What's Your Definition of "Help"?

  by  Dimitri N. 
HELP: verb: Make it easier for (someone) to do something by offering aid. ; assist; aid; support
The other day, I was was approached by a patron to help her find a book at the public library I work at. I tend to hate sitting at the reference desk so I usually get up and walk people around the library to show there how to find things. I know, that's not very mind-blowing but you would be surprised at how many people just point to a location and consider that helping. Anyway, so this college-aged student comes up to me and has a call number, so I walk her around the library. I take her to the parent collection, go down on my rickety knees and try to find the book she is looking for.
It's not there.
I walk with her over to the picture books and start going through the books to see if the book is there. Nope. No book. Mind you, it's a picture book. They are thin. We have lots of kids coming through checking books out, putting them on the shelf and there are lots of them.
So, I go to the computer to see when it last had any activity. Feb 2012. Ok, so it has to be somewhere.
I walk her over to the resorting shelves and look there. Nothing.
I say, "Well, we have looked everywhere and the only thing we can do is put a search for it."
Lady: "What do you mean? It says it's here on the computer."
Me: "Well, we walked all over the children's library and looked in all the possible locations and haven't found it."
Lady: "I need it for Wednesday."
Me: "Well, we looked everywhere and it's not here."
Lady:"YOU DIDN'T HELP ME."
Me: shocked "What? I walked with you through the stacks and looked on the shelves WITH you. You are actually saying I didn't HELP you?"
I then asked "When did you get this assignment?"
Lady: Long pause. "That's not important."

Uh, actually, it IS important. This is what happens when you procrastinate.

I couldn't believe it. When did "helping" equal only actually finding the item? Seriously, I could not believe the nerve of that girl. Luckily, my manager supported me because, you know, we aren't magicians, we're librarians.

Bake Sale for Louisville Free Public Library!!!

Mark your calendars if you live or are in Louisville, Kentucky on August 26, 2009. There was a flash flood that destroyed Louisville Free Public Library and they are closed until they renovate and restock the place. But they need some help! So check out their website. Here are some of the things going on to help LFPL get back to helping and serving their community.

1. August 15 - there is a rally at Newburg Library - 4800 Exeter Avenue
2. Steve Lawson's fundraiser on PayPal
3. August 26 - Library Bake Sale - Michelle J over at Consuming Louisville is setting it up.

If you want to know more click on the link :) I'm sure she would appreciate it!

Every little bit helps! Please donate to AIDS/Lifecycle

Today, I received an email from my friend, Myleen, up north and one of her friends is also participating in the AIDS/Lifecycle event happening at the end of May. My friend, Nikki, is riding as well so I thought I would spread the good word. Maybe know someone, maybe you don't know someone who has dealt with this horrible disease...but you know, it's important that we strive to find a cure. I know, people are strapped for cash, hell, I'm strapped for cash my self but for a good cause and to help some good people, I will help with what I can.

Anyway, this is a link to Nikki's page and also info for a "fund-rager" happening in San Francisco to help Myleen's friend, Jack, this friday, April 24 at Orange Photography 1261 Howard Street San Francisco, CA 94103. The fundraiser (rager) starts at 6:30pm. I don't even know Jack, but if I did, I would go!
Thanks for helping out or sending good vibes.

clipped from www.tofighthiv.org Donate to support Nicki!

Call for Assistance - Library Camp LA

Photo by jefoto.

I am interesting in setting up a LibraryCamp LA. You have probably heard of BarCamp LA and maybe some of you attended the Library Camp NYC or are going to Library Camp Kansas with David Lee King...

I would like to set one up here in L.A.

If anyone is interested and/or can give me some tips as to setting it up, please let me know. I think if would be a great experience and since we are moving to the Web 3.0 world, it would be great to hear people's thoughts and ideas and learn about what is being done out there.

Let me know! Cheers!