Question for those of you who use the library

julie37619

Do you find it creepy for the librarian to comment on what you're checking out?  Is that an invasion of privacy?

When students check out a movie or book I've read, I usually try to mention that I've read it and that I'd like to hear what they think when they're done.  It's a way to connect to them and get to know them.  But recently I've started to wonder if it's privacy-invading.  What do you think?  Would you rather a librarian say nothing about what you're checking out, or mention that it's a book or movie they enjoyed?

Young_Love

Well, I'm a book nerd so I would love this.

packfan20

I don't think it's creepy at all. I've had them comment like, "Oh! I haven't read this one!" Or "I really liked XYZ by this author." Doesn't bother me at all.

sassypants527

I don't think it's creepy at all. I'd rather someone interact with me than just act like a robot, especially at the library. I mean, if I'm checking out a book on dealing with grief or something, maybe not, but if it's a novel or I have a stack of related research material and s/he knows of a good source I missed, sure.

SnShne322

My librarians comment on them all the time and I've never thought it was creepy.  In fact, I've really enjoyed some of the discussions we've had about them.

dmlk413

I think it's awesome, not creepy at all.

84Lauren

I really can't imagine anyone thinking this is creepy! I buy more than go to the library, but my B & N is awesome and I usually have convos with the salespeople. In fact, when they don't comment on something I'm buying I get disappointed, haha

kpow

When I'm checking people out, I say something positive if I know the book or author. I've never said anything negative. I once had someone check something out for me that said something negative and I was WTH.

wife2james

It doesn't bother me.

It's the same as buying a top.  I love it when the person checking me out says "That is a cute top!" or something of that nature. To me it feels like they are making a connection to the customer, which to me is a metric of good customer service.  I have never thought of it as an invasion of privacy.

taylormillgirl

I would enjoy that. They installed computerized self-checkout stations at my library, so there's pretty much no human interaction anymore. Even eye contact is rare. 

ThisModernLove

I like it to an extent.  Sometimes when I'm checking out things like self-help type books, I'm a bit sheepish about it even though I shouldn't.  Any others, I'm totally cool with it.

booknerd226

I don't use my library since I like to own the books I enjoyed, or else donate the ones I didn't like. But when I'm at B&N or 2nd&Charles or any other bookstore I love for them to comment if they liked the book or that author. I had the best time at 2nd&C right after Thanksgiving at a sale they were having. The place was pretty empty and I was the only person at check out so the saleswoman and I talked for nearly an hour about books, authors, etc. I got some great recs and now we recognize each other. 

Jen748

I would love it!

j*&p*

ThisModernLove said:

I like it to an extent.  Sometimes when I'm checking out things like self-help type books, I'm a bit sheepish about it even though I shouldn't.  Any others, I'm totally cool with it.

Good point. I'd probably appreciate a no comment on something like that, but with fiction, I'd love a librarian's input. I don't think I'd ever find it creepy.  

Jliongrrrl

I would enjoy discussing books, I don't really borrow movies. The first time I checked something out at my new library (same county so same system but different branch) it was a book I had put on hold. When I picked it up the lady was all atwitter and kept calling me by name (first and last) and told me she'd been looking out for me to come in which kind of freaked me out until she explained that she has the same name. (We have different middle names  and she's the 4th person with the same name I've actually met and I'm sure there are a ton more out there). 

She's actually very nice and I enjoy chatting with her. I would be very sad if they replaced her with a self check out kiosk.

CeeCeeSugaPie

I love it. Unless I was checking out some erotica or self-help stuff, I would be totally okay with comments.

sfgiantsjo

CeeCeeSugaPie said:

I love it. Unless I was checking out some erotica or self-help stuff, I would be totally okay with comments.

Library employee: Ohai. My partner and I reeeeallly enjoyed that book. The technique on page 69 was especially pleasurable for me. Just make sure to lift your leg extra high, and hydrate prior to attempting it, or you'll cramp.

Library patron: 

@-)

CeeCeeSugaPie

sfgiantsjo said:

CeeCeeSugaPie said:

I love it. Unless I was checking out some erotica or self-help stuff, I would be totally okay with comments.

Library employee: Ohai. My partner and I reeeeallly enjoyed that book. The technique on page 69 was especially pleasurable for me. Just make sure to lift your leg extra high, and hydrate prior to attempting it, or you'll cramp.

Library patron: 

@-)

LOL!! I would die. Of course, I wouldn't be brave enough to check out erotica from the library in the first place. Yay for e-books! Do libraries even carry erotica?

SnShne322

CeeCeeSugaPie said:

sfgiantsjo said:

CeeCeeSugaPie said:

I love it. Unless I was checking out some erotica or self-help stuff, I would be totally okay with comments.

Library employee: Ohai. My partner and I reeeeallly enjoyed that book. The technique on page 69 was especially pleasurable for me. Just make sure to lift your leg extra high, and hydrate prior to attempting it, or you'll cramp.

Library patron: 

@-)

LOL!! I would die. Of course, I wouldn't be brave enough to check out erotica from the library in the first place. Yay for e-books! Do libraries even carry erotica?

They do! Or at least mine does. 

jackiback

I would love this. I love talking books.