back to the cardigan

Article One, ArtStor. Biography Resource Center, ERIC, Gale Virtual Reference Library, GreenFILE, JSTOR, Lexis Nexis, MEDLINE, NoodleBib, Oxford Reference Online, PschINFO and World Almanac are just a few of the databases which I am now working with. Yep, you guessed it, I am again working in the library world. Since the early part of the year I have been volunteering at a lovely rural library not too far from the Farm, but starting today I am now also working at a nearby college library. The college--which we'll call Alternative U--is small, around 400 students and focuses on the arts and sciences. 

I must confess that I was a little nervous walking in tonight; the same sensation I felt when I showed up for my first shift at Purdy Kresge, Wayne State University's graduate library (back when I was still a lowly graduate student). Working at the Farm I sometimes forget that once-- seemingly in a life that I lived a hundred years ago--I was paid to help people find books, assist in research, just be helpful (these thought especially occur to me when I am elbow deep in meat or pasta). Though tonight I am not so sure about the being helpful part. I have already found myself unable to help two girls with some DVD player issues and then I sent another girl to the wrong part of the library in search of a book...she is still shooting me dirty looks. And I am only less than two hours into the job. Guess when I take my lunch break later I will again be going on a tour of the library. 


Best part of this job: getting back to working in my field, money
Worst part of this job: Sundays now mean working in the Kitchen 6:30am-2:30pm, working at the library 6pm-2am. Wednesdays will be a little like Sunday, but I am done at midnight. Everything's a trade-off. Wish me luck.

Comments

Mummy Dearest said…
GOOD LUCK!!! You can do it -- atleast for a while. And then you'll win the lottery, build your own library, and hire yourself there!
September 20, 2010 at 5:14 AM
Monster Librarian said…
And then I'll hire you to be my "advisor," to help w big decisions like: what are we going to do today? Go to Harry Potter World or Disneyland. :)
September 20, 2010 at 9:04 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

eggnog with lighter fluid and other cherished Christmas memories

Image
I started digging to find my favorite Christmas-esque scenes/lines from movies and I was pleased with what I found. In spirit of my 14's lists, here goes: 1. Charles De Mar: "Ah, come on! It's Christmas Eve! I could be home right now, drinking this *monster* eggnog my brother makes with lighter fluid." ~ Better Off Dead I also love the present opening scene on Christmas day, where his mother is dressed like a reindeer, his father gets an ardvark jacket and the kids get freezer dinners. Pan out to the neighbors Christmas when the French foreign exchange student gets a framed picture of Ricky. I LOVE THIS MOVIE! 2. When Zuzu says to George Bailey, "Look, daddy! Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an Angel gets his wings." George quietly agrees, "Attaboy, Clarence," as "Auld Lang Syne" rings out. That scene makes me cry everytime. (I also love that if George had never been around, Mary became a spinster librarian--see pic) ~ It's a W
Read more

sample retirement acceptance letter

Image
The hardest part of being the Director in a small library is that we don't have an HR person, so on top of everything else we do we also get to do the paperwork for the new hires, and retires. Thank God for the internet or these processes would take a lot longer!  One of my board members pointed out that though I'd been informed of staff retirements, I had to officially accept them with a letter...I am finding that a paper trail is an important thing. So, I found a short and simple letter on one university's HR website (sorry forgot which!?) and honed it to work for us. Attached is my sample of a retirement letter.  Is anyone else out there going through this process too?
Read more

Juvenile Collection Librarian in a college setting?

This afternoon the Human Resources lady at the university (the one who helped me fill out all my paperwork when I was hired in) called our library, looking for the name of an author for a children's book. She did not provide an explanantion, rather just told me about how someone had told her about this book. As it is a children's book, I assumed that it might be a gift for one of the girls who just went out on pregnancy leave. (Her) Now, I can't remember the name of the author. (Me) Well, ok, what is the name of the book? (Her) The Very Hungry Caterpillar . (Me) Oh, that is Eric Carle, he is one of my favorites. I actually collect his books. I collect all children's books. (Her)Hmmm, you know that yada yada yada is retiring soon, and she is in charge of the Children's Collection here. (Me) Yes, I knew she was retiring. End of August, right? (Her) When are you graduating again? (Me) I finish classes in December. (Her) Well, if you have Children's Books as a speci
Read more