Had such a great experience on the Ref Desk today…helping a student break through his frustration with and fear of library research. I struggled with the same thing as an undergrad, so I shared that, and it was a great connection. In the vulnerability, there was understanding. And then we got the work done. He didn't feel like library research was such an insurmountable barrier anymore, and my sharing helped him feel more comfortable asking for help. We shook hands at the good work done, in under an hour. A win-win.
He came back to the desk a couple of days later to tell me how much better he was doing, and how much the exchange helped him. Gratitude—all the way around.
