Unshelved	by Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum

The continuing saga...

Today: The Staple Guy

The guy who couldn't hang around for a minute or two yesterday to look at my copier and determine what staples they should be sending did come today.

Guy: These aren't the right staples.
Me: Yes, I know.
Guy: They're not even just staples. They've sent you an entire unit. The staples should be a little cube of staples.
Me: So can you tell them what I need?
Guy: Let me look...
[much poking about]
Guy, calling on cell phone: Yes, they (meaning me) didn't make a mistake. They were sent the wrong staples. [Technical description]
Guy: I don't know why they were sending you those staples. They didn't have any finisher listed for you at all. But we think this number on the box is in the computer wrong. It's sort of like a website where you have the wrong URL.
Me: Yes, that's what we thought. So, do they know what to send now?
Guy: They're going to research it and find out where the error is. I'll check back with them later.
Guy then proceeds to show me how the mythical staples, should they ever arrive, fit into the cartridge, after a couple of false tries. He then runs a report.
Guy: I see a lot of 501 errors here.
Me: Yes, sometimes people don't get the paper aligned right and it gives an error on tray 1. I've called and they've told me to turn it off and back on to reset. Any suggestions on preventing that from happening.
[Guy then proceeds to lecture me on the proper paper loading technique. I know how to load the $^%$^ paper, thank you. It's the rest of the yahoos who can't take the time to be careful we have to worry about. At some point he has a phone conversation with the tech we used to have, telling him about the discovery and possible problem for this model. Eventually, he leaves.]
Me: Asshole.

(Fortunately the only person to hear this was one of the computer tech guys, which is ironic, I guess. We have a discussion about pedantic guys who treat women like they don't know how to wipe their own bottoms when it comes to technology. Further irony, I suppose, since some women at work seem to react to him like that, but really, he doesn't dismiss people for not knowing anything because of what they are, but, well, because they usually don't know what they're talking about, at least in terms of tech. Which is why he doesn't treat me that way. I'm up front about what I don't understand, and usually ask about things I don't understand, and he's happy to explain. I take it as a learning opportunity. Others may take it as patronising, I guess.)

Later I get a phone call from the guy, who has researched the problem himself and discovered the correct staples to be sent. I will not call this the thrilling conclusion. That will be when I actually have the freaking staples in the machine and working. But, at least it's progress, right?

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I couldn't handle the 'Dysfunctional Care Bear, so I'm posting this one instead...

You're An Intellectual!
You can always be found reading or on the computer.
People always come to you when they need
information. You don't really care about love
at this point, your only goal is to improve
your mind. After all, knowledge is power!


What Type Of Anime Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

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Nice to see it worked

Kentucky's first use of the Amber Alert, a way to broadcast information regarding a missing child, paid off. The alert was issued around 9am this morning and apparently someone in Louisville spotted the described car and called police around 10am. About 45 minutes later, there was another call which led to the teenager being found and taken to the hospital for observation. The latest details are here.

Also, suspects have been taken into custody in a series of child molestation/indecent exposure cases over four nearby counties--with two of those cases occurring in public libraries. The suspects are a man and wife. The wife is supposed to have accompanied him during the encounters, and the news reports also say the case may turn uglier due to suspected child pornography.

The cases have people really thinking about what's safe. Molestations in libraries, playgrounds, and fairs? Well, yeah, it's not really surprising, given the fact that there are sick people out there, you can't watch a child every minute, and, quite frankly, a lot of people don't bother to watch their children. When I worked at a comic store, parents would just boot the kids out of the van and come back eventually. Ask any public librarian if this happen, and they'll agree. While there's no reason to be paranoid, the fact of the matter is that no place is truly 'safe'. You can't just assume that a school or a camp or library, or for that matter, a neighbour's house is safe. And it's not just sexual abuse. It's 'accidents' like a kid playing with a gun or running a bike up the concrete dividers between a major street and a bus station, or (and I'm guilty of this one) kids who decide 'no swimming' doesn't preclude wading and have no idea that the lake is infested with cottonmouths. I don't know how parents manage not to seal their kids up and stifle them or just go mad thinking of what ifs. And it just gets harder when they get older. A co-worker and I were talking about her daughter's impending start of high school and the attitude that's already going with it. I characterised the teen years as 'that time you want them to separate, to become independent, to become their own person, without getting killed in the process'. She agreed. In a way I was too enmeshed with my mom during my teen years (and the divorce didn't help) to do all that painful, angsty growing. I didn't start until I was away at college, and then I got too enmeshed with the guy I eventually married (yes, I finally got the be-your-own-person-not-them thing, but hey, it took until my late 20s). I was a 'good kid' who didn't rebel. But you know, a lot of kids who do aren't 'bad'. They're just misunderstood teens trying to get through what is probably the worst years of anyone's life. I wish kids could get a 'do over', so you wouldn't have kids that die, or overdose, or are paralysed for life, etc. But we don't get them. If we're lucky, we survive them, and that builds wisdom.

