I agree with this person. I don't like to get involved in these kind of
discussions on this list, though some of you may know of me as a long time
reader and poster here. But I think we ought to get off this dumb question
thing, and in a hurry.
How would you like it if you stumbled on a listserv for doctors and found
out they had a discussion about the dumb questions their patients asked
them? Especially that law librarian patient, who was so stupid not to know
anything about <insert your latest ailment here>.
I don't wish to fault anybody who may have shared their dumb questions here;
in fact I have a couple I could share, but I think it's time to leave off.
Also, I think if your customers and check signers don't understand what you
do or how you do it, it's not necessarily *their* fault.
At 05:10 PM 3/13/98 -0600, you wrote:
>Isn't one of the foundations of reference service and librarianship that
>"no question is a stupid question?"
>
>Many times a week patrons approach me with "I have a dumb question."
>The first thing I say in response is that "No question is a dumb
>question."
>
>The Krikelis Theory of Information Seeking Behavior demonstrates that
>people, particularly ADULTS, are often afraid or uncomfortable in
>approaching librarians with reference and information-need based
>questions. By dispelling the belief that a patron's question is "dumb"
>we help them feel more comfortable in their request for assistance.
>
>Laura Olsen Dugan
>Library & Information Services Manager
>LaFollette & Sinykin
>One E. Main Street, Suite #500
>Madison, WI 53703-3300
>(608) 257-3911 voice (608) 257-0609 fax
>leodugan@lafollettesinykin.com
>
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