Slog - Comments on 206-386-4636 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636 If you ever want to know anything, that's the number to call—the library's quick information line. Anything at all. Yes, there's always Google, but what if you don't know how to ask your question in the Google search field? What if you like a little human understanding with your research? The question of the morning: How the hell does the water cooler in the office heat up water so quickly? I was trying to pour hot water into a cup. One or two drops. The jug on top had run out. I replaced the jug. Right away, I press the... Copyright 2007 Wed, 09 Aug 2006 12:41:41 -0800 Thu, 10 Aug 2006 12:15:25 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Fnarf Librarian reference staff are in general the finest human beings on the planet. Catalogers and circ staff are pretty awesome too. The best thing about reference librarians is this: not WILL they help you, not only DO they help you, but they are absolutely DYING to help you. Seriously, they want nothing more. And nothing frustrates them more than seeing people who think it would be dumb or rude to ask.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444085 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444085 Life Wed, 09 Aug 2006 12:48:02 -0800 Comment by cite Librarians are HOT. Did you know it's the new hipster profession?

]]> cite http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444093 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444093 Life Wed, 09 Aug 2006 12:50:13 -0800 Comment by A Nony Mouse Wow, that's fantastic! The SPL has year-long waiting lists for virtually every new book, but they pay for a guy to answer your inane questions about water coolers.

w00t, Frizzelle. Good work.

]]> A Nony Mouse http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444108 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444108 Life Wed, 09 Aug 2006 13:09:40 -0800 Comment by Levislade That's great! I knew NYC had one of those (there was a great article in the Times a while back) - actually, I think my great aunt worked there once - but I didn't know we had one.

]]> Levislade http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444135 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444135 Life Wed, 09 Aug 2006 13:47:07 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Slashing reference staff isn't going to help the book budget.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444141 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444141 Life Wed, 09 Aug 2006 13:49:33 -0800 Comment by cite You didn't know we had a library?

]]> cite http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444143 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444143 Life Wed, 09 Aug 2006 13:50:22 -0800 Comment by thom As the brother of an accomplished Reference Librarian, I have to second Fnarf. They really DO love to help people! It's pretty awesome. Now back to work, Frizzelle.

]]> thom http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444146 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444146 Life Wed, 09 Aug 2006 13:53:26 -0800 Comment by Levislade Har-har, cite. I meant a number you could call to get any question answered.

]]> Levislade http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444162 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444162 Life Wed, 09 Aug 2006 14:21:17 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Yeah, it's called a reference desk. Every library has one. Try it: go up and ask them something. You will be amazed.

Librarian chic was ten years ago, but the wonderfulness goes on forever.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444191 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444191 Life Wed, 09 Aug 2006 15:00:44 -0800 Comment by celyn Better still, Seattle Public Library offers reference via a 24/7 chat service that they share with libraries around the country.

]]> celyn http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444357 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444357 Life Wed, 09 Aug 2006 17:54:52 -0800 Comment by Jean Energy I love SPL for this service. I called them up after a dispute over what time it was in Manila. We got the current time and I lost ten dollars, but it was worth it.

]]> Jean Energy http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444428 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444428 Life Wed, 09 Aug 2006 21:21:21 -0800 Comment by Violet_DaGrinder Ok, I will stand up and say I had NO IDEA that libraries had people who do this. I would have assumed that if you asked any member of the library staff a question, they would say, "How the fuck would I know, but take a peek behind me, moron: BOOKS. Look it up! Geezus."

So, I am happily storing this number in my phone, for those random questions that come up on roadtrips and whatnot. I'm absolutely delighted.

Thanks! :D

]]> Violet_DaGrinder http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444654 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444654 Life Thu, 10 Aug 2006 10:25:13 -0800 Comment by Geni I used to work at Seattle Public Library, in IT, and I hated it when I had to work on the reference librarian's computer. People would come up to the desk and ask things like how long we were going to keep that brain-scanner going into the men's room operational. Usually the reference librarian was still at their station and would field the questions, but sometimes they assaulted me, the poor, ignorant sys ad, who is unaware of the function of the brain-scan units. I did once ask the librarian, after such a patron departed, if they kept a stock of tinfoil in the top drawer...

]]> Geni http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444740 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/2063864636#c444740 Life Thu, 10 Aug 2006 12:15:25 -0800