On the other hand, just because a kid sometimes has to burn his hand to realise something's hot doesn't mean you need to throw gas on the fire, either. That's where law enforcement and vigilant parents and for that matter vigilant everybody else come into play, and things like lists of sex offenders or tips for safety or just a 'do you really think that toddler should be perched on top of a mowing machine?' may come into play, one kid at a time. Kids are are future. And even those of us who don't have any should be willing to step in when stupidity is evident--no matter what our private thoughts of 'evolution in action' may be. And let me just give a big hand to all those parents out there who do try to do what's best for their kids. Your kids may not appreciate you now, but someday (maybe when they have kids of their own), they will. Trust me on that. Awhile ago, in the midst of dealing with a teen who was not so easy, my mom thanked me for being a good kid. Well, I'm glad she was a good mom. Maybe she didn't necessarily have all the answers, and I'm sure if she had it to do again, she'd do some things differently. But for where we were, and how we were, and all that--she did pretty well. She still worries about me--that never goes away, I guess, but we're in a position now of adults with a lot of shared experiences, and it's a whole new level, and I have to say I like it. That's what happens after those teen years are behind you, after all. Isn't that great?

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A blast from the past...

A co-worker kept popping in today spouting off what little Spanish she knew (about eight words) and I started singing 'Don Gato' to her. She'd never heard it, and I couldn't remember all the words. But fear not. I am a professional librarian, so it took me three seconds to locate online. So, if you're in the same boat, go here to the version I learnt as a child. I do remember the tune, but I don't know how to play or record it in any fashion you would know. If you catch me in person, though, I'll happily sing it for you. I must play with this site more. Perhaps they have all the 'Miss Lucy' songs, too?

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AMBER ALERT!

An "Amber Alert", is activated by Law Enforcement Agencies when they receive a report of a suspected abducted child.

The Kentucky State Police have issued an Amber Alert at 0915, 07/31/03

The girl's name is "Mika".
13? yr. old Black. Female
5'2" Black Hair, Dark Brown Eyes
Wearing a yellow halter top with blue jeans.

She was abducted from a hotel in Shelbyville, Ky this morning by a
Black Male
6'3"-6'4" with heavy upperbody build.
Driving a older model Silver Ford Crown Victoria
KY Reg.. 857-JED.
This man is armed with a silver pistol and is to be considered very dangerous.
If you see this car, please call Kentucky State police or your local Law Enforcement agency.

This isn't showing up on the Web Amber Alert ticker yet, but you may want to try there later for more details. Also, WLEX, a Lexington television station, has additional details here. In that story, two males are described, the victim is described as 16, and the car was last seen driving towards Louisville.

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It was a dark and stormy night...

Okay, not stormy, just a little hazy. But it was night, and it was dark, and she muttered to herself as she tried to get the key to turn in the lock. Dang humidity! Reaching into her capacious bag, she brought out a mechanical pencil and opened it up to reveal a lead. Pressing the graphite rod against the key, she proceeded to pulverise the rod as best she could, then attempted to put the key in once more. On the other side of the door a wailing could be heard. At last! The key turned and she strode into the room, nearly toppling over a glass jar on the floor and watching six glowing eyes greet her. Hurridly she turned on the light and brought forth the offering of Kit and Kaboodle to satisfy the cats who had strewn debris across her entryway in an attempt to punish her for having been so late in bringing dinner. (Thank you cat food fairy!!!) At once they fell to their meal, leaving her to blog in peace. Her dog, who would have been happy to have her home with or without such offerings, promptly ate and then rolled on the couch in glee. All was right with the universe again.

