Hi all, here are a few suggestions about sharing difficult topics on public forums.
I hope that library managers do due diligence in regards to any reported “bad” behavior. That is, to find out from the person exactly what happened (in a non-judgmental
or threatening manner) and to review the evidence from the listserv postings BEFORE taking any action. I also hope the same is true at the vendor side.
In addition, I suggest that the language used in any public posts about a serious problem be carefully reviewed before hitting send. If you would not be comfortable
having your manager read your post, then don’t post it. Respectful discourse is welcome as is constructive feedback. Taking a topic offline is another option.
Cris, I look forward to reading your editorial on this topic. Constructive interactions are win wins for all involved.
Thanks,
Susan
Susan Davis
Associate Librarian for Continuing Resources and Licensing Specialist
University at Buffalo (SUNY)
134 Lockwood Library
Buffalo, NY 14260-2210
716-645-2784
716-645-5955 fax
unlsdb@buffalo.edu
http://libweb.lib.buffalo.edu/staff/index.asp?ID=124
From: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum <SERIALST@LISTSERV.NASIG.ORG>
On Behalf Of McCormick, Elizabeth
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 12:41 PM
To: SERIALST@LISTSERV.NASIG.ORG
Subject: Re: [SERIALST] Fwd: Vendors contacting employers
Hi,
I’ll only send a gripe-post to a listserv if my attempts to contact the vendor fail – either the vendor rep won’t respond or no action is being taken after they
acknowledge my initial email. I’ve done it once. I had a rep from that vendor contact me within a day of the post. I’ve asked questions about a product rarely and those few times it was more of a probe to see if anyone else was having the same or any problems
that we were having. Maybe we’ve been lucky here to have vendor reps and customer support who have done their jobs properly and in a timely manner most of the time. The flip side of that is, maybe vendors have complained to the head of the library and I was
never told J
~Elizabeth
Elizabeth McCormick
Monographics Librarian
McConnell Library, Radford University
801 E. Main St.
Radford, VA 24142
(540) 831-5635
“My body is my temple, and the goddess demands chocolate!”
From: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum <SERIALST@LISTSERV.NASIG.ORG>
On Behalf Of Cris Ferguson
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 10:09 AM
To: SERIALST@LISTSERV.NASIG.ORG
Subject: [SERIALST] Fwd: Vendors contacting employers
Hello all,
I had someone contact me off list this morning, explaining that some librarians might be hesitant to discuss this publicly on the list.
With that in mind, as an amendment to my previous post, if you are hesitant to post about an interaction with a vendor directly to the list, please feel free to contact me off list at the contact information below. As I gather information
on this, I am happy to work with you to protect anonymity if that is what you prefer. I also think this is a two-way street. I would be interested in hearing from vendors who have wished they could perhaps contact a librarian's supervisor to understand why
this might be necessary.
Thanks again!
Cris
__________________________
Cris Ferguson
Assistant Dean of Libraries / Associate Professor
222 Waterfield Library
Murray State University
Murray, KY 42071
270-809-5607
(she/her/hers)
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Cris Ferguson <cferguson13@murraystate.edu>
Date: Wed, Jan 9, 2019 at 3:31 PM
Subject: Vendors contacting employers
To: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum <SERIALST@listserv.nasig.org>
Hello all,
Twice this week I have heard of librarians discussing either an interaction with a specific vendor or the product from a specific vendor on a listserv, and, as a result of that conversation, the vendor has contact the librarian's employer
off the listserv (presumably to request either disciplinary action or a retraction).
Has this happened to you or a colleague? If so, I am interested in hearing more about it - the specifics were of the case (if they can be shared, of course), how your administration reacted, what the ultimate solutions was. If it hasn't
happened to you, I'd still be interested in hearing your thoughts on the purpose of listserv communication, how it is used to discuss vendors and products, and what it means when a vendor takes that communication and contacts an employer in regards to it.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am noodling on the idea of an editorial of some kind on this topic, but nothing is finalized. I am really just fascinated by this phenomenon and interested in people's thoughts.
Thanks,
Cris Ferguson
__________________________
Cris Ferguson
Assistant Dean of Libraries / Associate Professor
222 Waterfield Library
Murray State University
Murray, KY 42071
270-809-5607
(she/her/hers)
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