Make time

It is legitimate!

From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mark Benjamin
Sent: 18 March 2012 19:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: IT in the library

Hi Amanda,

I'm afraid that it's now generally accepted that such informal tuition is a part of what library staff are expected to do; the only proviso being that the time is available!

Mark

On 18 March 2012 18:44, Riddick, Amanda <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi,

The other day, during a very quiet time at the library, I spent a good 20 minutes helping a customer with checking-in online and printing out her boarding passes and car hire insurance, and that wasn't the first time I've helped people with IT stuff that isn't to do with the library (eg formatting, saving onto USB stick, selecting the colour printer). Do you find that you and/or your colleagues get involved with what I'd call "informal IT", ie dealing with IT queries that are unrelated to your library's services and that take place outside formal IT classes? Do you feel resentful about it, that it's taking you away from what you're really there to do, or don't mind doing this as part of your job?

I'd appreciate any feedback, but I will probably be writing an essay about this and may want to quote you (with due references and all, of course), so please let me know if you're OK about that or not.

thanks and best wishes,

Amanda Riddick

Library Assistant

MA Student, Library and Information Studies, University College London