While working the reference desk at a mid-sized research institution, I came across a student who was searching for a particular article. I positioned my monitor to demonstrate to her how to navigate the university’s databases and find the article. Just as I opened the pdf, she stopped me and said, “Wait, my professor said its on something called a mi-cro-fiche machine.” I informed her that it was true, and that the article was also available on microfiche. Through a brief reference interview, I learned that her professor, whom we will call professor Fulano, told his class that, “They have not done real research until they have used the microfiche machine.” Thus if we take this declaration to its logical conclusion, I would not be considered a real librarian (in Dr. Fulano’s) eyes unless and until I show her how to use one. At this I walked her over to

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