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From: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults and Children"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
To: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults and Children" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2002 11:01 PM
Subject: PUBYAC digest 872
PUBYAC Digest 872
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Sign-ups for programs
by <laanders@bellsouth.net>
2) Re: First-name basis patrons??
by Mary <mrc42@yahoo.com>
3) ?identify fairy tale w/ flying box
by James Long <jamesl@lib.state.hi.us>
4) RE: sensitive child
by "Becky Davis" <bdavis@ascpl.lib.oh.us>
5) Stumper: scifi/fantasy
by "Lori Bonner" <lori1@orofino-id.com>
6) Stumper: dragon, heart and unicorn
by "Grace Greene" <grace.greene@dol.state.vt.us>
7) RE: Where to find puppets
by "Christine Neirink" <c.neirink@vlc.lib.mi.us>
8) RE: National Children's Book Week
by "Christine Neirink" <c.neirink@vlc.lib.mi.us>
9) Re: Kindergarten Class Visits
by caes@openaccess.org
10) RE: First-name basis patrons??
by "Michele Farley" <mfarley@brownsburg.lib.in.us>
11) Re: First-name basis patrons??
by "Marge Tassione" <tassione@SLS.LIB.IL.US>
12) RE: First-name basis patrons??
by "krobinso@lioninc.org"
<krobinso@lioninc.org>
13) Re: graphic novels (long)
by Robin Brenner <lexalthea@yahoo.com>
14) RE: First-name basis patrons??
by Katrina Neville <KatrinaN@moval.org>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: <laanders@bellsouth.net>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Sign-ups for programs
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:09:36 CDT
We have just begun doing sign-ups for our special programs. For the Junie
B. Jones program, there were 31 children signed up, and 61 came! What do
you do in a similar situation? I have trouble seeing myself telling
someone
they can't come in, but I need to know ahead of time how many things I will
need.
It's a problem!
Linda Anderson, Nashville
------------------------------
From: Mary <mrc42@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: First-name basis patrons??
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:09:43 CDT
I call everyone by their first name unless they
specifically ask for the more formal name. the
reasoning I have for this is the privacy issue.
Everyone is paranoid that others will find out who
they are, steal their identity, etc... I want to
acknowledge that I know who they are without robbing
them of that security.
Mary Rogers
Delaware County District Library
Delaware Oh
mrc42@yahoo.com
------------------------------
From: James Long <jamesl@lib.state.hi.us>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: ?identify fairy tale w/ flying box
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:09:49 CDT
This is for me. I am corresponding with a woman who is translating The
Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath into Swedish. Naturally, she has quite
a few questions about usages that she is not clear on. She asked if I
could help identify the following allusion. In a passage about the
childhood world of magic and fairy tale books, Plath writes:
"...and the faultless illustrations--the beautiful dark-haired child
(who was you) winging through the midnight sky on a star-path in her
mother's box of reels."
Assuming the 'reels' are spools of thread, this would be a sewing box.
Does anyone recognize what book of story this refers to?
Jim Long
Hawaii State Library
Honolulu HI
------------------------------
From: "Becky Davis" <bdavis@ascpl.lib.oh.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: sensitive child
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Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:09:56 CDT
Hi Denise,
I am a former preschool teacher in a child care center. Could you have the
teacher take your picture reading stories during a visit? On the morning
you are going to visit again the teacher could hang up your picture and help
all the children remember you are coming. She could even talk with your
"sensitive child" individually to make sure she is aware you are
coming.
Also, could your hair style be changed so you do not look like her mother.
For example if your hair is down and long could you pull it back.
Hope these suggestions help you find a solution.
Becky
Librarian
-----Original Message-----
From: Denise P. Stout [mailto:dpstout@ccls.org]
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2002 7:04 PM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: sensitive child
Hello all. I have a delema I hope somewhere out there a person can help me
with. I visit child care centers around our county once a month.
