The short answer is no.
But the long answer...?
- Sometimes I notice what you check out, sometimes I don't. The longer you take to be prepared, more I notice about your books. If you are embarrassed about what you are checking out, I would suggest having your card ready before you come to the counter (or use a self-checkout option if it is available to you). I have had people comment on their items, and then I actually have to look at them to understand why they are commenting, haha.
- I know my regular's hold slip codes. That doesn't mean I check what you have on hold, only that I know you have holds because I had to interfile other holds nearby.
- Reading is reading. I'm so happy you are doing it, and I don't care what you read. Everyone needs something to de-stress - perhaps you like to do that by reading harlequin romances in the same way I like YA fantasy-romances or Jane Austen movies. I just get scared if you tell me the harlequin book is the best writing you have experienced. That just makes me sad.
- You don't have to justify your items to me. Can I repeat this a hundred times? I'm so sorry you feel like you have to explain why you are taking out a Disney movie or "girly book". I don't need you to tell me it's for a class, or your girlfriend, or grandchildren. I promise you that it's okay if that is true, but it's also okay if it's just for you.
- At the same time, I will put two and two together. If you are changing your address and are checking out a book on relationship strengthening techniques, I can safely assume your marriage is in a difficult patch. I notice, but I won't gossip or bother you about it. This is a safe zone.
--------------
Basically, what I can say the takeaway is here, is that, although I may or may not notice what you are checking out, I'm not really paying attention to it. I might laugh at a terrible book title, but I don't think anything of you reading it. Heck, I've read a few Captain Underpants books. I'm really not about to start judging you!
--------------
Basically, what I can say the takeaway is here, is that, although I may or may not notice what you are checking out, I'm not really paying attention to it. I might laugh at a terrible book title, but I don't think anything of you reading it. Heck, I've read a few Captain Underpants books. I'm really not about to start judging you!
It’s amazing how you can pick up on things just from what a person is checking out. I guess you can tell a lot from a person based on what they read.
ReplyDeleteYou really can! But you have to be careful with this too. Someone could be taking out a bunch of items for research purposes/curiosity too, or for a friend who feels uncomfortable checking things out. So it's something that we make sure not to judge people on, or assume about them.
DeleteHaha, that Captain Underpants comment.
ReplyDeleteI understand people feeling self-conscious about their reading of choice. We're so used to being judged these days. There are people who seem to thrive on passing judgment on others. I hope all librarians are like you!
Absolutely, and it's such a shame. I'm guilty of it too sometimes - I used to feel really embarrassed telling people I loved reading teen books. I'm a lot better about it, but sometimes I still feel self-conscious.
DeleteIt's so sad that we feel the need to justify what we read. There's such variety and a book for every mood and period in life. Some days it's Captain Underpants and some days it's Shakespeare lol
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
Definitely! I absolutely adore Jane Eyre and Shakespeare, and all of these "literary" things, but I also am the first person to recommend body humour books to reluctant readers, and laugh at the book "Wedgieman"
Delete