(no subject)

[darchildre]

Today, I have a download-instruction session with a patron. It is her fourth or fifth session, I can't remember. She only uses her nook when she travels so, every four months or so, she come in and has me run her through the process so that she can download books to take with her. And she's a nice person and, yes, it is my job to help her access the materials and it's not like she's displacing other patrons who need my time but after three or four sessions it starts to feel less like helpful instruction and more like "do this for me" and I find it unpleasant. (Also, it is a nook and, really, I don't like them at all. And it's an older nook, so it's not app-based and is ever more difficult to work with.)

Eurgh, work, why? I do not want to go to work and tell people how to put library materials on their nooks. I want to stay home and have ridiculous Doctor Who marathons where I watch all the episodes Peter Miles is in* and knit and don't talk to anyone.

Grar.





*Oh, like you don't want to do that.

Comments

[james]

What if you very helpfully offer to write down the instructions for her so she can do it herself whenever she wants! Even if she says no, at least you'll be more clear about her wanting you to do it for her versus really not being able to remember how to do it.

[darchildre]

Unfortunately, we have done that. She has also been pointed to the instruction on the website and I've watched her, every time, take her own notes. Alas, it doesn't stick.

[silveradept]

At a certain point, however, they're taping up more of your time that could be used to help other users. If you can get your manager on board with the idea that they can only come during instruction sessions that you offer, that will free you up from having to deal with the person who won't get it all the time...