:)

I had a good workout at the gym. The elliptical is giving me some problems, but I increased my treadmill time, speed, and incline and my bike workout from level 1 to level 5. I remembered to bring headphones today so I got to watch TV. It is very interesting to exercise to 'Murder, She Wrote' and 'Dragonball Z'.

As to the staples saga (didst thou think I had forgotten???) We recently purchased a new digital copier at work which is absolutely marvelous. Unfortunately, there seems to be a misunderstanding as to the finisher on our model, which is itself brand spanking new. So here's the saga:


The new copier with the bells and whistles stops stapling without warning. Turns out the cartridge is empty. Dang! I should have ordered them sooner, but I assumed it would tell me when it was getting low, like it does with the other supplies.
Me: I'd like to order toner and staples for our machine, serial #...., please.
Customer Service: The toner is covered by your contract, but I need a PO (purchase order) for the staples. Would you like me to go ahead and order the toner?
Me: Yes, please. I'll check with purchasing about getting a PO.
---
That day, I fill out a requisition, giving the phone #, machine serial #, and our current meter read and, after getting my boss' signature, send it to purchasing.
---
Purchasing: I need a meter read.
Me: Did you check the requisition?
Purchasing: Oh. (Heads back to the other side of the building. I rather think she enjoyed getting away from her desk for a few moments and is saddened by the prospect of going back.)
---
All goes well. The order is placed. I receive the toner in a couple of days. People are coping fine with my note regarding the staples because, although less convenient, I have a high-power electric stapler nearby. There are few complaints.
---
A few days later...where are the staples? I am beginning to get some grumblings.
---
At last, staples! 2 boxes, as ordered! But, wait! They are of the incorrect size! They are not even designed the same. Arrrgghhh!!! They will not fit!!!!
---
Me (holding the original cartridge and the two boxes of useless staples): They sent us the wrong staples.
Purchasing (comparing them and writing down the number): Is this the order number (pointing at a sticker)?
Me: I don't know. In the past I've just told them our serial number and they knew what to send.
Purchasing: Okay, I'll send these back.
---
Days pass.
---
Purchasing goes on vacation. I check with her boss. No word. Our heavy-duty stapler runs out of staples. Fortunately I have an extra cartridge. I order more just in case this goes on much longer.
---
A month since the original order. Purchasing is back from vacation. I e-mail her about the status of the staples. She replies that she had called twice and they were supposed to be sending new ones and picking up the bad ones.
---
Me: I'd like to check on the status on an order please...
[after pleasant customer service lady goes and tracks the order, we determine that it arrived at work the day before]
Me (to Receiving): Are the staples for the library copier in?
Receiving: Yes, we're just checking to make sure they're the right ones.
---
Two days pass, bringing us to today.
---
Receiving: I have something for you (handing me two boxes).
I open them. They are the incorrect staples. Again. He looks at them and verifies that, yes, indeed, they are not the same. I call Customer Service.
---
Me: I'm having some trouble getting the right staples for my machine.
Customer Service: Ooh, I don't like the sound of that. What is your serial number?
[After looking up the orders, she decides that they may have the incorrect finisher in their records, pages a tech to come look at our machine and determine the correct configuration, and thanks me for being so nice about it.]
Me: Well, if it makes you feel any better, our last company had a lot of trouble with staples, too.
Customer Service: Oh, but we're supposed to better than the competition.
---
Tech: I understand you're having some trouble with your machine.
Me: Yes, apparently there's a question of which staples we require for our finishers. The CS rep said you'd come look at it so we could get the right ones.
Tech: That's exactly what I'll do. I'll see you sometime this afternoon.
---
Time passes. We have a fire alarm, which was a drill, but of course we didn't know that at the time. They like to keep us on our toes, being in a hospital.
---
Tech: I'm here to look at the library copier.
Receptionist: We're having a fire alarm. Please wait until they sound the all clear.
Tech: How long will that take.
Receptionist: I don't know.
Tech: I can't sit around all day waiting. Tech leaves. 30 seconds later the receptionist calls me and gives me the news.
---
I call Customer Service and explain what happened and that the tech couldn't be bothered to wait a minute or so, but if she pages him right now, she might catch him in the parking lot.

