Ahh, school. Me and school don’t get along no more. Maybe this is symptomatic of grad school? Perhaps there has been so much school I am merely bitter and my heart has been replaced with pooey kitty litter?

So my Jive Ass Pr’fessor (NOT to be confused with Pr’fessor Hottie) was hoobley-hobbling on and on about how the customer service model should be applied to library service.

He spent a few minutes soliciting suggestions about how we can expand the reference interview if the question is as simple as, “What’s the postal code for Alaska?” in order to find out more information about the true nature of the user’s need.

Someone raised the point that you could offer some information about yourself, such as, “Oh, I have a brother who lives in Alaska.” According to the library laws (I guess) this may prompt the user to reply, “I’m sending a package there, (or) I’m finding out to settle a bet, etc, etc.” So you can help them the best way.

This prompted me to write the girl sitting next to me a note:

The SJ Alexander Model of Offering Information To The Questioner, In Order To Ascertain The True Nature of Their Need

Questioner: “Can you help me find some books on metacognition?”

Me: “Sometimes I lay on my kitchen floor and cry.”

Questioner: *runs*

Me: “Heh heh.”

In Other News

Does anyone else think that the new insipid, condescending J-Lo song should really be rewritten to be “I’m Just Jenny Smoking Cocks?” Cause I do. Obviously. And I can’t get that version out of my head.

Did you know that if she marries Ben Whofleck she will become “J-Aff?” Not so cool now, eh, J-AFF????