One of the librarians has send me an e-mail observing that some students are using their blogs to complain about the Seton Hill library. I'm perfectly happy with letting people vent, but here's an opportunity for me to talk about library research and the function of librarians.
As I've said many times, reference librarians love helping people -- for most of them, it's why they became librarians in the first place. So, to quote from my own handout, "Academic Journals -- Finding Them Online"
To find the best academic sources for your paper...Psychologists have learned that, even when research proves that people work better and faster when they ask for help rather than muddle around on their own, people still have the tendency to believe they will only waste time if they stop what they are doing and ask for help. In computer interface design, this is called the "Active User Paradox." Try to recognize and work against this tendency, and you'll spend less time sitting in front of your computer pulling out your hair, and more time reading good sources for your paper.You'll save yourself time and aggravation, and you will get better results.
- Close this web page.
- Walk to the library.
- Talk to a reference librarian.
Duly noted :-D
I'm sorry you had a bad experience, Amanda. Be careful of the ad hominem argument, though -- that sort of thing helps nobody.
Okay, you may get respect from the librarians, but when I asked for help, the librarian acted as if I were a nuisance. Especially concerning EBSCO Host's slow service. I understand that it is an incredible amount of text, but really!
All of the other databases work pretty well, but that one--the one we are expected to use--works as fast as a PennDot shovel leaner.
And when I asked for the illusive "reference librarian", she just looked confused. 'Whoops,' she thinks. 'That's my job.'
I am so sorry for asking you to get up from your comfortable chair. And I just love the way you look down your nose at me--I have never seen such copious amounts of nose hair.
When feeling rather slime-ish post-SHU library, I just remember that the Mt. Pleasant Library is always there--minus the stereotype.