its attitude) to be more "open to the public". It is a tough subject for research-oriented libraries. It is not always feasible to let in anyone who happens to want to have a look around, but I think a little customer service training, friendliness, and leniency goes a long way. I agree totally with Jesse's comment that we should be more willing to comment on the performance of our colleagues and <a href="http://librarystudentjournal.blogspot.com/2006/05/ethics-slashed-from-becpl-budget.html" rel="nofollow">have done so myself occasionally</a> at the <a href="http://librarystudentjournal.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">LSJ Editors' Blog </a> The National Library of Scotland, where I used to work, is undergoing a redesign (physically and in its attitude) to be more “open to the public”. It is a tough subject for research-oriented libraries. It is not always feasible to let in anyone who happens to want to have a look around, but I think a little customer service training, friendliness, and leniency goes a long way.

I agree totally with Jesse’s comment that we should be more willing to comment on the performance of our colleagues and have done so myself occasionally at the LSJ Editors’ Blog

]]> By: libwitch http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829/open-to-the-public-public-library-a-day-almost-at-the-newberry/comment-page-1/#comment-18612 libwitch Sat, 26 Aug 2006 18:54:14 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829#comment-18612 Wow. That really is a shame. On one hand, I can understand that they may have gotten tired of their library being used as a hangout joint as opposed to a research place...(and that is their choice).... But, really, the guard did not be so strict about it, especially since most people who want just a place to hang out for the day would be deterred by having to obtain a one day pass to get in. He could have been much more polite about it, and todl you the option of the research pass. I don't think he stopped to realize how unfriendly he was, or how badly that would reflect on the library, or libraries in general! Wow. That really is a shame. On one hand, I can understand that they may have gotten tired of their library being used as a hangout joint as opposed to a research place…(and that is their choice)….

But, really, the guard did not be so strict about it, especially since most people who want just a place to hang out for the day would be deterred by having to obtain a one day pass to get in. He could have been much more polite about it, and todl you the option of the research pass. I don’t think he stopped to realize how unfriendly he was, or how badly that would reflect on the library, or libraries in general!

]]> By: Mary http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829/open-to-the-public-public-library-a-day-almost-at-the-newberry/comment-page-1/#comment-18478 Mary Fri, 25 Aug 2006 14:00:37 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829#comment-18478 I work in a museum library. We are open to the public - sort of - but it is always best to call ahead. We're very short staffed, but if I know someone is coming - even just to look around - I can make sure I'm ready. I can pull material ahead of time (our stacks are closed), or arrange a behind the scenes tour. Calling ahead makes things so much easier. I work in a museum library. We are open to the public – sort of – but it is always best to call ahead. We’re very short staffed, but if I know someone is coming – even just to look around – I can make sure I’m ready. I can pull material ahead of time (our stacks are closed), or arrange a behind the scenes tour. Calling ahead makes things so much easier.

]]> By: Jessica C http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829/open-to-the-public-public-library-a-day-almost-at-the-newberry/comment-page-1/#comment-18384 Jessica C Thu, 24 Aug 2006 15:43:01 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829#comment-18384 Wow, that sounds almost exactly like an experience I had with a fellow librarian at this really huge & important library in DC. We too were denied access based on lack of research proposal, which none of the documentation required. I wrote a letter and did receive a courteous response and apology, and promise to review their documentation vs. their procedures. Wow, that sounds almost exactly like an experience I had with a fellow librarian at this really huge & important library in DC. We too were denied access based on lack of research proposal, which none of the documentation required. I wrote a letter and did receive a courteous response and apology, and promise to review their documentation vs. their procedures.

]]> By: don warner saklad dsaklad@zurich.csail.mit.edu http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829/open-to-the-public-public-library-a-day-almost-at-the-newberry/comment-page-1/#comment-18349 don warner saklad dsaklad@zurich.csail.mit.edu Thu, 24 Aug 2006 10:27:04 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829#comment-18349 Many cities' potential public library users/clientele/consumers have had similar experiences. Better guidelines are needed for gatekeeper types at the entrances to our favorite cities' public libraries. What do any of the divisions of the American Library Association offer with respect to any guidelines for gatekeeper types at the doorways?... Many cities’ potential public library users/clientele/consumers have had similar experiences. Better guidelines are needed for gatekeeper types at the entrances to our favorite cities’ public libraries. What do any of the divisions of the American Library Association offer with respect to any guidelines for gatekeeper types at the doorways?…

