#library question

The core reference team in the Terrell Main Library staffs the library chat box found on the library homepage. You can reach us on Sunday afternoon, during the day Monday through Friday, and evenings Monday through Thursday. 

So, who are we? What are our jobs?  What do we look like? What do we want you to know?

Meet Megan, Eboni and Elizabeth.

Megan’s job title is Academic Engagement & Digital Initiatives Coordinator/Team Leader of Reference and Instruction. She would like all of you to know, “If you've got a research problem, chances are good that you are not alone. By asking questions, you can help us make things smoother for everyone.”

Eboni’s job title is Outreach and Programming Librarian. She would like share an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” She also wants to let you know, “I’m happy to join you on your research journey. I am passionate about helping you to be the best researcher you can be!”   

Elizabeth’s job title is Assessment and User Experience Librarian. She would like you to know, “I enjoy hearing about Oberlin students' research, and I'm happy to help out. If you have questions, always feel free to ask me!"

Meet Runxiao, Alonso and Julie

Runxiao’s job title is East Asian Studies Librarian.  She would like you to know, ”We are here for you!”

Alonso’s job title is Information Literacy and Student Success Librarian.  He would like you to know, “Don't hesitate to reach out for help to find the information you need."

Julie’s job title is Public Services Assistant. She would like you to know, “The very best part of my job is helping you succeed at Oberlin. No question is too great or to small to be asked.”

I checked out season four of Attack on Titan Part 1, and all of the dvd commentaries were missing? I asked the staff about it and they said they didn’t include them? Somehow?

I have a question for those among y'all who are librarians or heavy library users.

So my dude exclusively reads books from the library. He needs the little deadline to get him to read the book; ones I own and like and give to him, he just never gets around to finishing.

Anyway. Just a moment ago he was reading Reward System by Jem Calder, and he found a bookmark left behind by the previous reader. ("It's okay," he says. "I don't actually know anybody I'd recommend it to, but it's fine.") The bookmark was something about Mornings with Jesus. Cardstock, punched-out. Whatever.

But he was like. What if I left some weird unhinged bookmarks in the books I returned? Alive with possibilities, he was considering hilarious and weird shit he could put in there. But then he was like. Surely when you return a book they check to see if you left stuff in it! And if they found too many weird bookmarks they'd... idk blacklist you or something?

My thesis is that library staff does not hunt for bookmarks, per se, but if in the course of handling a returned book they notice something left in it they'll of course remove it. (Hence the posts you sometimes see about the stupid shit people use as bookmarks in library books. Don't use sliced cheese guys. That kind of shit.)

But I felt like, if he just printed some hilarious slogan on pieces of paper and cut them into bookmarks and left them in some of his books, nobody would notice or care.

But he's still convinced he'd get on some kind of blacklist.

So, I recently took a job at the high school library.  I won’t be starting until January...when the current librarian retires.  I thought I was applying to HELP in the library, but it turns out I’m going to RUN it.  I have a BA in English and am a licensed teacher, so I know how teachers use the library.  I was pretty friendly with the librarian at my last school, but I really feel like I’m in over my head.  I plan to apply to library school, but haven’t yet.