There is
one child who literally freaks out for the first 5-15 minutes of my visit
because I resemble her abusive mother. After I am there a while and she
sees that I am there to have fun with stories and books (she's maybe 2 or 3)
she does eventually calm down. I think the 4 weeks between visits is a bit
long for her to build up tolerance quickly. I don't want my visit to be
negative for her or the other children. Any ideas?
Denise M. Pulgino Stout
Youth Services Outreach Librarian
Chester County Library
610-280-2672
dpstout@ccls.org
Why do dragons have long tails? They can't remember short stories!
"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog,
it's too
dark to read." Groucho Marx
------------------------------
From: "Lori Bonner" <lori1@orofino-id.com>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Stumper: scifi/fantasy
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:10:03 CDT
Please help. We have a patron who is looking for a book he read about
twenty years ago and his description is not ringing a bell with any of
us so...
There are several main characters, a jock, a nerd and a prissy girl.
They are thrown into another dimension while riding a roller coaster and
must try and discovery the way back to ? reality, earth ? There are
dragons and swords in the alternate dimension. The jock is the leader
and the nerd is/becomes a wizard.
Anybody have any ideas???
TIA
Lori Bonner
Clearwater Memorial Public Library
P.O. Box 471
Orofino, ID 83544
208-476-3411
------------------------------
From: "Grace Greene" <grace.greene@dol.state.vt.us>
To: "PUBYAC" <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: Stumper: dragon, heart and unicorn
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:10:12 CDT
Hello, all: Can you help one of our librarians identify this book, please?
Thanks so much.
-the student has only memories of a young girl
helping a dragon get his heart back after it has been
taken by a bad guy. there is a unicorn and she also
gets to learn the language of animals as a reward. He
remembers it was a chapter book read to him as a child
a few years ago.
Grace Worcester Greene
Children's Services Consultant
Vermont Department of Libraries
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609
802-828-3261
email: grace.greene@dol.state.vt.us
------------------------------
From: "Christine Neirink" <c.neirink@vlc.lib.mi.us>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: Where to find puppets
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:10:18 CDT
We use - and have been very happy with - Folkmanis Puppets. The
company works rather like Avon in that you need to find a local
representative. Their website is www.folkmanis.com
Christine Neirink
Youth Services Coordinator
Bay County Library System
---- Original Message ----
From: sharoncast48@hotmail.com
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: Where to find puppets
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 19:02:03 CDT
>
>
>Can anyone give me a good resource for reasonably priced hand-puppets
>
>(movable mouth) plush, animals?????
>
>THANKS GROUP!!
>
>Sharon Castanteen
>Director of Children's Services
>River Edge Public Library
>675 Elm Avenue
>River Edge, New Jersey 07661
>201-261-1663
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
>
------------------------------
From: "Christine Neirink" <c.neirink@vlc.lib.mi.us>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: National Children's Book Week
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:10:24 CDT
Here at the Bay County Library System, we're celebrating the 50th
Anniversary of Charlotte's Web during NCBW. Events include the
following:
1) Preschool Pig Parade - This is basically a special pig story time
- but a local farmer will be bring in a real, live piglet.
2) Happy Anniversary, Charlotte Party - Spider crafts, games, and
snacks.
3) Young Poets' Workshop - After all, it's not often that someone
comes along who is a true friend and good writer.
4) Some Book! - A Charlotte's Web book discussion for 3rd-5th graders
5) Creature Feature - A wildlife expert is bringing in real spiders.
We're looking forward to these events. Hope they spark some ideas in
you!
Christine Neirink
Youth Services Coordinator
Bay County Library System
---- Original Message ----
From: katw100@hotmail.com
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: National Children's Book Week
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 19:01:56 CDT
>Desperately Seeking Something Different:
>
>We are looking for something different to do for NCBW and can't come
>up with
>anything fun. Any great ideas? Please email me directly at
>katw100@hotmail.com and I'll compile a list!
