Librarians are People, Too...

Aw, poor Google...

Seriously, though, you'd be surprised by how many librarians go through this all the time. Librarians doing reference interviews online, via text-a-librarian or chat programs, are constantly approached like they are automated systems. I suppose that's an easy mistake to make, when one becomes used to search engines and automated responses. Back when I did online reference interviews, I would gently let the other person know that I was a living, breathing individual - not that it always made a difference.

It's more confusing when it's on the phone. I don't think I sound like an automated system.

And it's downright rude when it's face-to-face. Robot technology is not that advanced.

That said, I'm ready to go back to work tomorrow. The kids don't listen to me any better than patrons, but with patrons I can pretend it's not personal. (I'm just kidding - patrons listen better.) (No, no, seriously, Swicky and Coconut are great kids. Usually. Except when they have to clean their bedroom.)

Links!

• Look, everyone loves a snow day. Not getting one is no reason to resort to sexist, racist bullshit. You're in college, grow up.
• If you want to keep an eye on the net neutrality situation, or, really, any digital technologies rights situation, the Electronic Frontier Foundation is where to go.
• The Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity sounds like a wonderful idea and an award I hope I never qualify for.
• Food Stamp Cuts, Cold Weather Put Extra Strain On Food Pantries: It's a terrible thing when a family has to choose between eating and keeping warm.
• I don't know about you, but I get uncomfortable when young girls are described as "sexy." Take note of that, Daily Mail. Stop being the old creepy guy.
• Feeling possessed? Bob Larson will, for a fee, perform an exorcism. Over Skype. Not sure you're possessed? There's a test you can take online, but it'll cost you. For $9.95, I'd better come back positive. I...I really want to see an episode of this show... (I'm making light of this, I know, but - as a Christian and a reasonable human being - I really want to slap this snake oil salesman.)
• I don't know about possessed, but some people are very obsessed. Like this guy, who ran into his burning home to...save his Xbox.