Ah they’re 1920’s style “Death Rays”.
I have a feeling this joke is going to turn into the “All your base are belong to us” of the SDMB. How about we add it to the list of SDMB inside jokes?
[ul]
[li]Hamster-powered servers[/li][li]Invisible Pink Unicorn[/li][li]Hi Opal![/li][li]more stuff I can’t think of right now[/li][li]1920’s style “Death Rays”[/li][/ul]
Good heavens. Not that any of the blame should be placed anywhere but on the complete jackass, I have one question:
This doofus walks into a library with a cell phone and a Big Gulp, asks for these books, and the librarian brings him first editions? I’d have locked those away in a special case with xenon gas, and give him a special copy with lamination on every page and “Fucking Moron Edition” printed discreetly on the spine.
And I see Alereon has already asked this, but I’m posting anyway! Ha!
Batman should kick this guy in the nuts.
Batman could only kick him in the nuts if he was prepared.
Why are you letting just anybody look at first editions? Did he have some reason?
When finish the list, bring pie.
OG SMASH LIST!
Fucko off!
Gotcha ya!
Wow, I hope said asshole with the big gulp has to fork over every bit of the $7800.
Since returning to school however, I’ve been on a campaign of civil disobedience by toting my capped water bottle or diet pepsi right past the NO FOOD OR DRINKS sign. Fuck you, sign hanger. I’m not a child.
Assuming the server and this original shorted-out computer weren’t sitting right next to each other, how does the Dr Pepper get to the server?
I have to wonder about the first editions part of the story. Not that I’m doubting you, Squishiness, just that I’m wondering if they weren’t just very old, but not quite first edition old. I’ve never known of a library which let anything that was in any way valuable or irreplacable leave designated areas or a librarian which would hand such materials over to someone who was less than attentive (i.e. someone who was sitting at a computer, simulataneously IM’ing and talking on their phone) or had anything potentially harmful (like a BigGulp, lidded or otherwise) anywhere nearby.
I cannot fathom why the librarian didn’t notice that this patron was not behaving appropriately (having a wild, loud conversation on a cell phone is not library behavior, whether there is a quiet room or not) or the beverage on top of the monitor – a spot which is decidedly conspicuous.
The computer and electrical issues are one thing, but when it comes to the destruction of the books, there’s some shared liability here. I really would love to see that idiot forced to do public service shelving library books for free for the next decade to help pay for their misdeeds.
But I’d also love to see this incident – when the full facts are distilled – be considered a teachable moment for librarians everywhere, who I fear have fallen into a realm of “the customer is always right” PC namby-pambiness, unwilling or unable to put their feet down and keep libraries all over the place clean, quiet, free of idiots with cell phones and Big Gulps (or, as I recently witnessed, a sticky, goopy cinnamon bun in a plastic package that was left sitting open on a chair) and other barriers to the atmosphere of learning that a library should have.
If I had been that person with the drink (I wouldn’t have been, even I’m not that dumb), I would have have been completely horriffied at what had happened. That someone could be so thoughtless and careless then act put upon is disgusting.
Just out of interest, how old were they?
This is a hanging offense.
But, yeh, the librarian should have kicked the jerk out.
Unless at that library that’s already been tried, and the previous jerk sued for discrimination against the manners-impaired?
My God. Destroying old books through sheer stupidity, and then not CARING? I feel bad if I get a few drops of water on NEW books – you bet I wouldn’t have anything wet NEAR a 100-year-old book if I could help it.
But then again, I care.
I’m trying to think of something awful that’s library-oriented that he’d have to do to pay that money back – now THAT’s wonderful, $7800, at least the library isn’t letting him completely evade responsibility! – but I can’t think of of anything that doesn’t involve card catalogs, which just aren’t used anymore. I used to hate those things.
My, that is disconcerting.
But I think the real question the OP must address is what’s with the strange felching obsession?
Hamsters, ferrets, brine shrimp … may I suggest therapy, or if not that, I know this club near Times Square you might be interested in …
Plainly, yes, the guy needs to go to frickin jail, and then pony up, and then do some frickin’ community service. Perhaps keeping the toilets and restroom areas at the library clean enough to eat off of for a few months would teach him some sense of responsibility.
Why in potato’s name was the library allowing this clown to examine rare first editions?
Another (horrified) librarian checking in here…
What in the world was the librarian thinking, to 1.) allow the drink container in the first place, 2.) it’s placement anywhere near a monitor, 3.) casually handing out rare editions outside a carefully controlled environment and 4.) permitting cell-phone use to disturb other people?
The patron was a colossal jerk but, sorry folks, that librarian was negligent. Of course I’m assuming the library has at least rudimentary policies in place.
We don’t allow food or drink, period. Even with the best intentions, spills happen and we aren’t equipped to bus tables. Cell phone use in the reading areas? Nope. Anyone who wants to make or take a call must either step into the lobby or back into the stacks.
People who violate these rules are confronted. If they refuse to comply, they’re told to leave. If they refuse to leave, the police are called to eject them. More than one incident and a trespass order is issued on the person. And yes, a fair number have been trespassed, though it’s happening less often now that word’s getting around that the rules are for real and we enforce them. The library is also a much more pleasant, popular place now for people to use.
As far as rare materials, they’re kept in locked cases in a locked, climate-controlled room. We get out a single volume at a time and a staff member is in the room at all times while it’s being used. Period. No exceptions. There’ve been too many cases of irreplaceable items being stolen, mutilated, etc. to do otherwise. One of the most notorious book thieves in our area was the most seemingly respectable, middle-aged man. When police raided his house he had thousands of rare books and materials, stolen from libraries as far away as NYC.
The patron was a rude moron, but IMO the library carries some responsibility for permitting his unacceptable behavior to compound.
Then again, I’m Conan the Librarian.
Hopefully, this “person” will be banned from the library.
It makes me feel old, but you should see some of the teens that come in this library.
I now understand why older people used to talk about “those kids”.
But no one is allowed here with any drinks, thankfully.
You should get Dewey to decimate this guy’s ass.
Bryan, that was good.
