In library school, you learn that the most important part of the reference transaction, or reference interview, is asking questions. Customers, it seems, rarely know how to describe what they are actually looking for. Most people ask for something entirely different than what they want. Tonight was a classic example. Woman: Where would I find paperback nonfiction? This is a bit of a strange question, because normally people don't specify hardcover or paperback when it comes to nonfiction. Me: Nonfiction is in a few different places, depending on the subject. Do you have a title, or a call number? Or the topics you're looking for? Woman: I want to read about kings and queens from a certain time period. You know, how they lived, what they did. Me: That would be on the third floor-- Woman: But the stories aren't necessarily what really happened. It's real kings and queens but in made up stories. Me: Ah, so you're looking for historical fiction. Woman: Oh is that it? Me...
First there was Incident With a Fish Head . Then there was this. What is that dog doing, you may ask. She's chasing tiny fish. She did this for two hours . Two hours!!! We brought treats to practice recall, but I didn't remember to make them high-value treats. No way this dog is leaving her mad fishing fun for a crunchy cracker, even it is poutine flavoured ! We tried everything, but Cooks was in her own world. Her own fishing universe. The tide came in, so she was no longer in a tide pool. Just out there in water up to her neck, trying to catch tiny fish. After about two hours, she finally started slowing down. Some other dogs came over to say hi, and while she was distracted, I was able to grab her collar. It starts out as funny and adorable. It ends in frustration and exhaustion. We live so close to this beautiful beach, we could pop down there to give the pups a good run any time. Several times a week for sure! But if it takes 90 minutes to get Cookie back in the car, then ...
More photos from our drive west are now on my Flickr page: here . I'll also be adding to the sets vancouver island and vancouver island north as we explore.
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