We'll greet people by name, bring their holds (books/movies/cds they've reserved) out, ask them about their kids...
If we know your name at the library, it is because of one of three reasons.
1. You come all the time. And you're nice.
2. You come all the time. And you're notorious.
3. You have only come in a couple times. But you caused such a hullaballoo that we are still talking about you.
Most fall into the first category. They're the friendly regulars! We know which patrons will want to request the latest James Patterson book. When holds come in, we can almost guess who they're for before we scan them in. They get the most sincere smiles, the most help, the most conversation. They keep the library going!
Some fall into the second category. They're here enough that we know who they are, but we also know to look out for them. We'll see someone step up to the desk and we'll give each other "the look." We understand that we might have to back each other up if one of us helps these difficult patrons. We might have to add notes into their account so that we can keep track of lies they tell us. We might know their names, but we also know their games!
Very very few fall into the last category. We only know these people because they've been the main topic of conversation for a week! They've had major problems with their cards. They've told crazy stories. They did something weird. Yes, we know their names!
I would recommend that, if you become a regular at the library, you become the good kind. The kind that brings a relieved smile to a frazzled librarian, because she knows that for a few minutes she won't have to take any grief.
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