Comments on: The Pompous Old Bag patron http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/ The stories of a part-time librarian mixed with nonfiction book reviews. Join in the fun! Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:19:18 +0000 http://www.today.com/version-2.3.1 By: Annabelle http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4278 Annabelle Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:16:31 +0000 http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4278 It's all well and good that our patrons are charitable and whatnot. But it's not charity when they come in and tell us about it. I bet her one thousand dollars only covers her interlibrary loan shipping. Maybe it makes her sleep better at night. Meanwhile, we have to hang on to her freaking huge books. Some people. P.S. 90% of homeless people aren't even dangerous. In fact, some of the nicest people I know are homeless. In FACT, some of our best patrons are homeless! Take that POB!! (Your blogs are bringing out all my pent up frustration...) It’s all well and good that our patrons are charitable and whatnot. But it’s not charity when they come in and tell us about it. I bet her one thousand dollars only covers her interlibrary loan shipping. Maybe it makes her sleep better at night. Meanwhile, we have to hang on to her freaking huge books. Some people.

P.S. 90% of homeless people aren’t even dangerous. In fact, some of the nicest people I know are homeless. In FACT, some of our best patrons are homeless! Take that POB!! (Your blogs are bringing out all my pent up frustration…)

]]> By: ravyn http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4258 ravyn Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:18:59 +0000 http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4258 Wow. I'd had some frustrating patrons during my time working circ at Lakeview, but she beats all of them up, down and sideways. I admire your patience. Wow. I’d had some frustrating patrons during my time working circ at Lakeview, but she beats all of them up, down and sideways. I admire your patience.

]]> By: Shriney http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4257 Shriney Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:44:05 +0000 http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4257 Oh wow, this brings back memories. Our library had a 90 year old guy that was working on his 12th degree and was always asking for, like you say, books only God could find. Our favorite story about him was this: He used to haunt a local private religious college and harass their librarians as well. One day he came in and asked our reference librarian for more obscure stuff, saying that the private college hadn't been able to find him anything. With an inward sigh, our librarian decided to call the college to find out what searches they had done so she wouldn't be reinventing the wheel. The poor woman at this religious school library was very distressed by the call, and finally burst out "We lied! We didn't look at all!" LOL. Our own librarian was entirely sympathetic (amidst laughter) because seriously, the librarians deserved hazard pay for dealing with this guy day in and day out. But I'm sure that poor college librarian was forever horrified that she'd been caught dodging a patron! Thanks for sharing your story and that priceless pic...hee! Oh wow, this brings back memories. Our library had a 90 year old guy that was working on his 12th degree and was always asking for, like you say, books only God could find. Our favorite story about him was this: He used to haunt a local private religious college and harass their librarians as well. One day he came in and asked our reference librarian for more obscure stuff, saying that the private college hadn’t been able to find him anything. With an inward sigh, our librarian decided to call the college to find out what searches they had done so she wouldn’t be reinventing the wheel. The poor woman at this religious school library was very distressed by the call, and finally burst out “We lied! We didn’t look at all!” LOL. Our own librarian was entirely sympathetic (amidst laughter) because seriously, the librarians deserved hazard pay for dealing with this guy day in and day out. But I’m sure that poor college librarian was forever horrified that she’d been caught dodging a patron!

Thanks for sharing your story and that priceless pic…hee!

]]> By: Hava http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4256 Hava Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:19:41 +0000 http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4256 Ah shucks, thanks. :-) I love to write, that's for sure. This blog is great fun for me. Hava Ah shucks, thanks. :-) I love to write, that’s for sure. This blog is great fun for me.

Hava

]]> By: recoveryrocks http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4255 recoveryrocks Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:11:48 +0000 http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4255 That's hilarious! You are a great writer. Roxie http://recoveryrocks.today.com/ That’s hilarious! You are a great writer.

