What makes a library lovely.

Not much new in reading news today, except that I'd like to give a BIG shout-out to my librarian friend Katharine, who invited me to her library this week to see a photography display* she'd put up, and to grab a coffee. The display was beautiful, and a good time was had by all. (I also got to see two of my other favorite local librarians, Katie and Gregg, while I was there.) The library which I visited remains one of my least favorite in terms of its parking lot and design, but I felt very warmly towards it yesterday because of the three aforementioned librarians who made it just lovely, proving once again that, for me at least, the people (and not the building) make the library.

One of those fantastic librarians also noted that she had previously had a problem getting this site to accept her comment. If this has happened to you, I apologize. I think the problem is that I use TypePad to write the blog, but my domain name is hosted through another service, so if either of those pieces are being hinky for the day (which does happen) I think it gums up the commenting works. If you have regular problems with this please do let me know at realstory@tds.net; otherwise, I'm hoping it's just various technology pieces clunking up against each other periodically. Again, I apologize--I love your comments and I hate to think of someone taking the time to write one and then not having it "take."

In other hilarious, completely unrelated-to-reading news, yesterday I got a call from my cat's vet, reporting that her bloodwork, done in anticipation for a tooth extraction, was all fine. As I told Mr. CR, I'm going to ask my vet if he can be my doctor too. Of the seemingly gallons of blood and urine samples I've given the human medical establishment over the past few years, I can promise you that NOT ONCE has anyone ever called to report on them, fine or otherwise.** So if you're looking for responsive and humanistic health care, I would suggest seeing your local vet.

*I checked out a photography book called Things Once Seen, by Richard Quinney, because I loved the title, and can't wait to look it over. Katharine, you're the bestest.

**I take it back: once I got a letter listing various results from a blood test, but it was from a test taken by an insurance company, not by my healthcare "provider."

Comments

[lesbrarian]

Agreed. Bubby's vet made me feel all warm and fuzzy. She spent a lot of time discussing results and options with me (including cheap generic options available at the grocery store), AND she was really sweet about everything when Bubby peed on her. My human doctor is okay, but I don't imagine he'd be very understanding if I peed on him.

On a related note: I have checked out the book about Oscar, the cat grim reaper who went around predicting people's death. I am hoping for a morbid and darkly funny story, but I am alarmed to see that the cover is done in soft colors with frilly typesetting and words such as "heartwarming" and "inspiring."

[Citizen Reader]

Lesbrarian!
I am glad you like your vet too. (I've had some lousy vets in the past too, so I am so thankful to have found a good one.) Yes, vets seem to be more understanding in general. My cat did a lot of hissing and mewling at the vet this week, and my vet only responded, cheerfully, "She's a talker!" When I whimper at the doctor (I'd like to hiss but am usually too frightened) I seem to get more eye-rolls and "suck it up" looks instead. I hope that all is well with you and Bubby, and the other two kitties as well.

Um, yeah, never say never (I did like the cat book "Dewey," after all, huge cat book sucker that I am) but I think your hopes for a dark and/or funny story in the Oscar book might be a bit optimistic...let me know how it is, though.

[Rachael]

I think vets actually get training in bedside manner and dealing with owners. I walk into my vets office, and they are immediately asking about whichever pet I don't have with me, offering free samples, chatting about life, and can remember previous conversations (hey, is your kitchen done yet? what tile did you pick) even months after my last visit. *My* doctor? Not so much. Nice people, but not personable.

(Last year they added a very hot vet with a wicked Russian accent, and I blubbered all over him when my dog died. Still cannot face him. They stayed open two hours late on a Saturday so I could sit with my dog before I let them put him to sleep. Good people.)

[Beth]

the library is 100% the people and not the building. while a good location and design is nice, it's the human part that makes the library :) that's important for anyone to understand that wants to know why we'd cut materials rather than people, or hours rather than people, etc.

[sherry]

Unfortunately, there's a factor at my local library that makes it decidedly unlovely -- the smell. The staff is warm, personable and professional but it smells like body odor the minute you enter through the front doors. The facility could use an extreme makeover but that won't happen. It's doing its best just to stay open.

[Beth]

sherry, if the building always smells terrible, say something about it to the staff. oftentimes, we get patrons who could have a little bit better hygeine, but if we can withstand it and don't think it's just horrific, we won't make them leave (we don't like kicking people out of the public library). but if we get patron complaints, sometimes we'll approach a person and explain the situation, maybe asking them to the leave for the day etc.
it might not help, but it can't hurt to ask.

[Venta]

i love the bedside manner of vets. someone always calls the next day to see how the ailing animal is doing. i like my doctor, but i don't get a phone call the day after seeing him asking how i'm doing with my injury/illness/pain.

[Citizen Reader]

Rachael,
Well, whatever bedside training they're putting vets through, don't you think they could have one small class on that for doctors too?

Beth,
I agree with you that the people are the draw, which is why I'm always so pissed when I see millions and millions squandered on new fancy buildings (when the old ones probably would have been fine, with a facelift), and meanwhile salaries and hours are cut and all the "librarian" jobs with better pay and benefits are being converted to paraprofessional jobs. What's hilarious is that I worked in a new library building, and we had NONSTOP problems with our HVAC, floor, paint job, you name it. So clearly keeping maintenance costs low has nothing to do with the drive for new, new, new. (Sorry. It's obviously a hot-button issue for me.)

[Citizen Reader]

Oh, Sherry, that is a shame, and unpleasant for everyone. I wonder if it's because of current patrons or just a funk in the carpet that won't go away? (When you see what all goes on in libraries, unfortunately, you start to understand how funks can start.) I wonder if shampooing the carpet would make a difference. I salute your library's staff for doing what they can to counteract that.

(And Beth, thank you for your suggestions as well. Sometimes you do have to take steps just so other people in a library can work--I know we used to get patrons who could make your eyes water at 50 paces.)

Venta,
Yeah, the calling with results, calling with concern, acting like human beings in general, all traits that seem to be largely absent from human health care. Maybe as they try to "reform" it they could talk to some vets about how they manage to be courteous, employ helpful staff, and stay in business? Clearly it can be done. Probably because health insurance companies don't have their hooks all into vet care yet.

[katharine]

it was my pleasure to put together a photography display, let me know what you'd like next. thanks for the kind words CR

[Melissa]

My vet also always calls me with test results. What really surprises me is when my dentist actually calls me the day after a filling-just a simple filling-to check up on me, make sure I'm feeling ok, that my filling feels ok. The first time he did it I was shocked. During the whole call I kept thinking he must have some ulterior motive for calling.