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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To understand why people do not use Librarys anymore?

88 replies

AngelWreakinHavoc · 23/07/2012 19:03

I have not been to a Library for about 6 years. I am not Someone who reads daily, weekly or monthly.

I was recommended a couple of books by a friend of mine (American Psycho and The story of O, just incase You are interested :) )

Anyhow, I walked into the Library and there was no one in there except the lady behind the counter, She seen me come in but she was on the phone, I wandered overe to 'where I thought I should be looking' and stood looking for what I wanted for about 6/7 minutes.
In all honesty I was hoping the lady would get off the phone and come and help me but instead I had to stand and listen to her talking about alsorts of random stuff.

In the end I just left without any communication or the book I wanted to read.
Is this normal behaviour for a librarian or am I being unreasonable thinking this was wrong?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 23/07/2012 19:04

How was she to know you weren't just browsing?

Why didn't you just go to the desk and ask her to help? I doubt she is psychic

WorraLiberty · 23/07/2012 19:05

Perhaps they should have hung out the bunting and ordered the marching band for your arrival?

All you needed to do was go and stand in front of her and I'm sure she'd finish her phone call to help you.

As for people not using libraries anymore, well my local one is always fairly busy.

LaurieFairyCake · 23/07/2012 19:06

Libraries aren't shops - no one interferes with you if you're browsing. If I need something I just go up to the desk - all the staff in my local library are fab!

Thecunningstunt · 23/07/2012 19:06

I use the library a lot. So do my kids. It's not a shop....my DS is five and if he wants a book he will ask the librarian. I think YABU. You are old enough to not expect help, you could have asked.Smile

Thecunningstunt · 23/07/2012 19:07

Crossed post laurieGrin

NarkedRaspberry · 23/07/2012 19:08

Honestly? I wouldn't interrupt her call for those books. HTH.

thebetachimp · 23/07/2012 19:08

It's a library. Not a bookshop.

Cheddars · 23/07/2012 19:08

YABcompletelyU

Most people prefer to browse in a library without being hassled by staff.

Normal people understand they must ask for help if they need it. Librarians are not telepathic. Hmm

SpanglyGiraffe · 23/07/2012 19:09

YABU, like others have said she wasn't to know you weren't just browsing. My DS & I use the library a lot too, he loves it & it always seems busy to me! Smile

Original poster
AngelWreakinHavoc · 23/07/2012 19:09

Please dont flame me, I just thought that she was a bit rude.

Like I said I havnt been to a Library for about six years, Maybe I am confusing library service with shop service as in 'Hi, how can I help'

I didnt mean to sound daft :)

OP posts:
alphabite · 23/07/2012 19:10

My library if fab. Do not give all libraries a bad name because yours isn't as good as you want it to be.

Mine is literally amazing with highly skilled, efficient and friendly staff. They are willing to help with finding books, research, recommendations etc. It never fails to amaze me when I go there (about once a month).

They also do lovely things for the local children and some good courses.

mosschops30 · 23/07/2012 19:10

I use the library all the time and love it.
I dont want staff hassling me when youre browsing.
I am quite capable of asking when and if i need help

SilkySmith · 23/07/2012 19:11

seriously? its a library, they don't hassle you if you are at the shelves! if you want something go look it up on one of the catalogue computers or ask at the desk

BUT there is sod all in them these days, I wanted a basic book on a very common broad subject that I honestly thought would be in ANY library, and they didn't have a single book on the whole subject.

We use em for LO and for hiring DVDs and CDs, but they're pretty useless for adults wanting books sadly

tummytickler · 23/07/2012 19:11

I would use my library less if librarians came and annoyed me whilst I was trying to have a quiet browse! It keeps me out of shops too.
She had no way of knowing you needed help if you didn't ask.

MushroomSoup · 23/07/2012 19:11

YABU. A completely free service and you expect...what, exactly? Libraries are organised A-Z so not particularly hard to find. If you needed to know the author you could have asked the librarian. Yes she was on the phone but she would've finished if you were waiting for her!

Original poster
AngelWreakinHavoc · 23/07/2012 19:13

Thank You all. I have my answer, I honestly didnt know what kind of service to expect and of course my thread title is completely wrong :)

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 23/07/2012 19:13

I don't use it as much as I used to, I tend to spend my free time online now rather than reading :( Plus I owe them about £30 in fines and I never seem to have it Blush

anditwasallyellow · 23/07/2012 19:13

Let me guess you have read fifty shades and wanted another porn book?

yabu you should have asked for help she probably thought that you were browsing.

And people do still use libraries a lot, I use mine every month and it is always busy.

PatriciaHolm · 23/07/2012 19:14

Librarians don't proactively serve. If you want help, go and ask, quietly, otherwise you will be left alone. Surely you could find the books you wanted unaided, or did you not know who wrote them?

BrianCoxhasSmellySox · 23/07/2012 19:16

I use my local library regularly, as does my DD.

It has recently had a massive refurb so is ultra techy and generally fab. Before the refurb the staff were on the whole friendly, there was one silly woman couldn't have cracked a smile if her life depended on it and took great joy in talking to you like you were something she'd just trod in! The rest of the staff were lovely though.

I've never wanted anybody hassling me whilst browsing. If I did want somebody to come to my aid, I would approach them and ask for assistance.

YABU, walking in after a 6 year absence and having a bit of a grump about libraries in general? Seems to me the problem is both with your library and in your expectations.

LunaticFringe · 23/07/2012 19:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Viviennemary · 23/07/2012 19:18

Library staff don't usually approach people unless they are asked for help. And most of them absolutely love to be asked for book recommendations and advice on books and other services the library offers. . Next time you go in ask for help. I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

LineRunner · 23/07/2012 19:19

So where is shit porn in the Dewey Decimal System?

(OP, please go back and try again. Libraries can be really good.)

MsWeatherwax · 23/07/2012 19:22

Generally, people are so busy using libraries that this is one reason why staff wouldn't approach someone browsing. I enjoy my local library that I'm not pesterered like in shops and can take as long as I want. It has an amazing collection of fiction and there is always something I want in to read. I'm sure if you'd gone up to the desk they would have helped you. Though I can't say as I'd expect the library to have The Story of O, they don't usually stock erotica.

BoulevardOfBrokenSleep · 23/07/2012 19:22

It's funny, isn't it, the way places have their own etiquette that you don't notice until it's questioned... Was just musing on what I would do if the librarian asked if she could help me. With my unerring social skill, I would probably go; "What? No! What!? "

But what I am really wondering, is what on earth did you ask your friend to get those recommendations? American Psycho is a very disturbing book, and coupled with the story of O...