I’ve worked in libraries for a decade, much of that time at a public info desk answering people’s questions. And do you know what drives me absolutely crazy? Whenever someone starts their question with “This might be a stupid question, but…”

You know why? Because there’s no such thing as a stupid question.

To be clear, I’m not at all annoyed by the person or by their question. I’m annoyed by the internalized shame that has caused them to think that their lack of knowledge about something means that asking someone about it is a display of stupidity.

And I don’t care what your question is or how simple it supposedly is. Curiosity and humility should be rewarded, not condescended to. So ask away.