]]> By: Jesse http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829/open-to-the-public-public-library-a-day-almost-at-the-newberry/comment-page-1/#comment-18296 Jesse Wed, 23 Aug 2006 23:47:44 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829#comment-18296 >I really try to not use this space >to complain about customer service >incidents unless I think they can >somehow be useful teaching tools, >but I just was floored here. To be honest, I would like to see more librarian bloggers comment (positively or negatively) on the customer service issues they encounter in other libraries. A lot of public libraries have very poor customer service philosophies, and often management does not keep an eye on the way that librarians and other staff members interact with patrons. Providing excellent, friendly customer service is one of the most important parts of encouraging the public to continue to find value in libraries. >I really try to not use this space
>to complain about customer service
>incidents unless I think they can
>somehow be useful teaching tools,
>but I just was floored here.

To be honest, I would like to see more librarian bloggers comment (positively or negatively) on the customer service issues they encounter in other libraries. A lot of public libraries have very poor customer service philosophies, and often management does not keep an eye on the way that librarians and other staff members interact with patrons. Providing excellent, friendly customer service is one of the most important parts of encouraging the public to continue to find value in libraries.

]]> By: Frank L http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829/open-to-the-public-public-library-a-day-almost-at-the-newberry/comment-page-1/#comment-18283 Frank L Wed, 23 Aug 2006 21:18:10 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829#comment-18283 What an awful encounter. Talk about reasons that libraries are losing patrons. Still, I'm glad that an actual librarian from Newberry is reading this and is taking the matter to management. What an awful encounter. Talk about reasons that libraries are losing patrons. Still, I’m glad that an actual librarian from Newberry is reading this and is taking the matter to management.

]]> By: Andy Steadham http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829/open-to-the-public-public-library-a-day-almost-at-the-newberry/comment-page-1/#comment-18262 Andy Steadham Wed, 23 Aug 2006 15:36:41 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829#comment-18262 I work at the Newberry in Special Collections. I'm really, <i>really</i> sorry this was your experience. I want you to know that, had you gotten past the security desk, I think you would have found that there are a lot of very friendly, dedicated librarians working upstairs. We obviously have a lot of work to do to see to it that accessing them -- and the reading rooms -- isn't so difficult. I plan to share your post with management; it's a prime example of how we <i>shouldn't</i> be greeting visitors. I work at the Newberry in Special Collections. I’m really, really sorry this was your experience. I want you to know that, had you gotten past the security desk, I think you would have found that there are a lot of very friendly, dedicated librarians working upstairs. We obviously have a lot of work to do to see to it that accessing them — and the reading rooms — isn’t so difficult. I plan to share your post with management; it’s a prime example of how we shouldn’t be greeting visitors.

]]> By: Kathleen de la Pena McCook http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829/open-to-the-public-public-library-a-day-almost-at-the-newberry/comment-page-1/#comment-18188 Kathleen de la Pena McCook Wed, 23 Aug 2006 03:40:03 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829#comment-18188 That's really ironic since BugHouse Square is in the park next to the Newberry. Interesting Newberry fact...the building was designed by William Frederick Poole who also began the Readers' Guide. That’s really ironic since BugHouse Square is in the park next to the Newberry. Interesting Newberry fact…the building was designed by William Frederick Poole who also began the Readers’ Guide.

]]> By: Amy Proni http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829/open-to-the-public-public-library-a-day-almost-at-the-newberry/comment-page-1/#comment-18184 Amy Proni Wed, 23 Aug 2006 02:27:51 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/stax/1829#comment-18184 Oh, that is *such* a bummer, Jessamyn! I'm really sorry to hear it. I haven't been there in years now, but I remember it as a pretty cool place. Why didn't you just tell the guy you were there to research customer service in specialty libraries? At least then he could have told you that they don't have a section on customer service... Oh, that is *such* a bummer, Jessamyn! I’m really sorry to hear it. I haven’t been there in years now, but I remember it as a pretty cool place. Why didn’t you just tell the guy you were there to research customer service in specialty libraries? At least then he could have told you that they don’t have a section on customer service…

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