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Some background information:
All of the library’s DVDs are arranged alphabetically by title. Each DVD has a sticker on its spine with the words “DVD [first word of the title of the movie].”
I was sitting at one of the reference desks, talking to a boy who was looking for the South Park movie and we were discussing the Christmas episodes that were on recently. I asked him what his favorite Christmas episode was and he was trying to remember. “I don’t know, but it had the devil in it.” I replied, “It wouldn’t be Christmas without the devil, now would it?” Then I noticed an older lady standing near my desk. Thinking that offering a little contextual information about this conversation was warranted, I explained to the lady, “Oh, we were talking about South Park.”
Lady: Ugh, I hate South Park! It’s just as bad as the Simpsons!
Not a great start, but okay. She was holding a copy of “And Also Starring Pancho Villa, as Himself.” The movie cover has the star’s name (Antonio Banderas) at the top with the title in larger font just below.
Me: How can I help you today?
Lady: I wanted to show you this movie. Just look at this label!
The label, of course, says “DVD And.”
Lady [pointing at the title]: Look, it says “Antonio Banderas” at the top, then the other star’s name, “Pancho Villa,” below it. How could anyone ever find this movie? [She pronounces it “PAYN-cho VILL-uh.”]
Me: Actually, those letters right there are the title. The title of the movie is “And Also Starring Pancho Villa, as Himself.” Like all of the DVDs, this label is printed with the first word of the title, and that is how they are organized.
Lady: But how could anyone ever find this movie with that label? If you were looking for Pancho Villa’s movie you’d never find it.
Me [not feeling like correcting her further]: Since all of our DVDs are organized by title, not star, someone looking for this movie would look in the A’s.
Lady: But it’s confusing! Why won’t you fix it?
Me: I’m sorry it bothers you. It’s kind of a silly spine label, but that is the title of the movie so we have to print the label that way.
She drops the movie on the counter and storms off, muttering, “How would anyone who was looking for movies with Pancho Villa in them find this?...”
On another note, the boy I was talking to? His name was Jioey, pronounced like Joey. Why would you ever do that to your kid?
Some background information:
All of the library’s DVDs are arranged alphabetically by title. Each DVD has a sticker on its spine with the words “DVD [first word of the title of the movie].”
I was sitting at one of the reference desks, talking to a boy who was looking for the South Park movie and we were discussing the Christmas episodes that were on recently. I asked him what his favorite Christmas episode was and he was trying to remember. “I don’t know, but it had the devil in it.” I replied, “It wouldn’t be Christmas without the devil, now would it?” Then I noticed an older lady standing near my desk. Thinking that offering a little contextual information about this conversation was warranted, I explained to the lady, “Oh, we were talking about South Park.”
Lady: Ugh, I hate South Park! It’s just as bad as the Simpsons!
Not a great start, but okay. She was holding a copy of “And Also Starring Pancho Villa, as Himself.” The movie cover has the star’s name (Antonio Banderas) at the top with the title in larger font just below.
Me: How can I help you today?
Lady: I wanted to show you this movie. Just look at this label!
The label, of course, says “DVD And.”
Lady [pointing at the title]: Look, it says “Antonio Banderas” at the top, then the other star’s name, “Pancho Villa,” below it. How could anyone ever find this movie? [She pronounces it “PAYN-cho VILL-uh.”]
Me: Actually, those letters right there are the title. The title of the movie is “And Also Starring Pancho Villa, as Himself.” Like all of the DVDs, this label is printed with the first word of the title, and that is how they are organized.
Lady: But how could anyone ever find this movie with that label? If you were looking for Pancho Villa’s movie you’d never find it.
Me [not feeling like correcting her further]: Since all of our DVDs are organized by title, not star, someone looking for this movie would look in the A’s.
Lady: But it’s confusing! Why won’t you fix it?
Me: I’m sorry it bothers you. It’s kind of a silly spine label, but that is the title of the movie so we have to print the label that way.
She drops the movie on the counter and storms off, muttering, “How would anyone who was looking for movies with Pancho Villa in them find this?...”
On another note, the boy I was talking to? His name was Jioey, pronounced like Joey. Why would you ever do that to your kid?
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