>
>Thanks in advance-
>
>Katherine Parker-Wright
>Rochester Public Library
>Rochester, NH
>
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
>
------------------------------
From: caes@openaccess.org
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Kindergarten Class Visits
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:10:31 CDT
I always give kindergarteners and first graders a souvenir of their visit.
I have a form with a big circle cut out of it. Next to the circle
are the
words: I toured the ____ Public Library, followed by the address, phone
number, and open hours. Below that is a place for the child's name and
date, and finally, a plug for our web site.
On the day of the tour, the second to the last activity is getting the
children's hands copied. I put the form on the copy machine. Each
child
in turn puts her or his hand in the circle. I make a copy and the teacher
writes the child's name and date on it. This they take home to their
parents. A keepsake and a library advertisement! They love it!
After
each child has his or her hand copied, s/he proceeds back into the
children's room explore on her or his own and look at books.
Catherine Sarette
Youth Services Coordinator
Whatcom County Library System
At 05:03 PM 9/26/02, you wrote:
>I am having 6 Kindergarten classes come to visit my
>public library within the next couple of weeks. I do
>this every year, but this year we are not
>incorporating "Everyone gets a library card" in with
>the visit, as we usually do. I usually give a short
>intro about what the library is, sing a song or two
>with them, talk about caring for books, and read a
>cute picture book. I'm looking for bright, quirky, or
>interesting ideas to use when I have this class visit
>that might spice things up. Please pass along any
>ideas to mailforsilver@yahoo.com.
Thanks!
>Lainey
>
>__________________________________________________
>Do you Yahoo!?
>New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo!
>http://sbc.yahoo.com
------------------------------
From: "Michele Farley" <mfarley@brownsburg.lib.in.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: First-name basis patrons??
content-class: urn:content-classes:message
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Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:10:37 CDT
Laura,
It is funny that you bring this up because I was in a school library
before I came to the public forum so I was used to be addressed as Mrs.
Farley, now it seems as though I am addressed as Miss Michele or Michele
and it makes me a bit uncomfortable. (Old habits die hard and all that!)
Anyway, the regular patrons that I know by name are usually moms that
have been in my toddler group and have put their first names on our name
tags. I refer to lots of them as "so and so's Mom."
However, the
grandparents that come to this program usually put Mrs. ... on the name
tags and that is how I address them. It is a hard call sometimes, but
the majority of those that I know introduced themselves by their first
names, so that is what I use. I personally would love to go back to the
times when we addressed all adults as Mr. or Ms., but I think the trend
is to make things more personalized and therefore we go by first names.
Michele
-----Original Message-----
From: Gruninger, Laura [mailto:lgruning@MCL.org]=20
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2002 7:05 PM
To: 'pubyac@prairienet.org'
Subject: First-name basis patrons??
I realized the other day that slowly over time, I've begun calling the
parents who come to storytime programs by their first names. Before
working in youth services I was in reference for many years, and with a
few exceptions, always addressed our regulars as "Mr., Mrs., Your
excellency, etc." I'm hoping the patrons don't see this as
disrespectful. The little kids always call me "Miss Laura" and the
parents refer to me this way in front of the kids. Some of the moms
simply tell me their first names, and I always tell them "I'm Laura"
whens they ask my name. (I always did this in reference too.) Mostly I
am the same age as they are, which I think contributes to this. When I
am talking with them as a group, they refer to one another by first
name, so it would be awkward for me to ask about "Mrs. so-and-so's new
baby", etc. I always refer to myself as Mrs...in writing, and refer to
my co-workers as Mrs./Mr. when referring patrons to them.=20
One thing I know is bound to happen is that as the kids grow older, I'll
be a middle aged "Miss Laura" when they come in to ask for help on
their
college entrance essays.
Do the rest of you call patrons by their first name?
Laura Gruninger, Children's Librarian
Mercer County Library System, Lawrence HQ
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
lgruning@mcl.org
------------------------------
From: "Marge Tassione" <tassione@SLS.LIB.IL.US>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: First-name basis patrons??
