The State Library of Iowa received money to create a series of trendy posters that advertise public library services using clever juxtaposition and cheeky slogans, such as: 

We think your question deserves more than, “Uh, I think that might be, like in aisle four?” 

Generally the posters have high visual impact, and a nicely unified concept.  I like them.  You’ll also find that the images and copy have universal appeal, meaning that libraries anywhere in the world may print the PDFs for local displays. 

Sounds great right?  Then why I am I hung-up on the poster that promotes Helpful Staff?  If I search myself (a reference habit), I’m sensitive to the following statement: 

Our highly trained staff can help you find exactly what you need…fast. 

I get it.  It’s a marketing ploy.  The User Experience Librarian would be allover that kind of hip PR.  Yet, I cannot shake the feeling that it’s false advertising.  One of the most important services that librarians skillfully provide necessitates guiding people through the complexities of the research process.  Certainly, in an academic environment, fast research is hack research, often leading to irrelevant or weak information gathering, which ultimately wastes more time. 

Last week, one of my students approached me with a need to discover a particular statistic relating to wireless and mobile devices.  The question was not easy.  After 5 minutes she gave up on me; however, I persisted and found the info about 30 seconds after she walked out.  My unsuccessful patron-librarian interaction made me feel like a failure, reminding me of a phrase that I once heard: the emo library moment. 

Emo Library Moment: You don’t have what you want, after much trial you finally discover it it, and it doesn’t matter anyway. 

Posters never show us those moments.