Category Archives: Customer Service

“Nope. Sorry. Not my Strength.” Not Acceptable!!

Posted on February 8, 2013 by cbecker53

Great post on All Things Workplace about strengths.  Read it!  I agree, it’s important to focus on strengths, and it makes sense to hire people to do the things they are best at.  However, sometimes we all have to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptable Behavior, Communication, Customer Service, Employees, Management, Public Libraries, Supervision | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

You never Know…

Posted on January 9, 2013 by cbecker53

You never know who might be quietly admiring your library, and planning to reward you someday. You should always be putting customer service first, of course, without ulterior motives.  You should be providing remarkable customer service because it’s the right … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer Service, Funding, Fundraising, Public Libraries | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Libraries as Part of Support Network

Posted on November 12, 2012 by cbecker53

Yes, so we all know about dialing 911 in an emergency.  But how many know about 211—”an easy-to-remember three-digit phone number that brings people and services together”?  From their “About” page: The mission of 2-1-1 US is to ensure that … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer Service, Library in Community, Library Partnerships, Public Libraries | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Telling the Story: Why is YOUR Library Essential?

Posted on November 6, 2012 by cbecker53

Yes, the economy is tight.  Yes, funding bodies are telling libraries “we love libraries, but there’s just no more money.”  But, with the right blend of statistics, anecdotes, and persuasion, you can influence elected officials, who can, in turn find … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Customer Service, Funding, Library in Community, Promotion, Public Libraries, Public Speaking | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Diversity is the Spice of Libraries

Posted on November 1, 2012 by cbecker53

A recent Public Libraries article ties in with my last post. “Meeting the Needs of Diverse Communities” offers suggestions and examples for addressing the challenges of serving the ever more diverse communities that libraries serve. I always say, “Can’t we … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer Service, Public Libraries, Selection | Tagged , | Leave a comment

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T!” Sing it, Aretha!

Posted on October 30, 2012 by cbecker53

Several things prompt me to write this post: The upcoming election, all the campaign ads and press touting candidates, and the lack of respect from candidates toward their opponents. Learning about a series of programs at the Hedberg Public Library … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer Service, Hiring, Library Programs, Persons with Disabilities, Public Libraries, Selection | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Greetings!

Posted on October 18, 2012 by cbecker53

I recently learned that the Mount Laurel Library (NJ) has had staff positions called “Greeter” since 2005 or so.  If I heard about this at the time, I’d forgotten until Retiring Guy drew my attention to it. How great is … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer Service, Employees, Public Libraries | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bringing the Library to Your Home!

Posted on October 5, 2012 by cbecker53

I spent last week in Minnesota with my mother and sister; much of the week was actually spent in the hospital in Rochester, because my 91-year-old mother had some kind of incident, probably a very tiny stroke or seizure.  She … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer Service, Elderly, Library in Community, Persons with Disabilities, Public Libraries | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

What Makes a Good Library Professional?

Posted on October 2, 2012 by cbecker53

I’ve been helping out with a public library system director search process.  I love hiring and interviewing; I don’t know why, I just do.  This process has gone very well, partly because of a very good committee. Anyway, we’ve had … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Customer Service, Decision-making, Employees, Hiring, Leadership, Management, Public Libraries, Recruitment, Selection, Strategic Planning | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Every Reader Her Book

Posted on September 7, 2012 by cbecker53

Reading Jennifer Burek Pierce’s An Old Friend in the Library (American Libraries, August 2012) brings to mind my 91-year-old mother, and how she is no longer really able to use her public library.  It also brings to mind Ranganathan’s Five Laws … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer Service, Elderly, Policies, Public Libraries | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments