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February 03, 2010
The Importance of a Good Reference Interview
Teenager: I am looking for a book about ancient whales.
Me: What?
Teenager: I’m looking for a book about ancient whales.
Me: You mean, like, really, really old whales?
Teenager: Yes, like, before the middle ages.
Me: … Wait, you mean Wales the country.
Teenager: Yes.
Me: Okay, then.
I think it would have been an easier question to answer if it had been ancient whales, but we finally got there.
Posted by adrienne at February 3, 2010 09:32 PM
Comments
Hehehe... ancient whales...
Posted by: Abby at February 3, 2010 10:15 PM
Mama said there'd be days when we're homonym challenged. Although, I have this great book on narwhals...
Posted by: tanita at February 4, 2010 08:00 AM
HA! Hope you are doing well today :-].I love you!
Posted by: momster at February 4, 2010 08:44 AM
It's sorta like the Library of the Absurd for a moment.
Posted by: jules at February 4, 2010 10:22 AM
"You mean, like, really, really old whales?"
My favorite line! LOL
Posted by: Sabrina at February 4, 2010 11:02 AM
Hee! Thanks for the smile :). Unless he meant "ancient wails." (Really old people crying.)
Posted by: jama at February 4, 2010 02:40 PM
I have a feeling it would have taken me a LOT longer to get to the "Wales" conclusion. I probably would've discreetly googled "ancient whales" while talking to the patron. hmmmmm...now you've got me wondering what the results of that google search would be! :)
Posted by: melissa at February 5, 2010 07:52 AM
Moments like these are humbling and absolutely necessary for a librarian from time-to-time.
Melissa, I remember doing reference before Google, but I've gotten so used to using it in these kinds of situations. I wound up Googling "Ancient Wales," even, to give me more of an idea of where to go.
Posted by: adrienne at February 6, 2010 04:17 PM
Love this.
LOVE THIS.
Am now picturing Whales on Stilts.
Posted by: Little Willow at February 7, 2010 07:56 PM
And now *I'm* picturing that new Jasper Dash book, which I have STILL NOT READ. I must get with the program.
Posted by: adrienne at February 7, 2010 10:47 PM
Not a library story but..I was driving the 14 year old girl babysitter home. Making conversation, I asked if she had brothers or sisters. She said, "Yes, I have a brother but he's in Wales." And I exclaim, "Oh, study abroad! How wonderful!" and she replied, "No ma'am, Wales Wisconsin." Which is where the juvenile detention facility was located.
Posted by: Natalie Bernstein at February 12, 2010 01:43 PM
Natalie, Oh my. That must have given you a start.
Posted by: adrienne at February 12, 2010 03:20 PM