Task #6: Helping Patrons

Though none of the answers surprised me, I found this to be a really good exercise. It is easy to think of one solution to offer patrons, but it's helpful to be reminded of additional solutions and to offer patrons as much as possible.

Here's my multiple choice question:
A patron comes to the desk and asks what e-reader should he or she purchase or if we can help download books onto the one he or she has.
a) Respond, "I don't have one so I don't know. Just don't buy a Kindle right now."
b) Tell the patron to "Google it" ("it" being e-readers in which he or she might be interested)
c) Send him or her to Central to ask for more help
d) Show him or her the downloadable instructions on our web site
e) Tell him or her to Book A Librarian
f) Combination of c-e

Because I do know that Kindles do not currently work with Overdrive items, I do share that knowledge, but in a nicer way than listed in choice "a". I let patrons know that there is a step-by-step guide online and show them where it is if they are interested. I explain that there are staff members at Central who know more, and booking a librarian is the best option because it will allow staff time and preparation to answer specific questions.

Extra Credit #2: Google A Day

Today I learned that in 1667 nutmeg motivated the exchange of two islands (one which is now Manhattan) between the Dutch and the British.

I like learning new things, but I'm not a "trivia buff" so this exercise was okay. I probably won't visit it again.

I don't like being the party pooper, but I do have to write that I have a problem with this being on our Research and Learning page. I understand that it is relevant because people are learning something new, but it seems we have a continuous struggle to make the point that our databases provide reliable research compared to many Google, Wikepedia and general Internet searches. With that in mind, it seems to me that having a Google A Day on the same page as our databases is counterintuitive.

Please enter me into the drawing for the downtown gift card.