This could be either statement or question. It could be a question, because different people may have different needs or not be massively bothered.
In very general terms, a good librarian or bookseller is someone who is friendly, making you feel welcome to the establishment. Personally, I like to be left alone when browsing for books. I just like to look around and think and get a feel for what is on offer and what it is I am actually looking for, if I'm looking for anything in particular. But I also want to know that the assistant on hand, in the library or bookshop, is easily approachable and happy to help if I ask any questions. I also think it's important for them to be able to take criticism or suggestions about displays or anything to do in general with the space or way things are run.
It is often helpful if they themselves are passionate about books. Or knowledgeable to some degree. Even if they're not massive readers or into a wide amount of books, then someone who knows how to help you find a book. That could be resorting to google, or the book charts, or apps like Goodreads and Storygraph, but someone who is willing to help if they can. Having suggestions of what to read and being passionate about books is a special bonus.
An extra special bonus is imagination to create displays which might help you find books. Displays on a topic perhaps. For example, I discovered new books because of a display for the Jubilee last year. One of my local libraries couldn't think of a theme and simply used colour. "I can't remember the name but the cover was red" and create a rainbow effect around the whole stand.
It's also good if they have regularly updated social media pages with suggestions, most borrowed or most sold books. Updates about events, or new releases.
In the case of the library, then it is helpful if librarians are happy to provide local knowledge, advice, and help with computer usage. They probably need to be firm too, about making sure people remain civilised in a public space.
I'm writing this for very personal reasons. I'd love to be a librarian and I have tried to be one several times. Last year I suffered a hard knock when I was pipped to the position at my local library and now the new person is causing numerous issues. I may be biased. But I have been told by a few people in the area that there are issues with the new assistant.
Unfortunately the new person is unapproachable, abrupt, unwilling to help anyone with anything at all. Whether that's book suggestions, finding anything in the library or when needing to use computers. He's borderline rude to anyone who makes suggestions and generally seems very full of himself. As he is someone who has never used social media, the pages never get updated. The inspiring displays in the library are non-existent and the atmosphere is distinctly different when he's there as he has none of the personality or warmth that has previously made libraries and bookshops so appealing to me. He hasn't even been doing the job properly because the notification emails about book reservations aren't coming through whenever he deals with a delivery. One of my books was sitting on the reserve shelf for a week before I found it.
It isn't entirely down to him these issues. The rest of the team may have failed to teach him how to use the computer system properly and he is not the only one responsible for the social media side or the displays.
It's all in contrast with his predecessor, who was a proper librarian. Warm personality, he put everyone at ease. He was good with kids, and the older generation too. The displays were more interesting, the social media pages were updated. The library I previously attended, as I said before, were very enthusiastic and inspired.
My local bookshop, too, is completely and utterly different. I believe the current manager and possible owner studied literature and has an enormous passion for all things book related. She was enormously helpful to me when I wanted to order a book and had several problems with the order, as it was delayed, damaged and eventually arrived some two weeks late. She got to know my face well from all the times I ordered and collected books. The regular assistant I have seen with her also seems very enthusiastic and friendly. They have all kinds of themed displays and handwritten suggestions around the shop. The social media pages are updated almost daily and everything about them oozes enthusiasm. Unfortunately I can't regularly visit as much as I once did, as a house move nearly four years ago made it less accessible.
To come back to my original point, a good librarian or bookseller is friendly and accessible. Although you could say an amazing librarian or bookseller is so much more than that.
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