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:10:44 CDT
Patrons usually call me by my first name--Margaret or Marge. We wear name
badges, so it's right there for them to see. My last name can be a little
tricky and I'd rather not have patrons feel hesitant to address me by name.
I have been here for several years and most of the children know me as Marge
or Mrs. T. Their parents usually refer to me as Marge, but I always seem
to
use the Mr./Mrs. title when addressing parents. For me, it was just the way
I was brought up. I am not comfortable calling parents by first names in
front of their children--even though I am older than a lot of the parents
who visit. I will answer to any "form" of my name--as long as
it's
respectful. :)
Margaret Tassione
tassione@sls.lib.il.us
Northlake Public Library
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2002 7:05 PM
Subject: First-name basis patrons??
> I realized the other day that slowly over time, I've begun calling the
> parents who come to storytime programs by their first names. Before
> working in youth services I was in reference for many years, and with a
> few exceptions, always addressed our regulars as "Mr., Mrs., Your
> excellency, etc." I'm hoping the patrons don't see this as
> disrespectful. The little kids always call me "Miss Laura" and
the
> parents refer to me this way in front of the kids. Some of the moms
> simply tell me their first names, and I always tell them "I'm
Laura"
> whens they ask my name. (I always did this in reference too.) Mostly I
> am the same age as they are, which I think contributes to this. When I
> am talking with them as a group, they refer to one another by first
> name, so it would be awkward for me to ask about "Mrs. so-and-so's new
> baby", etc. I always refer to myself as Mrs...in writing, and refer to
> my co-workers as Mrs./Mr. when referring patrons to them.
> One thing I know is bound to happen is that as the kids grow older, I'll
> be a middle aged "Miss Laura" when they come in to ask for help
on their
> college entrance essays.
> Do the rest of you call patrons by their first name?
>
> Laura Gruninger, Children's Librarian
> Mercer County Library System, Lawrence HQ
> Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
> lgruning@mcl.org
>
>
------------------------------
From: "krobinso@lioninc.org"
<krobinso@lioninc.org>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: First-name basis patrons??
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:10:50 CDT
Hello Laura,
You've asked one of the all time - there really isn't an answer to this
one- questions=2E When in doubt, I usually go conservative when addressing=
another adult, either older or younger than myself=2E I really do this wh=
en
a child is with them=2E BUT, I prefer my name to be simple and
singular=2E=
I
introduce myself as Kitty=2E No more,no less; when I am on my own turf=2E=
When
I go to the schools, I ask what the school administration prefers=2E I ha=
ve
found that the public schools prefer me to use my formal title in class ,
but don't mind that the children are informed they may ask for me by my
library name when they visit there=2E I always follow the school for the
form of address for the teachers=2E Even after we become good
friends,
coffee etc=2E, I use their given formal title whenever students may be nea=
r
as it is a carry over of their school identity=2E In storytime, I quickly=
let the groups know that I am Kitty and expect my library friends to use
that=2E Children do not show me any change in respect so long as I honor
them with courtesy, love and smiles=2E They carry that into the teen year=
s
and beyond=2E I have a difficulty with the "Miss" so and so=2E
It just do=
esn't
feel right=2E Plus for the older, Miss Kitty is still associated with the=
lady of the barroom and Mr=2E Dillon=2E My other name of Mrs=2E Robinson =
is
remembered by many from the movie "The Graduate"=2E Not the best
associat=
ion
for a Children's Librarian=2E (I have to admit - I really enjoyed the
character portrayal of Miss Kitty in Gunsmoke!) Go with your heart and a
smile=2E Somehow, the people that need or desire a full address will let =
you
know by body language and their eyes=2E By the way, on business forms, I =
use
my formal first name and last, but no titles of personal weight=2E The
letter would contain my job title after my name=2E That's enough for
me=2E=
It
may help that I am a member of the Half Century Club=2E Soon they can jus=
t
call me Granny=2E Have fun today, Kitty
Kitty Robinson
Head of Children's Services
Russell Library
Middletown, CT 06457
Original Message:
-----------------
From: Gruninger, Laura lgruning@MCL=2Eorg
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 19:05:11 CDT
To: pubyac@prairienet=2Eorg
Subject: First-name basis patrons??
