To understand why people do not use Librarys anymore?

[AngelWreakinHavoc]

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?

Was the question, 'What shit porn is likely to be stocked by my local library?'

Again thank You all I am obviously being completely unreasonable on this topic.
I didnt mean to offend anyone regarding this.

The only Librarys I have used is school (which I left at 13) And I had a Library bus come to my village (6/7 years ago who were always really helpful).

YABU.

I use libraries, there's always other people in the library when I go.

When people go and stand in front of the shelves, they are usually browsing. I know that I'd get annoyed if the librarians kept wandering over to ask if I wanted help.

Librarians are usually very helpful if you ask them for something, but they're not psychic. They can't be expected to know that you want them to "get off the phone and come and help" unless you go and stand at the desk. If someone's standing at the desk while the librarian's on the phone, then it would be pretty obvious that they wanted something.

Also, if you are a member of your local library, you might be able to access the library online. My local library online service lets me reserve books that I want to read, and nominate which local branch I want to pick the book up from. They e-mail me when the books arrive, and then all I have to do is go to the library, pay a small fee (currently 35p per reserved book), and collect the book. That might be something useful for you to look into, given you were after specific books.

OP, you are being very nice and reasonable in learning how libraries work these days, allowing yourself to be teased a bit, and joining in the thread.

you recommended American psycho?why it's vile
library staff are variable can be v arsey

I use our library all the time. Opening times have been reduced now and like above post its now self service check out and returns machines but there are still a few staff on hand to help - SHOULD YOU ASK FOR IT!! I dont think ive ever had a librarian approach me to ask if i need assistance, i also wouldnt expect it. When i have needed help i've asked and never had a problem with that. Cant imagine why OP would think that the librarians should be running about approaching everyone looking at the shelves asking if they need help?? .

Haha but honestly, did you read 50 shades first?

I'm just wondering if all the libraries now have an influx of women asking about porn books.

Libraries are not shops. The staff are librarians not shop assistants. They have no incentive to come and ask if you need help. The staff are there as part of the fantastic and truly wonderful free service that libraries provide, and if you had asked for help she would have provided it. Most people just love to wander around for hours and choose something at random - not everyone goes in with a specific mission in mind.

I think you misunderstood how libraries work, and if you'd frequented them more throughout your life you would have known. but now you do know.

Was in twice over the weekend. Once to return a book, once with dh choosing some.
Dd loves the library, went to baby rhyme time, there's a toddler story time with play session after and a small area with toy kitchen. So not just books for her. Over the summer they have a few story sessions planned.
You should definitely check out what else they do offer. Oh and learn to use the catalogue/ask if you want help

YABU

This may come as a shock, but librarians are not usually psychic, nor are they sales people. If you wanted a specific book, you should have asked her, she wasn't to know you didn't know where to look.

I can lend you Belle du Jour, but it's shit.

My library doesn't really cater much for adult fiction - but then most of the people that use it are under 12 or over 65 so its not that surprising.

Staff are lovely and they are really child friendly and do loads of free things for children. Free computer use, free WiFi, massive selection of e-books that you can download... having rediscovered the library since having ds I'm a big fan!

haha, sorry, this is funny

Everyone else has said what I was going to say so i'm just going to add that whilst I love our local library I was hugely shocked the other day when the librarian hadn't heard of the Chalet School series! It's not like she was too young to remember them either, she was older than me. I just couldn't believe it

You left school at thirteen???

libraries aren't free,paid for by taxation that gov gives to local council
and overall I find local libraries a bit dire
with some staff curmudgeonly they lack a welcoming vibe

black lace is band
what other permutation is there?

Yes I wouldn't like to Pull Pineapple in case it went off.

Well I didn't mean 'free' in that sense SM obviously I realise they are paid for by taxation, but like all things paid for by taxation they are available to all, equally, regardless of whether you've paid any tax or not.

They are wonderful. Truly wonderful.

pulling a pine pie
sounds deliciously gross
in a sniggery way