Misadventures of the Monster Librarian

I remember how hard I searched for jobs when I was coming out of grad school, so that's why I've been periodically sharing what passes through my inbox. Young Minds Program Leader job opening at The Columbus Metropolitan Library THE POSITION: The Young Minds Program Leader has the opportunity to help address community needs identified in the library’s Young Minds strategy, our top priority. Building a foundation for a successful life is the outcome we strive to attain for the children we serve, and the work we do every day reflects this aspiration. This position is responsible for key areas in our Youth Services program that support our goals of preparing children, their parents and caregivers for kindergarten (Ready for Kindergarten); increasing school-age literacy and reading proficiency (Third Grade Reading – Ohio’s state mandated initiative; Summer Reading Club) and supporting high school graduation success (Homework Help). Columbus Metropolit...

I've been so insanely busy these past few weeks. The fast catch up: Our storytimes that I'm now co-leading with the Education students from Sticks College have been GREAT! As part of their responsibility the kids have to not only pick and read books with the same theme, but also have to plan an art project. Double awesome that I don't have to do that! :) Did I mention something about a mural one hundred years ago?  When I first started I got in touch with an art professor at Sticks College and asked if she and her students would like to donate their services to paint a mural for us. Because of the short notice, Professor Awesome couldn't fit it into their schedule, but offered to do the work PRO BONO over their spring break! That's this week!! And since my office is on the edge of the Children's Dept. I've gotten to watch the mural progress. The Professors Awesome (Professor Awesome's hubby is also an Art Prof) have been coming in before we open and ...

I can't believe how fast this week has flown by, how fast this winter seems to be casting itself aside. I have already been working my new library gig as a Children's Librarian (pt) for a few weeks and I feel like I am getting the hang of things and feeling like maybe I actually like being a kids librarian. I wanted to do Adult Reference when I finished Wayne State (after working daycare for 5 years I felt I was done with kids), but everything that I have done since I have started is WONDERFUL! First, let me say, "HOLY CRAP! There is so much prep work for even the shortest storytime!" Out of my 20 hours/week I probably only spend about maybe 4-5 hours with kids through our various storytimes and activities, 6 hours on Reference, and the rest is used for planning. This is cool because I love having that time to myself to put things together and look for things to do and consult a bajillion resources--can you say thousands of things have been put together for Elementa...