I realized the other day that slowly over time, I've begun calling the
parents who come to storytime programs by their first names=2E Before
working in youth services I was in reference for many years, and with a
few exceptions, always addressed our regulars as "Mr=2E, Mrs=2E, Your
excellency, etc=2E" I'm hoping the patrons don't see this as
disrespectful=2E The little kids always call me "Miss Laura" and the
parents refer to me this way in front of the kids=2E Some of the moms
simply tell me their first names, and I always tell them "I'm Laura"
whens they ask my name=2E (I always did this in reference too=2E) Mostly I=
am the same age as they are, which I think contributes to this=2E When I
am talking with them as a group, they refer to one another by first
name, so it would be awkward for me to ask about "Mrs=2E so-and-so's new
baby", etc=2E I always refer to myself as Mrs=2E=2E=2Ein writing, and refe=
r to
my co-workers as Mrs=2E/Mr=2E when referring patrons to them=2E=20
One thing I know is bound to happen is that as the kids grow older, I'll
be a middle aged "Miss Laura" when they come in to ask for help on
their
college entrance essays=2E
Do the rest of you call patrons by their first name?
Laura Gruninger, Children's Librarian
Mercer County Library System, Lawrence HQ
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
lgruning@mcl=2Eorg
--------------------------------------------------------------------
mail2web - Check your email from the web at
http://mail2web=2Ecom/ =2E
------------------------------
From: Robin Brenner <lexalthea@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: graphic novels (long)
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:10:57 CDT
Hello Kristin!
I'm new to this list, but as I'm here, I wanted to
chime in with what advice I could give you! I also
have this topic on the brain, as I just had great fun
participating in a panel on graphic novels for my
local network. I'm sending this to the entire list in
case anyone else had the same questions as you.
My name is Robin Brenner, and I'm the creator of one
of the websites recently recommended by other members
of this list. My site is no flying, no tights, found
here:
http://leep.lis.uiuc.edu/publish/rebrennr/304LE/gn/index.html
First off, let me echo the advice to join the GN-LIB
list, hosted on Topica, for librarians about graphic
novels. It's an invaluable resource with many
discussions (currently and in the archives) ranging
from core title lists, censorship, cataloguing, and
publicizing graphic novels.
I've gotten good feedback from other librarians about
my site, and it was recently featured in SLJ in Aug
2002 as Site of the Month (you all may have seen that
already) but I have updated it a bit -- especially
helpful to you might the core list page, which now has
a list of titles especially appropriate for middle
schoolers.
> What titles are the most popular?
Honestly, everything we put on the shelf is gone
within hours. However, the most popular titles seem
to be Japanese manga titles, like Ranma 1/2 and Peach
Girl; superhero titles like Ultimate Spiderman; and
the action fantasy titles we have, including publisher
CrossGen's Meridian (aimed at girls) and Scion series
titles. That is only off the top of my head.
> What do you regard as essential purchases in this
area?
See the core list section of my site (so I don't
repeat myself).
> Also, how did you get into this?
The YA Librarian and I (I'm a Library Technician) were
encouraged to purchase graphic novels by our local
schools, actually. They had a collection of over 200
titles and were terribly enthusiastic about their
popularity and value. We decided to get in on it, and
I was given the mighty task of educating myself (and
everyone else) about this new format. As you can tell
from my site, I became obsessed (in a good way) and
now am quite entrenched in graphic novel reviewing and
advocacy.
> Did
> anybody get a grant?
