Bunch of fun

It was back to the Practicum library again today. Goody.

And, as it turned out, it was a day full of interesting and fun questions and some really fun people, including an adorable little girl in all pink and very pleased with herself. First was a patron trying to look for an old book entitled A Pail of Oysters, a disturbing book of war and atrocity that he hasn't been able to locate -- nor forget from the past. Never located it in a library. Did find it on Amazon. Amazin', huh!

Car care -- and though there weren't exactly the books he wanted, he was able to adapt what was available to his needs. What a lovely young man he was!

A gluten-free child's diet book was next and we found the perfect book for her! She was SO pleased.

A delightful lady asked for books on Access and Excel -- and turned out to really want the formulas for Excel. Online there is a great and easily accessible list.

Various holds for titles.

And a fascinating young man came in asking for information on the changes in corn/bean fields in the Plainfield area (a burgeoning area) measuring land use change from just before the 1990 horrendous tornado that ripped through areas of Plainfield, Joliet and Crest Hill to the years after it. He has to turn in a draft on Monday and he has to go to work on Monday, too. Last minute. No surprise. Plat books really helped to show how land usage has changed and changed hands over the years. He started to get excited about his assignment. I think he had been floundering with no direction to go -- and he needs 25 resources! We found a few items he could copy that helped him to synthesize the information he needed.

I also got to practice my Spanish skills with the charming lady who spoke not one word of English. We managed -- surprisingly well as I don't often get to use my language skills (which, alas, are really French, and, ready?, Latin - *sigh* Omnia Gallia in tres partes divisa est. Need I go on?)

Found out too that their microfilm machine is a bit of a trick -- not to mention the maze of wires and procedural steps to make a copy of the desired resource. Egads. But at least the patron interested in the obituary from the local tiny newspaper from Feb. 10, 1957 was able to have it. A relative. I think we whizzed the microfilm off the roll just twice. The machine had two speeds: slow and HOLY COW - wait a minute!!! Have you ever tried to catch flying microfilm?

Also have a recommendation for a great restaurant (of sorts) in Balltown, Iowa called Breitbach's. Anyone been there? Well, if not, I was advised that that is THE place to go. The patron simply wanted their phone number so he could call ahead to make sure they are open when he and his family arrive in the area. That's planning!

It's such a great thing to hear a huge thank-you from several patrons in a day. Makes you feel as though it IS worthwhile. And besides, finding all this information might help someone else even better. This is fun. A smiling face and a thank-you are great rewards. And that darned microfilm zinging by....