"lazy parents please stand up, please stand up"
Today I subbed at Library Y, for the first time since before the summer. While all the librarians were working on the end of summer party I was manning the reference desk when I had this lovely conversation with a patron we shall call, "Lazy Mom," L.M. for short. L.M.: Hi. We are looking for your books for fifth graders. Where would those be? Me: Are you looking for a particular subject in non-fiction? Or are you interested in a fiction book? L.M.: Oh, just anything for a fifth grader. (Thanks for the clarity! UGH!) Me: (Adressing the child with the vacant face) Ok. Well, do you have any favorite authors? Any particular subjects or themes within the books that might be of interest? For example, do you like books with something like pirates or mysteries? Anything like that? Blank Faced boy: *** (no response) L.M.: Anything a fifth grader can read. He was supposed to read four books over the summer and...(and this is where she began laughing...LAUGHING!) well...we waited ...