Sadly, we got no money -- we buy about 5 titles a
month, to build slowly, though we started with about
15 titles. At this point, we can certainly justify
buying them considering their great popularity here
(in terms of circulation) but we still don't have an
enormous budget.
> How did you publicize the collection? Problems?
First off, we display our collection in shelves meant
for magazines, which means the covers (beautiful and
vibrant) are facing out. We also have a flier of
latest titles, which includes an explanation of just
what they are, and lists on our website. Let me know
if you'd like to see these -- I'll see if I can figure
out a way to give y'all access to them.
> Also, does anyone collect comic books?
I'll leave this response to someone else, but I can
tell you that we're planning on getting into
purchasing subscriptions to comic books similar to how
we purchase magazines -- many other librarians on the
GN-LIB list have experience with this, so that might
be the best place to ask.
> Do you
> have
> more problems with theft and nonreturn of borrowed
> items with graphic novels
> and/or comics than you do with the rest of your
> collection?
As of right now, we've had no more theft of our GN
collection than with the rest of our collection -- we
still get a lot more missing books from fiction and
such collections as the reading list than anywhere
else. Another idea that might helpful is a quote from
librarian Steve Weiner, author of
_100_Graphic_Novels_for_Public_Libraries_ and great
advocate for graphic novels, is that in the entire
almost 20 year history of his working with comics and
graphic novels in libraries, he's had only one
challenge that went so far as an actual filed
complaint form.
Please feel free to email me with any other questions
you might have (that goes for everyone). I'm always
happy to explain anything I can, as well as recommend
titles, etc.
cheers,
Robin Brenner
Library Technician
Cary Memorial Library
Lexington, MA 02420
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo!
http://sbc.yahoo.com
------------------------------
From: Katrina Neville <KatrinaN@moval.org>
To: "'lgruning@MCL.org'" <lgruning@MCL.org>,
"'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
Subject: RE: First-name basis patrons??
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:11:04 CDT
Hi Laura,
At every library where I have ever worked or been a patron, I have been on a
first-name basis with most of my patrons, as have my librarians been with
me. I think that if a person is familiar enough to you, and if he or she
doesn't physically bristle at being called by his or her first name (or,
indeed, ask that you not do it), then it is fine. Observe your coworkers
and, if you really feel like it is a weird thing to be doing, ask your
supervisor what your organization's protocol or policy is.
Hope this helps,
Katrina Neville
Librarian
City of Moreno Valley
25480 Alessandro Boulevard
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
t. 909-413-3880
f. 909-247-8346
e. katrinan@moval.org
w. www.moreno-valley.ca.us
-----Original Message-----
From: Gruninger, Laura [mailto:lgruning@MCL.org]
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2002 5:05 PM
To: 'pubyac@prairienet.org'
Subject: First-name basis patrons??
I realized the other day that slowly over time, I've begun calling the
parents who come to storytime programs by their first names. Before
working in youth services I was in reference for many years, and with a
few exceptions, always addressed our regulars as "Mr., Mrs., Your
excellency, etc." I'm hoping the patrons don't see this as
disrespectful. The little kids always call me "Miss Laura" and the
parents refer to me this way in front of the kids. Some of the moms
simply tell me their first names, and I always tell them "I'm Laura"
whens they ask my name. (I always did this in reference too.) Mostly I
am the same age as they are, which I think contributes to this. When I
am talking with them as a group, they refer to one another by first
name, so it would be awkward for me to ask about "Mrs. so-and-so's new
baby", etc. I always refer to myself as Mrs...in writing, and refer to
my co-workers as Mrs./Mr. when referring patrons to them.
One thing I know is bound to happen is that as the kids grow older, I'll
be a middle aged "Miss Laura" when they come in to ask for help on
their
college entrance essays.
Do the rest of you call patrons by their first name?
Laura Gruninger, Children's Librarian
Mercer County Library System, Lawrence HQ
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
lgruning@mcl.org
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End of PUBYAC Digest 872
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