30 posts in 30 days #6: The library as office – Suggestions for patrons.
Over on Gigaom there’s a great post titled “Using Starbucks As Your Office? Here Are Some Tips”. As someone who’s done a great deal of writing at a Starbucks or two, I could relate to most of the suggestions. Some of the better suggestions are:
Learn the names of most of the baristas and also take time to have a conversation with them. It helps build a human connection.
Make the baristas involved in your venture – share your news and make them feel part of your struggle.
Don’t spread out your stuff and take up too much space at the store.
Make sure you buy coffee or something at least three times a day.
Tip generously – up to $10 a day will ensure that folks at the store don’t view you as a freeloader and a pest.
So, this got me wondering, oh libraries in libraries where the public actually hang out, what advice would you give these sorts of patrons? Obviously tipping is out. I’ll assume that not taking up too much space would be a good one. But how about making you “involved in the venture”? What else would you add to this list?
Michael Sauers is the Director of Logan Library in Logan, UT. Prior to this he was one of the founding staff and Technology Manager for Do Space in Omaha, NE. After earning his MLS in 1995 from the University at Albany's School of Information Science and Policy Michael spent his first 20 years as a librarian training other librarians in technology along with time as a public library trustee, a bookstore manager for a library friends group, a reference librarian, a technology consultant, and a bookseller. He has written dozens of articles for various journals and magazines and has published 14 books ranging from library technology, blogging, Web design, and an index to a popular horror magazine. In his spare time, he blogs at TravelinLibrarian.info, runs The Collector's Guide to Dean Koontz website at CollectingKoontz.com, takes many, many photos, and typically reads more than 100 books a year.
Unless otherwise stated, all opinions are my own and are not to be considered those of the City of Logan, UT.
View all posts by Michael Sauers
One Reply to “30 posts in 30 days #6: The library as office – Suggestions for patrons.”
Authors & researchers who use archives, etc. will engage with staff. Historians will sometimes note significant assistance they received at a library or archive. The nearest thing in small public libraries’ experience might be genealogy enthusiasts.
Last week our library was “temporary office” for a cross-country runner who is raising awareness & research funds for Multiple Sclerosis. She runs mornings & evenings & tries to find libraries with wireless internet during the middle of the day which allows her to keep up her web presence and schedule.
But none of that web presence notes such use of public libraries. People who use libraries tend to take them for granted.
So I would add the to list “if you use a public library, give it a kindly mention.”
Authors & researchers who use archives, etc. will engage with staff. Historians will sometimes note significant assistance they received at a library or archive. The nearest thing in small public libraries’ experience might be genealogy enthusiasts.
Last week our library was “temporary office” for a cross-country runner who is raising awareness & research funds for Multiple Sclerosis. She runs mornings & evenings & tries to find libraries with wireless internet during the middle of the day which allows her to keep up her web presence and schedule.
But none of that web presence notes such use of public libraries. People who use libraries tend to take them for granted.
So I would add the to list “if you use a public library, give it a kindly mention.”