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The Infinite Fragility of Being
"What's my email?" asked an elderly gentleman using one of the library's public computers.
"AOL," I replied, not missing a beat.
Not that I have added reading the subconscious mind to my reference skills - I just remember that fact because the last time he had asked the same question was when he had a seizure while waiting for me to get off the phone.
Bet that got your attention. It sure got mine.
Well, to clarify, I had picked up the phone for a customer who had been waiting while I helped a child find some books and then look up the Accelerated Reader points, while the gentleman (I'll call him Henry, not his real name) quavered "Miss..?" (I'll be with you as soon as I finish helping this customer.) "Miss, I need some help..." (I'll be with you in a few minutes.) "Miss, I'm having a seizure."
To customer on phone: I'm sorry, I have an emergency here, may I ask you to hold or call you back?
To Henry: Do you want me to call an ambulance?
Henry: No, it's just my hands. I just can't type this in.
So I sat down beside him and typed in his change of address form for the USPS. That went fine until we got to the blank for his email address, which he couldn't remember. Fortunately, it was just the provider he had forgotten, so I tried;
Hotmail?
No.
Yahoo?
No.
AOL?
Yes, yes, that's it! Let's do my wife's form now!
Ah, the wages of success.
After it all, he assured me he was able to drive home safely and tottered out the door with his walker.
What I took home from that encounter: Remember how fragile people are, even, or especially, when they are ganging up on the reference desk.
Submitted to California Libraries by:
Eve Nyren
CLA Member
Posted on January 21, 2010 8:41 AM | Permalink