Sigh. I'm still waiting for the tech. And the %%^$^ staples!!! I am beginning to think I'm going to have to take the bus downtown to their office and show them the cartridges myself.

I feel like it's a soap opera, and the action is progressing about 5 minutes at a time even though a month has passed. Turn in next time for the (hopefully) chilling conclusion!

PS This was never covered in library school. Thank goodness for Paxil and a natural sense of resignation, um, humour.

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Life is good--Dwana's back at work

Today's quote: 'He smiled at me! I know it's only gas, but he smiled at me!' (Dwana talking about a friend's newborn).

Today has been much better than yesterday. Maybe because Dwana was at work and I feel like I'm not alone in the world. Maybe it's because I did bring my lunch today. Maybe it's because I've had some caffeine. Maybe it's because I actually remembered to take my Paxil. :) I woke up feeling better in general, and although I started the day a little rough (I'm not sure if it was an asthma attack or a panic attack, but I wasn't feel too well when I got here today). But things perked up after she came in. Despite some health issues, she's pretty chipper and her sense of humour is contagious; it's hard to be depressed around her. Like the cavalry, she's bring some cat food for the animals tonight. Yay! That was my main worry. Everything else can wait till payday.

I'll blog later about today's main challenge--the continuing staples saga. For now, I'm off to the gym. Adieu!

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Are you sure it's not Monday?

Okay, today was rather sucky. On a scale from 1 to 10, I'd put it at a 3, 4 tops. But still, it's good to keep things in perspective. I got a lot done at work today, despite no caffeine and just a Slim-Fast shake. No, I'm not trying to lose weight. (Well, okay, it'd be nice, but that's not why I had it. The Slim-Fast powder is part of my too-poor-to-live stash.) In my infinite (not!) wisdom, I paid bills and even managed to pay the most important bill--my rent--but I don't have so much as change for the little incidentals of life, and like an idiot I forgot to bring my lunch. But, I came home and--having found a couple of pieces of bread and enough peanut butter to get my blood sugar up--I cooked up some red beans and rice for tomorrow. Yay! I can handle being poor. But sometimes idiocy is a little harder to handle. So, I have no one to blame but myself for feeling rotten most of the day. Once I got some food into my system, the world seemed a happier place. Maybe if everyone had plenty to eat we could get rid of wars, hmmm?

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Today's Tidbits

From the would-you-like-fries-with-that department...Fast Food, Obesity, and Hospitals

I love this doctor's commentary, a snippet of which reads:
Recently, one of my colleagues, a cardiologist, confessed to me over a low-fat salad that it would be more intellectually honest if our hospital named its new Cardiovascular Center after Wendy's, as opposed to the donor who merely contributed 50 million bucks to its construction. "After all," he quipped, "the monetary gift is quickly spent, but with all these burgers and fries, the patients keep coming and coming as far as the eye can see."

[Medscape articles are free with registration]

Need to know what a lab test means?

Try Lab Tests Online

An institution falls to the oeconomy

The Medical Library Centre of New York is closing its doors after 43 years of service, yet another victim of the current sluggish oeconomy. For a tribute, see Founding Director Erich Meyerhoff's comments. To add your own to a collection of memories that will be archived, e-mail Robert Dempsey.

And no one seems immune--even 'the World's Greatest Philanthropy' is having difficulties

Shriners face financial crunch, and some of its children's hospitals may close
Shriners' hospital faces dilemma
Shriners hospitals in trouble...
Money woes may force cuts at Shriners hospitals
Struggling Shriners hospital in Minneapolis survives vote to shut down
Shriners Hospitals to expand system study

Want to support the Public Library of Science?

Here are some tools for you.

