[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Strange reference questions



I had an elderly woman call me a few months ago and ask me what the world
population was. I remembered that Deere had just posted a new environmental
website that listed the population, and it's on a counter so it increases
every few seconds. As I was looking for the site I recognized her area code
from the caller ID and after a few moments of talking with her was able to
pinpoint the street where she lived in Virginia, and was able to give her
directions to her local library and the section she should look for further
information.
I finally found our web counter on world population, and, thinking I was
funny, gave her the number, then the updated number, then the updated
number. Finally she said thank you, and then the kicker said "Well, I just
wanted to know the number, because I think someone should be doing something
about it. Don't you?"
I don't know if that meant there should be more or less people (I'm assuming
less), but after displaying my knowledge of her home town (where I worked
for 2 years), and then giving her a continually updated population tally, I
hope that she has a positive perspective on the sometimes strange yet
usefull resources of the Archivist.

Beyond all, I was flattered that she thought that I could prevent
overpopulation of the world! I told her that I was single and without
children, so I was doing my best to do my part.

Neil Dahlstrom
Reference Archivist
Deere & Company Archives
One John Deere Place
Moline, IL 61265
(309) 765-2752 Voice
(309) 765-2751 Fax
DahlstromNeil@johndeere.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Osier, Nina [mailto:Nina.Osier@STATE.ME.US]
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2002 9:03 AM
To: ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
Subject: Re: Strange reference questions


Since my dear colleague Art Dostie didn't supply this one, it is my duty to
do so instead.  (I've already told him privately about the fellow who
accosted me in the parking lot one day, demanding to know "what the State is
going to do about two rotten houses on my road" - and who became furious
when I told him that "rotten houses" are a municipal issue.  One for his
local code enforcement officer.  This could not be true!  The State must be
able to help him, and I just didn't want to help him find the right
department!)

A number of years ago a man came up to our Search Room reference desk and
answered the archivist on duty's "May I help you?" with the following gem:

"I want to look up my posterior."

I have no idea how even our Jeff managed to keep his face straight, that
time.

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!

To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
      In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
                    *or*:  UNSUB ARCHIVES
To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu

Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html

Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!

To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
      In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
                    *or*:  UNSUB ARCHIVES
To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu

Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html

Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>