Dammit Jim, I'm a librarian, not a punching bag

Exhibit A. "I put a two books on hold this morning and I thought I'd check to see if you had them on hold for me."
"We don't have that book in the library so it'll take three to five business days to get there."
"It said the book was there and I need two copies for my kid's report tonight. It needs to say it's going to take three to five days online when you order the book."
"Um."
"you need to tell someone that they need to put that on the site."
"Okay"
"I mean I know you can't do anything because you're just a librarian, but you need to tell someone....blah blah blah."

And lady, you a. need to learn to read and b. not yell at me.

Exhibit B. "I'm in Chicago and I need to renew a book."
"Okay what's your card number" Pull up record, renew. "Okay sir, your book is now due on April 24 and you have a late fee of $3.50"

"But I called to renew. And I still get a late fee?"
"The book was late, it was due on March whatever."
Heavy sigh. Hang up.

Are You Kidding Me?

The new bright idea for the library to generate revenue is to sell hunting and fishing licenses or possibly do passports photos and all. So that means library staff will have to take pictures and if it's passports the patrons will want us to help them fill it out. It will be worse than the free tax program. I say sure, just do it at the Central library where it's like a tomb and not at the busy branches that don't have enough staff.