I went to college and to graduate school. I was a library user and a pretty good student. (Meaning I actually studied and did homework, etc.). And in all the years (lots of years) that I was in school, I don't ever remember believing that it was the library's responsibility to supply me with standard office supplies.
I've noticed since beginning to work at a university that students EXPECT that the library will provide them with these things. Printing? That's fine, because students pay for it. But how about once they've printed out those pages? They expect that we will provide the stapler and the staples. And paper clips. And pens and pencils. And tape. Now, those are all pretty basic supplies that the library has on hand anyway--and I get that the tuition from these students funds the library--so it isn't that big of a deal.
But, pretty regularly, I get asked for other supplies. I have been asked for markers, colored pencils, mechanical pencil refill lead, red pens, rulers, notecards, tagboard, construction paper, graph paper, calculators, graphing calculators, mounting tape, stencils, scissors, three hole punch, staple remover, and a whole host of other odd things.
Most of this we don't have--some of it we do. I'm happy to LEND out any supplies that can be lent but I generally don't give out non-returnable items (i.e. notecards because once you've used it, it isn't much good to me). All of this is fine. I think it is strange (I always got my own supplies before starting a new school year...when did that stop being de rigeur?) but it is just the way things are, so I deal.
Here's my problem. The number of people who come up and ask me for a pen is astronomical. First off, when you come to the library, presumably you are coming here to study or do some sort of work...so why don't you bring a pen? If you've only come to check email and don't need a pen, but then something comes up and you need to borrow one, cool. But that would be a significantly smaller number than the actuality of things. (And as a side note: when did "pen" become acceptable for writing implement? People ALWAYS ask to borrow a pen, even if a pencil will suffice....it is odd.)
Librarians here are way more willing to part with their pens than I am. Which is probably why there are never any pens at work. We have this HUGE desk with multiple drawers and yet we're always out of pens. I can go back to the supply room and grab a few for my shift, but without fail they will be gone in a day or two. People just don't return borrowed pens. It is one of Murphy's Laws or something.
Okay, so I have learned and now horde a few precious pens in my private drawer at work. I use only my pens during my shift and I DO NOT loan them out. I only have one out at a time and I use that as my excuse. "Can I borrow a pen?" "Sorry, this is my only one. But we have pencils over there you can use."
And that is usually the end of it.
Usually.
Today, it went like this:
"Can I get a pen from you?"
"Sorry, this is my only one. But there are pencils over there (pointing) that you can use."
"I hate pencils. Can I just borrow your pen?"
"No, sorry. Like I said, this is my only one."
"Well, you aren't using it this second (emphasis his, not mine), can't I just borrow it?"
"Sorry, I've been robbed too many times by pen thieves (trying to inject humor) and I need a pen to do my work. So if you don't bring it back, what will I do?" (please note that he NEVER promised to bring it back, like most do)
"Use a pencil." (super, super snotty)
"Well, I suppose I could, but then again, so could you. And I'm not the one who doesn't have a pen." (yeah, I was being snotty in return)
"You're really not going to give me your pen?"
"No, I'm really not. But like I said, plenty of pencils over there"
"That's pretty mean."
"If that's what you think, okay. But I'm guessing next time you'll bring your own pen."
And he walked away. I could hear him muttering something under his breath and I am guessing it wasn't that flattering to me. But, what the hell. If I wanted I could have written the draft of this blog out by hand. IN PEN.
Take that!
library
