Conversation I have just had with one the University librarians:
"There's a problem with my account - it shows that I still have a book out when I don't, I've given it back. I've just been to the shelf and all four copies of the book are there. Also, if you do a search on the system for that book, it shows there are four copies and that none of them are currently on loan."
"Oh! I see. Well, I can raise a query on the account if you like."
"Well, there's no need really, I've just checked, as I've explained, and the book is on the shelf. There's clearly an error in the system."
(pause)
(librarian looks slightly flustered and confused)
"Oh, I see. Ok, hang on, the ISBN you have to look for is [reads out ISBN number of book]."
"What?"
"Well, that's the ISBN you have to check against the book to see if you still have it."
"What the ... I mean ... who .... what????!!! Go and look at the shelf and you'll see all four copies of the book there!!"
"Oh! Why didn't you say that?"
"I JUST DID!!!! I JUST EXPLAINED IT TO YOU IN PLAIN SODDING ENGLISH!!! TWICE!!!!" (well, I phrased it a little more politely than that ....)
Sheesh!
Where the hell do they find these people?