Free Range Librarian - Episode 1

Ruth and I regularly discuss the most interesting topics. The most recent one is about the appropriate or inappropriate use of the title ‘librarian’.  Many believe the title should only be used for those with library specific qualifications.  But I very much like and embrace the definition below:

A PERSON WHO WORKS IN A LIBRARY - so simple and yet so profound.

Yesterday, Caitlin told us a funny story about FREE RANGE LIBRARIANS (ask her to tell you all about it!)

That made me think - what does 'free range' actually MEAN? So I looked it up:

No, no, no we are not chickens! So disappointing.  

However, really soon, our staff will in fact free range around the library, once we have implemented RFID. We will no longer be stuck behind a desk.  We will be able to sit down next to our customers on our brand-new, funky-looking visitor chairs.  We will be able to assist customers between the shelves with tools like the Librarian Rover (look out for Episode 2 of Free Range Librarian next week for more on this), and we will be active, engaged and creating wonderful customer experiences for ever and ever ..... (sorry, getting carried away here).

So what attributes do Free Range Librarians have, you may ask?  

1.  Free range librarians are personable.  2.  Free range librarians are always willing to help a customer out.  3.  Free range librarians have attitude (as Martine so eloquently put it:  'fake it till you make it').  4. Free range librarians have loads of confidence.  5.  Free range librarians are friendly.  6.  Free range librarians are knowledgeable (about the tools they use, and about the work they do). 7. Free range librarians  are ...... well, please feel free to add your own words here!

Our customer service training is promising to be a real treat for everyone - thanks Martine and Kate for organising it!  I encourage everyone to attend with an open mind, and a learning mind.  Embrace the ideas, the passion and enthusiasm, and walk away empowered.  I am sure we can continue to add to the list on the attributes of a free range librarian - this is where it all starts :-)

To end these musings of an old librarian hack - with a bit of artistic licence, we can create our own definition of a free range librarian:  

free-range librarian

adjective

(of library staff, especially public library staff) kept in natural conditions, with freedom         of movement.

       

“a free-range, chocolate-fed librarian”  (feel free to insert any preference for treats here)

• (of books, and anything else you will find in a library) curated by free-range librarians.