With everything being automated these days, even though I am trained in many different things, I often find that the biggest value that I bring to my patrons/ customers is just being a friendly, available and helpful human being.

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

Kristin LaLonde, MLIS, AHIP

Health Sciences Library Manager
MyMichigan Health
4005 Orchard Drive
Midland, Michigan 48670

Phone (Midland) (989) 839-3262

Phone (Gratiot) (989) 466-7047

kristin.lalonde@mymichigan.org

 

qtlxzfzf

 

From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> On Behalf Of Megan Summers via Michlib-l
Sent: Thursday, December 5, 2024 12:04 PM
To: Jennifer Perryman via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org>
Subject: [Michlib-l] New York Times Comment About Library Workers

 

!

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Please contact the IT Service Center if you are unsure.

 

A relative sent me a comment from a New York Times article entitled "Human Interaction Is Now a Luxury Good." I wanted to share it with my fellow library workers!

 

"I worked as a librarian in academia for many years. One day while I was on the reference desk I got a call from an emeritus professor who had some questions about navigating the university website. During our interaction, he said repeatedly how nice it was to immediately get a helpful person on the phone who took the time to answer his questions, especially someone who was nice and kind.

Anyway, I do hope the author of this book interviewed librarians also. They are on the front lines, doing this important work to help people get their information needs met, which can be especially difficult given how much misinformation is out there.

Public librarians in particular also have to deal with a lot of patron anger, especially these days. This is exhausting even on the best day, all while getting paid a fraction of what they really deserve in exchange for this kind of emotional labor."

 

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

 

Best,

 

Megan Summers (she/her)

Assistant Manager

 

Sherwood Forest Branch

7117 W. 7 Mile Rd./Livernois

Detroit, MI, 48221

313-481-1840

msummers@detroitpubliclibrary.org

Please note that this email message and any attachments may contain privileged and confidential information that is protected against use or disclosure under federal and state law. The information is intended only for the personal and confidential use of the intended recipient. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this information in error and that any review, dissemination, distribution, copying or action taken in reliance on the contents of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please advise by immediate reply.