I wish we could charge an inconvenience fee- a mini rant

I really wish we could charge an optional fee for being inconvenienced. I want to help patrons. I enjoy helping patrons. But so many absolutely refuse to learn the basics of printing but are printing weekly or even daily.

I’ve had patrons outright tell me that they refuse to learn, refuse to touch the copier, and insist one of us do it for them. I had a patron recently get a basic explanation (printer station there, it takes cash, directions are there) then push for us to print for them. I said they could do that, went back to my duties and left them to deal with our only desk, since we weren’t overwhelmed.

Partly contributing to this is the assistance bell that some press if there is even one person in line. Let them wait if it won’t be long. This has gotten better though.

But we aren’t office depot, kinkos, or a print on demand office shop. We are a library with limited resources and are understaffed, and we have so many other duties that need attending. I get providing patrons services. But sometimes its just abused and used.

All this is also on the coat tails of a patron that tried to convince a couple of us to fill out their job applications. Just a little related irritating thing that could be resolved with some effort.

I have taken to teaching and explaining how to use things and expecting the patron to at least press the start button on the copier.