New website to address Arctic health concerns

Okay, I know, I live nowhere near the Arctic Circle. I just think this is really neat. Check it out at: www.arctichealth.org

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Thank goodness Monday's over

And for those who may be concerned, all of my pets were fine when I got home tonight. Buns seems to have had his stomach settle. Spock is as oblivious as ever, of course, and Darius is perched high on one of the bookshelves imperially surveying his terrain. Cerys does not realise it yet, but tonight, she gets to be VIP--Very Important Pet. Meaning that she, and not the cats, will be allowed in the bedroom. She's a cuddler and not given to bouncing on my face at night. Hurrah!

All in all it was a good day, although a weird one. Who knows what could lie ahead on Tuesday? Tune in tomorrow for another chapter of The Rabid Librarian's Adventures in Lisaland: A Cautionary Tale.

PS As much as I like the Lucida font in theory, it really screwed up my ability to use italics. So, off with its head, and on to other, more standard fonts!

Oh, gee, I really should just go to bed, right?

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Mail gleanings for today...

Looking for library promotion resources to tie in with the movie Seabiscuit?

Check out Stephanie Stokes Design's newsletter.

Celebrate National Kids Day

National Kids Day (NKD) is Sunday, August 3. National Kids Day is sponsored by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, who are asking everyone to spend meaningful time with children--especially that day. Several libraries are conducting NKD activities prior to August 3. For more information, and suggestions on what your library can do to promote the day, please refer to the Breaking News section of the ALSC website, or the Kids Day website.

Is the US getting too insular in its reading tastes?

The New York Times has an interesting article entitled: America Yawns at Foreign Fiction that examines this.

The ALA responds to CIPA

Check it out

FCC issues order on CIPA compliance

This is available in several formats:

• Word
  
• PDF
  
• TXT
  

New publication on Gender and Health

Exploring Concepts of Gender and Health, a new guide for the implementation of gender-based analysis (GBA) for health research and policy from Canada.

Looking for a job in New York?

Online Analyst National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) Middle Atlantic Region

...or perhaps the Carribbean is more your cup of tea?

The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine on the island of St. Maarten in the Netherland Antilles is seeking a full-time, medical librarian for the position of Director of Library Services.

Responsibilities: Management and supervision of programs and services of the medical library. The librarian will supervise staff; maintain, select and organise print and electronic resources for the faculty and students; perform reference services.

Qualifications: Masters degree in library and information sciences from an ALA, accredited institution with at least 3 years experience in a medical library setting.

Salary: $50,000-$55,000 (housing allowance included in that range).

Please send your resume to Ms Jerry Stuenkel or to Dr William Thurman, Academic Dean. You may also fax to Ms Stuenkel at 248-623-9548 or to Dr Thurman at 011-599-545-2440. Questions concerning the position should be sent to Ms Stuenkel.

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Think everything's going well with our 'reconstruction' of Iraq? Ask the Iraqis.

An Iraqi member of the Reconstruction Council resigns. (Thanks to Salam Pax for that link.)

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Legendary entertainer Bob Hope dies

A legend is dead. Bob Hope died last night at age 100. I knew it was probably coming--he's been very frail of late, but that still didn't keep a gasp of surprise from escaping when I went online a few minutes ago. The sheer number of peple he cheered--going into war zones, even, is astounding. Rest in peace, sir.

An update on our efforts to help a family

This was sent regarding the cancer patient we've been trying to help. Notice the bolded information about the car. If you know of anyone who has a reliable vehicle they no longer need, I'm sure there's some way to write it off their taxes through the benefit.

Thank you so very much for your outpour of compassion, love, support, prayers and all your items for the yard sale.......... The yard sale was a GREAT SUCCESS, we earned almost $2000 for all the goodies that were donated. We have a total of $2258 in Joe Allen Slone Benefit Fund. If you would like to donate or know of anyone that would like to, you can mail donations to :
Central Bank
c/o Michelle Castro for Joe Slone Benefit Fund
256 Southland Drive
Lexington, KY. 40503
This money will certainly help the family out. But they are still in need of a reliable car. The car that they used to get to Memphis in, was totaled out on Tuesday. A tornado went through Memphis on July 22. A tree fell on the car. This family has had more than their share of bad, bad luck.

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