Friday, October 1, 2010

Librarians Have an Aura (or Something)

I was running out of the Library the other day to catch my flight to Las Vegas. I had already changed into jeans and was rushing out the door. As I was quickly walking out, I noticed an elderly couple standing near the stairs looking lost. Normally, whether I was actually on the clock or not I would have stopped and asked if they needed help, but I was kinda late so I didn't want to take the time. Instead I tried to rush past them without making eye contact but was stopped by the man for help anyways. He asked if I worked at the Library because they were trying to locate one of the meeting rooms.

So I have this theory that librarians have this aura or something that says, "Ask Me. I'm someone who is trained to help people." Now, granted I was the only person in the nearby vicinity, but why would he specifically ask if I worked at the Library when I didn't have a name tag on, wasn't dressed properly, and was specifically trying to avoid helping them, if there wasn't something about me that implied I will have the answer to his question?

This phenomenon doesn't just happen at the Library. I get asked for directions and other informational help all over town. Even in Las Vegas, KK and I got stopped by some tourists for directions to an outlet mall in a place where it should have been clear that we were just tourists as well.

Here's the other thing, you will probably get the best answer possible if you are lucky enough to ask me or other librarians for help when you see us outside of the library. Without even thinking about it I always try to give people the best answer I can with as many details as possible. Something that in my experience doesn't always happen when you ask random people for help. I guess I just can't turn the Librarian thing me in me off.

1 comment:

  1. Ditto! Something happened in another city once, some pathway got blocked, and I just started helping direct people around it. Why are we so weird? Oh this happened to me at Wendy's too.

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