by Beth Cronk, Litchfield head librarian
“Google can bring back a hundred thousand answers; a
librarian can bring you back the right one.”
This quote has been attributed to author Neil Gaiman and to librarian Diana
Tixier Herald, but this librarian must admit the irony of having trouble
finding the right source. Herald, who is
known as genrelibrarian on Twitter, was attributed by The Guardian newspaper as the source. She has set the record
straight and said that she merely retweeted Gaiman’s tweet.
Neil Gaiman is known for being very
conversational on Twitter (he even answered a question of mine once), so I’ve
asked him on Twitter if he would set the record straight, as well, and tell us
whether he quoted someone else. Twitter
as a new research tool? You go where you
can find answers.
In the last two weeks I’ve had a string of people apologize
to me for taking up my time when they’ve asked if I knew where to find some
information they needed. Let me set the
record straight: helping people find information is part of my job.
It’s not a big part of the job in a library
of this size. We don’t have a reference
or information desk where a librarian handles questions all day, like they do
at Willmar or St. Cloud or Ridgedale libraries. But
public libraries are always supposed to be places where you can ask for help to
find information.
Some of us at the Litchfield Library have had specialized
training on handling reference questions, the librarian term for requests for
help finding information. Jan and I each
completed a course on that many years ago.
I took a graduate school class on reference last year. Others on our staff, like Mary and Linda,
have had years of experience digging for answers for people. We don’t always find the answer, to be honest,
but we can help you figure out where to start and find good sources, and
sometimes we can put exactly what you need in your hands for you to take home.
Just try not to ask your question of the person shelving
books, even though that may be the least intimidating way to go. Reference questions aren’t part of that job,
although she can tell you where to find a specific book.
I might look busy (it’s a busy library!), but I really do
hope you’ll ask me if you need some information or some books on a
subject. A library staff member said to
me lately, “You like the challenge, don’t you?” I do. Rather than it being a bother, it is an
interesting challenge to find something you’re seeking. And it gives me a sense of purpose when
people go away with some books and printouts on a medical condition they’re
dealing with, or some contact information for a difficult insurance issue, or
some resources for a college paper they’re writing. I’ve had people shake my hand in surprised
gratitude after finding what they didn’t think they could find. It makes my day.
We can’t give medical or legal or tax advice. We’re not experts in these things. But we can help with finding print and
reliable internet resources on whatever subject you need, and then you can read
it and interpret it for yourself. Always
consult an expert, your doctor, lawyer, or tax specialist, when it really
matters that you understand things correctly and have the right answer on these
kinds of issues.
The next time you
need some information help, think of the library. You don’t have to go it alone and just Google
it if that leaves you buried in a pile of possible answers. We often use Google, too, but we might have
some good ideas you wouldn’t have thought of to help you find just what you
need.
