When there is inclement weather, the library will close early. This is for the safety of our staff as well as our patrons. Apprently, this does not sit well with some of our “everyday” patrons. A recent encounter with one of them went a little like this…
Patron: Are you closing early tonight like you did last week?
Me: I’m not sure. It depends on when the snow starts.
Patron: … (stands silently then lets out a “mm” and walks away)
Well… sorry that we want to keep people safe by sending them home early instead of when the snow is already piling up and the roads are slick.
I’m sitting at the AV desk, checking in DVDs and putting the discs away and notice a patron looking around. Finally, he comes up to me.
Patron: I need help looking for something. Do you work here?
Knowing this guy has seen me working behind the desk, I take a second, look down at my badge, then back up to him and answer.
Me: Nope.
Patron: Oh, okay. (starts walking away)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Just so you all know I’m not that horrible of a person, I did catch him and tell him that I do work here. I did not think that he would believe me, but… I was wrong. Though part of me wishes I left it at that.
I also need to add that I get this question a lot… especially when I’m behind a desk. I mean, I’d understand if they asked me this question while I’m in the stacks putting books away, but when I’m behind a desk? Really?
Me: Well, do you have a photo ID? I can issue a guest pass for you.
The patron shows his driver’s license and I issue a guest pass, giving him the instructions on how to use the Guest ID to log into the computer.
A few minutes later the patron comes back up to my desk and says he cannot log in and the ID is invalid. I go over to his computer to help and before I can help, he is already typing in his Driver’s License number for the ID and when it fails, he looks at me asking why it didn’t work.
Me: Sir, you have to enter the ID that’s on the guest pass I gave you.