Roxie
http://recoveryrocks.today.com/

]]> By: Hava http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4253 Hava Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:48:59 +0000 http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4253 Ruthie >> I'm glad you enjoyed my post. :-D And what would the point be of suffering through all of these situations, if I couldn't come home and laugh about it with you guys?! Sometimes, when a patron really gets into a snit about something, I am smiling and nodding on the outside, but on the inside, I am mentally composing my blog on here. It keeps me sane, and keeps me from snapping back at them. ;-) LOL! Stephanie >> I have to say that the customer service industry is <em>definitely</em> not for everyone. And there are days when I was just want to scream. But the majority of the patrons are great (or at least not a POB) so in the end, that's what makes my job worthwhile: The great ones in the bunch. If all of our patrons were POB's, I'd have quit a long time ago. Tiffy >> I contemplated putting the interlibrary book story in here, but my post was getting too long as it was, so I didn't. For those of you reading this post who don't actually work at the library, the long story short is that we ordered a book in for POB from another library (as usual - I swear 90% of the books she checks out are from another library). Well, this time we ordered a book in, and it turns out that is was "simply too heavy to carry" out to her car, and she refused to take it. Now bear in mind that we order these books in as a service to the patron, and we don't charge them for this service. Considering the book was huge, and the postage to and from our library would have been quite high, we were understandably upset with her that she refused to take the darn thing home. She is one crotchety old woman. Oh, and wasn't that picture terrific?! I <em>dare you</em> to help POB and not burst into laughter. :-P Callista >> There are some great patrons out there too. In fact, just for balance's sake, I ought to post one or two blogs about it. It's just that the great patrons don't make for hilarious posts! ;-) CJ >> That's a good point about the $1000 being a bribe. I think in her mind, she's paid us and now we are her slaves. Uggh and double-uggh. cmaher >> That is sweet of you to say that! I like to think that I am a reasonable person and would be kind to people no matter how old I got, but then again, I guess we won't know until I'm 80, eh? ;-) Hava Ruthie >> I’m glad you enjoyed my post. :-D And what would the point be of suffering through all of these situations, if I couldn’t come home and laugh about it with you guys?! Sometimes, when a patron really gets into a snit about something, I am smiling and nodding on the outside, but on the inside, I am mentally composing my blog on here. It keeps me sane, and keeps me from snapping back at them. ;-) LOL!

Stephanie >> I have to say that the customer service industry is definitely not for everyone. And there are days when I was just want to scream. But the majority of the patrons are great (or at least not a POB) so in the end, that’s what makes my job worthwhile: The great ones in the bunch. If all of our patrons were POB’s, I’d have quit a long time ago.

Tiffy >> I contemplated putting the interlibrary book story in here, but my post was getting too long as it was, so I didn’t. For those of you reading this post who don’t actually work at the library, the long story short is that we ordered a book in for POB from another library (as usual - I swear 90% of the books she checks out are from another library).

Well, this time we ordered a book in, and it turns out that is was “simply too heavy to carry” out to her car, and she refused to take it. Now bear in mind that we order these books in as a service to the patron, and we don’t charge them for this service. Considering the book was huge, and the postage to and from our library would have been quite high, we were understandably upset with her that she refused to take the darn thing home. She is one crotchety old woman.

Oh, and wasn’t that picture terrific?! I dare you to help POB and not burst into laughter. :-P

Callista >> There are some great patrons out there too. In fact, just for balance’s sake, I ought to post one or two blogs about it. It’s just that the great patrons don’t make for hilarious posts! ;-)

CJ >> That’s a good point about the $1000 being a bribe. I think in her mind, she’s paid us and now we are her slaves. Uggh and double-uggh.

cmaher >> That is sweet of you to say that! I like to think that I am a reasonable person and would be kind to people no matter how old I got, but then again, I guess we won’t know until I’m 80, eh? ;-)

Hava

]]> By: cmaher http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4252 cmaher Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:55:51 +0000 http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4252 For some reason, I don't think you could ever become a POB. For some reason, I don’t think you could ever become a POB.

]]> By: Chris http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4251 Chris Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:14:58 +0000 http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4251 Oh yes, the "I donate $1000 dollars every year" lady sometimes you just want to say, well good for you! enjoy your plaque and leaf on the tree, because thats the only reward you get! It's not really a donation if she keeps expecting special treatment cause of it, if we did, then it becomes a bribe! Oh yes, the “I donate $1000 dollars every year” lady sometimes you just want to say, well good for you! enjoy your plaque and leaf on the tree, because thats the only reward you get! It’s not really a donation if she keeps expecting special treatment cause of it, if we did, then it becomes a bribe!

]]> By: Tiffy http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4249 Tiffy Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:39:45 +0000 http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4249 That is hilarious! Thanks for the laugh..I needed it! Now whenever the POB comes in to check out her humongous interlibrary loan coffee table book that she can't possibly carry out to her car, I will be thinking of this! You do know that I will have to try with all my might not to laugh in her face now as I think of POB and have the picture you posted here in my head..thanks a billion! That is hilarious! Thanks for the laugh..I needed it! Now whenever the POB comes in to check out her humongous interlibrary loan coffee table book that she can’t possibly carry out to her car, I will be thinking of this! You do know that I will have to try with all my might not to laugh in her face now as I think of POB and have the picture you posted here in my head..thanks a billion!

]]> By: stephanieebarr http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4247 stephanieebarr Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:18:58 +0000 http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2009/01/06/the-pompous-old-bag-patron/#comment-4247 I could never make it in anything approaching a service industry. I mean, I did it when I was going through school and stuff, but day in and day out, I'd so lose my temper. My heart bleeds for you. I could never make it in anything approaching a service industry. I mean, I did it when I was going through school and stuff, but day in and day out, I’d so lose my temper.

My heart bleeds for you.

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