Public Service… make them coming back for more!

It’s been one of those days… I’m exhausted from the past week’s programs, I’m currently updating the website, trying to work on marketing materials, planning program and attending meetings – I’m looking forward to the weekend to say the least, but it’s been a really exceptional day for customer service.  A few stories just from today:
This morning we had a Parent/Child Workshop as part of our Family Place grant and we have one family who is teaching their daughter to be bilingual in Mandarin and English.  As soon as I hear, I’m automatically jealous, because I’d love to be bilingual, but just haven’t found the time to devote to another language.  But mom had some concerns about language development and teaching both languages.  We assured her that it’s a great idea to start learning languages at a young age and we found a few books in our collection that teach Mandarin and I think one or two that are bilingual in Mandarin and English.  She was so thankful for the extra help and couldn’t wait to take the books home.
Another mom had been having some difficulties with her young son and is now working with addition aides and the change in her child (and herself) is a great improvement.  We were able to hook this family up with a great ABC puzzle that can be checked out of the library for mom to take home and practice the letters with her son.  We kept an eye on him, while she went to check the puzzle out and even came back with another toy she found for him as well.  She is so much more relaxed and was so thankful for our help.
Right after lunch a pre-K teacher came in looking for books about Purim, Passover, and St. Patrick’s Day for her toddlers and preschoolers and was so happy with the number of things I was able to find on the shelves – both stories and informational text.  She appreciated the extra help and gave me a big thank you.
It’s not about how tired I am, how much work I have to do, or anything else that’s going on.  It’s about helping the people that come into the library to the best of our ability.  Will we always have what everyone needs?  Probably not.  But, the important thing is to try and help where we can.  I think this is one of those things that you can’t ever forget when you work with the public.  And when that family tells their friends or neighbors about their experience in the library – you know it’s going to be good!