*Trying to describe this without getting into details that would be more appropriate for Fratching, will do my best!*
For some minor background info - in my library branch, we have several computers in the children's room. Children are not required to use their library card to log into them, instead, staff signs them up at the desk using their first name as the username and password.
Last week, I had a customer(I'll call her "Mrs. Udo") come into the library with her two kids. The son went into the children's room, and I didn't interact with him. But she came up to the desk with her daughter.......first to ask about getting her kids signed onto the children's computers, then said she needed to get the replacement library cards.
All of which was fine, except that "Mrs. Udo" wasn't exactly fluent in English, neither was her daughter, and while i do understand three other languages, their native language is not one of them. So it was REALLY tough trying to explain what info I needed from "Mrs. Udo", and it was VERY awkward to keep getting blank stares. (I do my best to give good customer service to everyone, but I honestly did not know what to do in this situation)
Finally, I passed them onto my fellow circulation staff person, and she was able to do a little better at communicating.(I think she's worked as a teacher before)
For some minor background info - in my library branch, we have several computers in the children's room. Children are not required to use their library card to log into them, instead, staff signs them up at the desk using their first name as the username and password.
Last week, I had a customer(I'll call her "Mrs. Udo") come into the library with her two kids. The son went into the children's room, and I didn't interact with him. But she came up to the desk with her daughter.......first to ask about getting her kids signed onto the children's computers, then said she needed to get the replacement library cards.
All of which was fine, except that "Mrs. Udo" wasn't exactly fluent in English, neither was her daughter, and while i do understand three other languages, their native language is not one of them. So it was REALLY tough trying to explain what info I needed from "Mrs. Udo", and it was VERY awkward to keep getting blank stares. (I do my best to give good customer service to everyone, but I honestly did not know what to do in this situation)
Finally, I passed them onto my fellow circulation staff person, and she was able to do a little better at communicating.(I think she's worked as a teacher before)
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