Secret Shopper RA Adventure: It was Bad.

Over the weekend, I visited my parents in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio.  I took this opportunity to complete our secret shopper assignment at the Main Library (ie the scary downtown branch) of Dayton Metro Library.  I haven’t actually been in that library for years. 

As one enters the main floor, there are three very official-looking stations staffed with library personnel.  There is the checkout counter, an information desk (that is literally just what the sign says), and a small desk where patrons sign up to use the library computers.  Of course, I chose the information desk.  I did not feel any discomfort or awkwardness about approaching the librarian at this desk.  Those feelings came later. 

So, I approach the librarian (to be honest, I don’t know if she was an actual librarian or not –like did she have an MLS and a state certification) and I asked her if she could suggest a good mystery or mystery writer.  I explained that I was kind of bored with what I normally read and thought I would give mysteries a try even though I never liked anything about the few mysteries I have read in the past.  This is completely true.    

From that setup, I thought she would at least ask about what books I do typically read and why I didn’t like the mysteries I previously read.  Instead I got “Ohhhh, I don’t know…I don’t like mysteries either.”   Silence.  I started to rephrase my inquiry but then I stopped talking because she was looking over my shoulder and obviously was no longer listening.  I turned around to see that she was staring down some noisy kids and glaring at the 112 year old security guard.  Eventually she remembered I was there and I got this: “Oh yeah, mysteries.  We keep them over there and hey, take a look at our website.  We have staff recommendations and stuff on there.” 

Well, I did look at the website (www.daytonmetrolibrary.org) …but not until I got home. 

The good news is that what I found on the website I really liked.  There are staff recommendations for all different types of fiction.  Patrons can also sign up to receive the Dayton Metro NextReads eNewsletter.  These monthly eNewsletters also cover a lot of different genres and guess what, there is one for mystery.    I took a look at the mystery recommendations and I think I am going to try one (I think I am going to take a crack at Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus series).  I find this funny:  The last line of every eNewsletter is “Contact your librarian for more great books!”

Here’s the other thing I think is funny.  A couple of months ago, I ran across a job listing for a reference librarian for specifically the Main Library of Dayton Metro.   Under job responsibilities, the second item listed is readers’ advisory. 

Personal Profile

Hello...

 

My name is Neela Basu and this is my third semester in the SLIS program. I have lived in Indianapolis for the last three years but I am originally from Dayton, OH. 

 

No plants.  No pets.  

 

I have a bit of an unusual background. My undergraduate degree is in mortuary science and I worked as a funeral director and embalmer in Charlotte, NC for a few years. Since I moved to Indianapolis three years ago, I have worked for Indiana Organ Procurement Organization where I screen patients for potential organ, tissue and cornea donation. In this job, I regularly work with RNs, coroners, pathologists and funeral directors.  Working with this diverse group of people can be both a wonderful and extremely frustrating experience.  As a result of my background and experience, I have developed a pretty morbid sense of humor.  Out of necessity.  Life is often funny and sad at the same time. 

 

So, I work full-time on the night shift during the week. As a result, I am usually slightly disoriented to time and place. I never know what the date is and this has actually presented a bit of a challenge when it comes to making sure I am submitting assignments on the correct due dates.   (Fingers crossed – I haven’t messed anything up yet). 

 

I have a pretty diverse set of interests which is why I was attracted to library science in the first place.  Right now, I am interested in history (specifically colonial India) and medical anthropology.  (If anyone is interested in the subject of medical anthropology, I suggest reading Annie Fadiman's The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down:  A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures.  It's fascinating).

 

As I said in class, I enjoy gritty fiction.  Pulp, hard-boiled, I even like this specialization within horror fiction called splatterpunk.  I like reading about anti-heroes and imperfect people.  

 

I look forward to an interesting semester and getting to know all of you.