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DAVID BENTLEY'S WEEKLY COLUMN |
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WHY WE ARE HERE
The first day on a new job is stressful. Will I remember the instructions? How will I handle questions that weren't covered during training? What if I make a mistake? Am I really capable of doing this job? Those were the questions that were racing through my head as I arrived at the library last week for my first day checking books in and out as a volunteer. During graduate school I had worked in the university library. I use computers all the time. So what was there to fear? Still I arrived a half hour early for my first shift to observe the volunteers I would replace. While checking out books for the first person I helped, a notice appeared on the computer that her contact information needed to be updated. This required a librarian. Fortunately one was close by, saw what was happening, and took care of it before I even asked. While helping the next patron, I canceled the hold on a book she wanted. So I had to find another librarian to fix my mistake. The next three transactions went well, and checking books in was easy. Then another patron presented a book for checkout that not yet been checked in. I became flustered trying to decide what to do. The patron thought she had done something wrong or had overdue books on her record. Fortunately another librarian came to my rescue and showed me the instructions for the next step at the bottom of the screen. I thanked her for helping, and she replied, "That's why we are here." Breathing deeply, and recognizing that the world had not ended over three mistakes, I had no further difficulties the rest of my shift. I didn't know all the answers, but there were people who could help me when I needed help. Now, if I could just remember that in every task I undertake.
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SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 |
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