tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7993336615804101356.post222356687106627951..comments2023-04-01T02:52:03.468-07:00Comments on The Six Foot Librarian: Rantings of an <strike>Public</strike> Academic Librarian: The Multi-Tasking LibrarianAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00940320567145342621noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7993336615804101356.post-25265083629125625932012-02-21T15:42:49.920-08:002012-02-21T15:42:49.920-08:00Good answer, Gail.Good answer, Gail.Sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13136431149923888198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7993336615804101356.post-64782081090835456712012-02-15T14:36:30.886-08:002012-02-15T14:36:30.886-08:00The great fallacy of multitasking is that more wor...The great fallacy of multitasking is that more work and be done with less staff and done well. The rude fact of multitasking is that less gets done and often half-assed. I can't prepare a computer class while I'm shelving books or covering a public service desk. I can't do interlibrary loans while writing a report. Multitasking does not allow for an effective use of time, it only allows you to move tasks along incrementally in units requiring a minimum amount of attention. What administrators fail to realize is that backlog is exponential not linear. Consider the story of the lily pond, the lily pads double each day and if left unchecked will smother the pond in 30 days. That is what it feels like to multitask.Gail Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06796659355502895386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7993336615804101356.post-40320202829377167562012-02-14T09:17:38.238-08:002012-02-14T09:17:38.238-08:00My local library does not seem to multitask. The ...My local library does not seem to multitask. The positions are clearly outlined: a shelver is a shelver, a young-adult libn is a YA libn. Programming is for ages cradle to grave. Reference libns work on projects and are called out when the associate is unable to answer a question. Seems quite the opposite of your situation.<br /><br />Another difference from your personal approach to checkout is self-checkout--they are close to 93% self-serve. This library would say it frees up staff to do other things.<br /><br />Having come from your situation into this situation, I think the current library's staffing is artificially structured and unnaturally rigid. There seem to be enough, or more than enough, staff for all positions. As a patron, I feel well served. Granted, I don't need much service but the library seems responsive and caring to patrons and runs well. <br /><br />Bottom line, I think this library is well funded and does not have to scramble or adapt to dire conditions. May that always be true.Sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13136431149923888198noreply@blogger.com