What is the deal with the color patterns on the carpet in Perkins Library? What is the official view of library staff members on sex in the stacks? What is the meaning of life?
The answers to these and other important questions may be easier to obtain than you think. Just ask "Answer Person," who, for 20 years has been answering the questions of visitors to Perkins Library through his "Suggestion/Answer Book," located in the main library lobby.
According to the Duke Libraries website, the book was started in 1982 as the brainchild of Deputy University Librarian John Lubans, after he came to Duke. Any visitor can write questions or concerns about the library in the loose-leaf binder, and Answer Person, whose real identity has never been revealed, will respond. Soon after its appearance, the book became full of questions about non-library issues. But that didn't dissuade Answer Person from answering the questions and addressing the concerns of the Duke community.
Now, 20 years after its birth, the book contains over 6,500 suggestions. In addition, an online version, located on the libraries' website, offers readers sample questions from the binder and allows them to e-mail questions directly to Answer Person.
Kenneth Berger, electronic resources librarian at Perkins and former head of reference, has served as Answer Person's official spokesperson since public questions about AP's identity arose. "Part of the magic of Answer Person is that people don't know who [he or she] is," said Berger, who added that Answer Person is "heavily protective" of his or her identity.
Berger said some people use the book to ask legitimate questions about the library, such as why it does not carry certain books or about the condition of the bathrooms, but most questions concern other issues.
A survey of current entries illustrates questions ranging from music to personal advice to the identity of Answer Person.
Berger recalls a period in which a significant number of questions regarding "boy bands" graced the books pages.
When asked about the identity of Answer Person, AP recently wrote that he or she "embarked on a lifelong quest of self-discovery. Therefore it is impossible to reveal who I really am, because I don't yet know."
Questioners asking AP for personal advice have inquired about everything from how to meet members of the opposite sex to career help. "Most times, [Answer Person] handles those questions flippantly," said Berger, "but occasionally he will refer someone to Counseling and Psychological Services or the Career Center."
Answer Person is not only concerned about the lives of his or her constituents, but is also committed to answering all questions posed, said Berger. Sometimes, this requires a significant amount of research. A recent question about why the printers in Perkins do not use recycled paper required Answer Person to consult employees in Library Services, Photo Services and Office Production.
The only questions Answer Person omits from the book are ones that "refer to physical characteristics of the library staff," said Berger.
While Answer Person tries to answer questions promptly, Berger said it is sometimes difficult to be timely since, because AP has a full-time job.
Most importantly, Answer Person does not shy away from the tough questions. After being asked, "What price glory?" the Answer Person recently wrote, "Amazon.com has the VHS on sale for $13.99."
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