Secret Shopper Assignment

   So I visited a smaller library in another county. As far as I can tell from their website, there is only one main branch in this library system. I actually visited this library twice. My first visit was on a Saturday. Upon entering the library, I noticed that it was an had an older-style feel to it. The architecture seemed very similar to my library's original building before we moved to our new location 9 years ago. I followed the signs to the adult reference desk, but found no one sitting there. I self-toured the library and after waiting about a half hour decided to come back another time since no one had shown up at the desk and I hadn't found a librarian while walking around. I figured that since it was a Saturday they were probably operating on a skeleton crew. There were two workers at the circulation desk, but they were busy helping patrons and, being a circulation manager, I didn't want to bother them.

   I next visited on a Friday. Again, I made my way to the reference desk and, again, I found it unmanned. Also, I did not see any literature available at the desk. Though they did seem to be gearing up for a "Blind Date with a Book" program for February. At this point, I decided to just ask a circulation worker for help, even though they may not be a librarian. After waiting my turn, I asked the lady behind the desk if she felt qualified to recommend a book because I just wanted to sit and read for awhile. She seemed a little uncertain, but was consistently welcoming in her demeanor. She never lost her smile. She immediately asked about the last book I had read. I told her that it was I, Saul by Jerry B. Jenkins.

   Mostly under her breath, she admitted that she had never heard of Jerry B. Jenkins, but began typing away at her computer. She then informed me that recommendations were not her specialty, but that the "expert" was at lunch so she would do the best she could. I told her that I always ask tough questions and that it was alright. She then assured me that my question was a "great question." At this point, she asked me if I wanted to read something similar to Jerry B. Jenkins. I told her that would be great.

   Her first suggestion was Tim LaHaye and she asked if I had ever heard of him. I told her that I was pretty sure that he had coauthored some books with Jerry B. Jenkins (knowing full well that he had). She told me that the book she had looked like a stand alone called Thunder of Heaven. I felt like this was a good recommendation, since it was clearly in the same Christian Fiction genre, but I only nodded so I could see how she proceeded. She then said that another option would be The Twelfth Imam by Joel Rosenberg. This was an author I was vaguely familiar with, but wasn't sure if he was Christian Fiction. I asked her what the book was about and she turned the computer screen toward me. At this point, I could tell that she had been using Amazon to help her recommend books. I read the description and told her that that sounded like a good choice. She checked to see if it was on the shelf (it was) and asked if I needed help finding it. I told her I could find it and went to find the book.

   Upon finding the book, I was surprised and pleased to find that Rosenberg was a Christian Fiction author. The book had a sticker on the spine labeling it as such. I also read the first two chapters and found it to be very similar to the type of Christian Fiction I enjoy. In fact, I might have to add it to my ever increasing reading list. 

   Overall, I felt like this was a good experience. Despite her lack of confidence, the circulation worker made sure that I felt comfortable and that my needs were important. More than that, she actually found a book I would read. We didn't have much a conversation about what I wanted as it suggests in "Conducting the Reference Interveiw," (p.167). However, we still arrived at a good recommendation and she was not judgmental, another biggie (p. 175). Since I was dealing with someone who did not have an MLS and probably had little to no experience in RA, I consider my experience a success.

References: Ross, C. S., Nilsen, K., & Dewdney, P. (2002). The readers’ advisory interview. In Conducting the Reference Interview (pp. 163-175). New York: Neal-Schuman.

P.S. I have to admit that once I was done I went back and told the circulation worker that I was really and MLS student doing a homework assignment and that she had done a good job. I just couldn't keep the charade up any longer.