Be+Present!

=="When you're present with people, you look right at 'em. Just like when you're being with your best friend. You're there, you're there." ==

--Shawn, fishmonger
​​

=Be Present! =

In our world of trying to get multiple things done at the same time, do you ever find yourself talking on the phone, responding to an email and helping someone in front of you all at the same time? ​ If so, how much attention do you think you gave that person on the phone or the person in front of you........NOT MUCH!....... And how do you think that person felt? ............hmmmmmmm............

It is easy to be "present" by just being in the same room with someone, but what makes a lasting impression on someone is to be really focused on that person. When you are "being present" you show consideration for the other person. This is something you can (AND SHOULD) do while interacting with everyone in your life, not just with the people at school.

** Here are some ways to "be present": **  Focus on what someone is saying  "Be" with just that person  Acknowledge them  Be present from moment to moment

**The past is history; The future is a mystery; Today is a gift; That is why we call it the present; Enjoy it! **  **--Allan Johnson **

Fish food for thought:

**What are some ways that you could practice being there for your library patrons?**

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lynne McDowell: This question made me think of time I spent as a sales clerk. We were always taught to take our customer to the product and make sure it is what they want. Conversation along the way helped me give them some other ideas to consider to meet their needs. The same is true in the library. Walking with them to the 500s and talking about their science project is going to help me to help them find the best resources. Establishing that personal relationship by giving 1 to 1 assistance, having a cheerful attitude, and putting aside whatever has gripped my attention is what will help me "put my customer first" and keep them coming back for more.

Dana Lott: I thought of a reference interview when reading this description of being present. Sometimes students and teachers know they need a resource, but don't know exactly what they want/need. By asking guiding questions, we, as librarians can practice being "present" and helping them find what they need. Lisa Coyle: One thing I try to do when I'm in the library is to touch or make eye contact with the patron I'm speaking with so they know I'm focused on them. For example, if I'm listening to a first grader, I might kneel down to look at their face, then as we walk to the area of the library that has the book we were looking for, I place my hand gently on their shoulder to let them know I'm with them. Of course, some kids don't like that "touch factor" and will flinch away. In that case, I might compensate by using their name as we walk along, again, letting them know that I'm focused on them.

Dickie, one of the fishmongers, says when you get distracted, you have to "bring yourself back to being present." What are some things you do to bring yourself back to the present? Lisa Coyle: Getting back to the present can be tricky if you're sitting at a computer or at your desk and feel your mind wandering. I move. Having to get up, to move across the room, gets my mind back in my head. If I have to work on the computer, I still try to get up or move my arms, legs and head, so that I'm not drifting away. As a bonus, it helps keep my circulation happy and reminds me to blink my drying eyes! ;)

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**What causes you to get frustrated, lose patience, or not care about being there as much as you should? What might prevent or change that?**

Who doesn't get your full attention? Why? What do they get from you? How might that affect your relationship with that person?

Regina Hoskins: Sadly, I thought of my own daughters when I read this question. At the end of a day of teaching, I have been working on paying more attention to them since they haven't seen me all day. I used to come home at 5:00 and feel rushed to get dinner started. My daughters would have meltdowns and misbehave to get my attention. So I started spending some time with them and put off making dinner so that I could "be present" for my kids. Instead of "the witching hour" being so tough, it has turned into a meaningful time for me and my kids because I decided to slow down and focus on them at that moment. After spending a little bit of time together, they are much happier and have been wanting to help me make dinner which makes it less stressful and more fun for all of us. Lisa Coyle: I can SO relate, Regina! My poor boys were victims of "the witching hour" when they were younger, too. Now that they are older, it's worse in some ways because they aren't dependent on my to get dinner going or to help them with homework. Their independence is liberating to them and to me, but I need to make sure I connect with them or I could go a whole day without actually seeing them! I find that "side-by-side" work is great for giving us a chance to talk and to connect without them feeling like I'm interrogating them about their day. My older son likes to operate the grill, so I make a point of taking out a glass of water or just going out to "smell the yummies" while he's grilling. He talks food to start with, but our conversations often touch on what he's done all day as well. My younger son prefers to chat at the end of the day, so I still "tuck" him in even though that's not what I'm really there for. We do a little summarizing of the highlights of the day (gives him good dreams, too!) and a little planning for the next day so he can rest knowing what's on the way.

Sue Lord: I find that when I am trying to check out books for a whole class at once, it is hard to give any one of them my full attention. I much prefer working with small groups of kids, or having time to check in with each student during a lesson. That is one reason it is so important to me to expand the flex time and minimize the fixed schedule. Relating with 30 kids at a time is impossible!

Jeanette Causey: I think that this is a great thing to reminder myself of daily. I can not stand it when people are not present and I have noticed an increase in this negative behavior in myself and others lately. As a teacher librarian, I would hope to be aware that each patron needs me to be present and fully engaged. A library is often such a busy place that I will need to be very aware and deliberate about it. <span style="background-color: #29319e; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">Actions to consider:


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Make a conscious effort to notice when you are not being present.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Slow down and focus on right now.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Shut out distractions when someone is talking with you.