How To Be A Good Library Patron via Bookriot

How To Be A Good Library Patron

Bookriot: 7.19.2019 by Anna Gooding-Call

As a librarian, I think I could be forgiven for thinking that not enough people use the library. In fact, I feel this way most of the time! However, I have my days. These are the days when I encounter that two percent of the public that does not know how to be a good library patron. This isn’t just about not damaging the books. It’s about being a good citizen in a unique public space where personal boundaries can feel a bit fuzzy.

I’m convinced that this is a lapse in education, so I’m gonna edumacate you right here and right now. If you think you’re a stellar patron, read this anyway. There is a special variety of the Dunning-Kruger effect just for public libraries, and the last thing you want is to be a statistic.

RULE 1: ASK US, WE’RE BORED

Librarians live for questions. We like everything about recommending books, finding information, showing you how to use our databases, and doing deep dive local history research.

RULE 2: TELL US ABOUT THE MESS

It’s never a great day when someone dumps milk all over the personal finance section. However, it’s a far worse day when the milk sits there for hours because the person who caused the problem slinks out without saying anything.

RULE 3: RULES EXIST FOR A REASON

It may seem arbitrary that you can only have two hours at a computer, even if all of the other computers are free. However, there’s a reason for that rule: when you give one person extra privileges apropos of nothing, then you’re in trouble if you don’t do the same for everybody.  READ MORE >>