very minor work beefs

[iftsiga]

Dear other library staff,

I am not the token disciplinarian. If you see a patron breaking some fiddlin' rule, please feel free to correct him/her/them yourself. Do not attempt to "sic" me on them. If they won't listen to you, you are either wasting your energy on nonsense ("they're sitting two to a computer!" "he's fiddling with his cell phone!") or aren't being firm enough or even sticking around to get an answer. You have the same authority as I to enforce the rules; don't try to pass the buck.

Dear patrons,

Do not crook your finger at me and motion me to come over to where you are standing, especially when I am waiting on someone else. Likewise, do not follow me around the library when I am assisting someone, and there is obviously someone free to help you at the circulation desk, insisting that I and only I come away and help you instead of what I am busy doing. If I tell you "I am currently busy helping someone else, please go talk to X" do not get offended.

Comments

[foolfaerie420.livejournal.com]

It sounds like part of your problem is that you look too *smart* at work. I had a friend who used to have a special *ugly* outfit for her job at a pizza joint, you know, hide the hair, play up the zits with yellow baggy sweats...okay okay I am joking. Mostly. Maybe you need to take it further in the sexy department, lip gloss and a "I'm stupid, but books are cool" attitude. You dont want to let everyone knoe how much you have it together in that atmosphere...or people will try and have you write their papers!

Or maybe fake glasses...make it look like you can't see them.

ah well...there is actually probably not much that you can do.

[xauenmurph.livejournal.com]

Heh. If I dressed up I'd get pestered by more lonely middle-aged male patrons, and also children who think my name is "teacher."

I think the solution is to follow other staff's example and stop making eye contact with patrons, or get into the non-human-handling parts of my field.