Please, Please Listen To Yourself Talk
EDITORS' CHOICE, LIBRARY, STUPID, TECHNOLOGY, USA | RIGHT | JULY 27, 2008
(At our library, the computers are all self-sign up. All you have to do is type in your name and library card number. This is clearly posted on the side of the monitor. In walks a young woman and her boyfriend.)
Young Woman: “Can you help me with this?”
Me: “What’s the problem?”
Young Woman: “I don’t know what to do.”
Me: “The instructions are on the side of the monitor.”
Young Woman: “But why can’t you tell me how to do it?”
Me: “Because it’s SELF-SIGN UP.”
Young Woman: “But I need help!”
Me: “All you have to do is type in your name and library card number.”
Young Woman: “But do I have to read the screen?”
Me: *confused* “Of… course. The screen tells you when to type in your information. You have to read the screen.”
Young Woman: “BUT I DIDN’T COME INTO THE LIBRARY TO READ!”
Young Woman’s Boyfriend: *turns abruptly and walks out the door*
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