Task #6 - Library Orientation/Customer Service Tutorials--CHECK!

I have so much webolving to do. Got a little behind since I was on vacation for a week. Must catch up.

I thought that these sites were extremely well done and would be really helpful for any brand new library staff member. In the OLC website, I appreciated that it provided basic underlying principles and I thought that the quizzes following each section were great review. Some were a smidge shelving heavy. I thought some of the material also seemed a little online user or technology heavy, but for the most part, it explains things well. I liked the question that was "who would you see or talk to in your library if...there was a computer problem, etc." Often just figuring out who to direct someone to or who to ask is a big hurdle. I also flipped through the Ref overview, ORE, which was helpful in mostly the same way. It gave the trainee good understanding of what to ask, what to try, how to handle that transaction.

Since I'm so far behind! the Customer Service link had changed. It took me a little Googling to find it, but it still exists and has only been moved. Also very helpful! I think few people before they start in libraries probably imagine how public service heavy all of our positions are. And something I liked about both sites was how they emphasised that everyone's mission/goal is public service, no matter your department, etc. Generally I strongly dislike using the term "Customers". I think it's very ill fitting. But at any rate. Their sections on handling difficult situations or challenging people were good strong reminders on how to stay professional and level headed. I really think that we truly provide some of the most outstanding service imaginable--in some nasty conflicts I've had or witnessed, I honestly can't imagine any employee anywhere reacting better than we do. I think we've got that part right.

I think that suffices for task Number 6. Yippee!