Misadventures of the Monster Librarian

Been so busy lately. Feels like I can't catch up on work because I've had to cover the desk more due to illnesses and vacation days. Back in my office for a full day yesterday and finally caught up on Purchase Orders Budget stuff, Book orders Tidying up my office (TONS of books ready for the FRIENDS used book sale in September!) Financial Subcommittee work for a board I'm on Now if I could just get super motivated and creative enough to start putting together my Powerpoint for my OLC Conference presentation. I'd like to have a good chunk of it done, but knowing me, I'll get inspired post-vacation when I'm rested and really feel the less-than-a-month-until-my-presentation-panic! I just need to get to vacation. So hard to be at work!

I hate Wednesdays, mostly because I work the late shift. But this morning I have to go in for an early morning meeting and then still close. Sucks. Being in charge sucks sometimes. The other thing I hate about Wednesdays is the whole "hump day," business. I hate when people say, "Happy Hump Day!" or when ChicagoBoy texts it to me--I may eventually tell him how much I hate "Hump Day," we're just not there yet. I also just hate that it's midway through the week, yet Friday feels so far away still. It's just got that feel to it too. And now I have this to hate about Wednesdays because inevitably someone brings it up EVERY WEEK. It's like every time I forget this , and someone mentions it and then I'm whistling it for another damn 3 days! All this thinking of Wednesdays made me think of my favorite day related things: weekday related feelings , or keeping track of where you are in the week. As for me, I'd rather be at home on a Sund...

This is the attitude I've decided to have today. It's either that or I hide under my desk and sleep. Somehow I think the Board would frown upon that.  I'm. So. Tired. 

Yesterday was my 8 month anniversary as a Library Director, so I thought I would share some of the interesting things I've learned and experienced while working at Sticks Library: Like in life, the Golden Rule should be observed Some days you're the first one in at 8a.m. and the last one out at 8p.m. Vanity be damned: sometimes you just have to wear sneakers with your work pants Staff concerns that seem petty still must be addressed seriously Sometimes laughing really hard with your staff can make the really long days tolerable Smile at EVERYone...smiling's my favorite I think I look forward to storytime more than the kids The process of buying all new computers, software, security, etc. really is arduous and crazy-making There will be lots of interesting surprises along the way, like the patron who sells the best and freshest asparagus in town and always makes sure to stop by and see if you need any; or the 60+ year old who invited me on a weekend motorcycl...

Oh, holy hell. The Children's Librarian starts in 11 more days, thank God. Except that means training. The schedule is approved by all. Now I am figuring out coverage for vacay requests through August. Computer buying process is still back and forth like Pong. The company sends me quotes, I go over those with our IT guy, he tells me what we should ask for/change, and I send it back. As if this process hasn't been hard enough, one of our cataloging computers died last week, another cataloging/CIRC (of two!!) computers is on the fritz (choosing when the scanner or keyboard or both will stop working at random), and I just learned that our barcode scanners and receipt printers are so hold they will need replacing. Every time I think about the cost I hear money bleeding out of this place. Urgh. On the upside: Summer Reading donation requests went out a few weeks ago and we've been getting a good response so far, over $1,000 in our first two weeks! I received word last week...

I broke my tailbone when I was about to start grad school; one stupid choice that will in ways influence the rest of my life. The fall didn't cripple me, luckily, but I have to be mindful, remembering that I can easily hurt my back again, throw the muscles into spasms I've likened to "having birth contractions of the spine, instead of the lady bits," to Bestie L (the mother of 3 girls, so you know I wasn't being dramatic). Cautious and mindful are not my strong suits, and so I threw my back out this weekend. I spent Sunday-Tuesday in bed, with fat, pathetic tears forming in the corners of my eyes every time I moved, unable to get out of bed in less than 5 minutes time, unable to do anything more than lay and wince. I dramatically imagined myself in the event of a fire, rolling from side to side, unable to get up to save myself. So, I did what I do best, I read. And read. And read. I forgot the pain and enjoyed laying still, feeling the weight of my body and the ...

Days never work out the way that you think they will. I have a page long to do list that I wanted done by the end of the week, but it looks like it will roll into next week; some days end with me puzzling over where the day went. This week we introduced a Music Collection to Sticks Library. I am more than a little proud because A. we've never had a music collection here before and B. it's gotten good press locally and C. we got our first hold placed for a CD this morning! Creating the collection was as simple as deciding to set aside some money within our existing Audiovisual budget, and now because of so much e-music and iTunes. many people have already offered us their collections and that is really helpful and FREE! :) I've learned as a Director to never say, "no," but rather to say "we'll use it if we can, if not, it'll go in our used book/DVD/CD sale and the funds benefit the library, so you've helped us either way!" We've begun ...

For all my Dad's faults, some things I really valued in him and have tried to replicate in my adult work life: 1. Work HARD. 2. Look people in the eye. 3. Don't bullshit people, be honest. With that in mind, at a recent Board Mtg. one of the board members offered to break some news to my staff which I knew was going to be met with less than enthusiasm, but  I knew I had to do it, this is why they pay me, right? It can't always be easy or fun, and it's important to not bullshit people and avoid the tough stuff--people respect you more for doing it. So, I did it. And I didn't enjoy it, but trying to gracefully make it through something uncomfortable makes it easier for the next time, and makes you stronger.

Lately I feel like there's just not enough time in the day. I try really hard to stick to my 40 hour week, but last week I worked closer to 50 hours, which is ok, except I haven't worked out since before I moved and haven't been cooking as much as I should and dammit, my pants are fitting a little snugger! I love my job, I just wish the days were longer, or could go by a little slower so I could everything I needed to done. I guess if that's the worst complaint after my first month and a half, I am good. :) So, what have I been doing lately? A lot. I am really proud of all I've accomplished since I started! And the team I work with is phenomenal and always so willing. Lately I've: Weeded the Reference collections, Adult's and Children's, because do we really need 13 dictionaries? Fortunately I was able to donate a set of encyclopedias to the local high school, since the set I wanted to get rid of is more current than theirs. Also, I learned from St...

Agh! Been so busy lately! Feel like I am in this constant, awkward dance which is work, water plants/pull a few weeds, work, home, bed, repeat, trying to fit in time to also hang with friends. I have been working my normal schedule then also working 15 extra hours a week at the library. I haven't had a full day off in over three weeks and I am starting to feel that irritable tug. I keep deep breathing and reminding myself that I am off for a long weekend over Memorial Day weekend when best friend K and her boyfriend Joe visit! Until then, the extra time at the library has been great, since they've begun training me in the local history department, and am learning tons of cool researching options for genealogy. This week marks 3 months since the tree fell on my cabin and HUZZAH the construction men finished this past Friday! Such good news to come home to after work! The time definitely gave me two things: A. many, many, many reminders reminders of the bonds of friendship; fr...

We have these two brothers who come to Library X for all of our programs and to get books every week, accompanied by their really nice parents. What is amazing about these kids is how damn smart they are. Albert (name changed) is 7 and in 2nd grade and Neal (name changed) just turned 5 on Saturday. What is so amazing about these smart kids, is that they aren't just smart, they are Jeopardy-high-school-champions-in the-making-smart; so smart that they say-things-and-make-you-feel-stupid-kinda-smart. Anyway, we had our Star Lab this weekend--which of course the Einstein Bros. came to. Star Lab is a portable planetarium made of a huge, inflated bubble which enables the presenter to show the stars and consellations on the inside of the rounded dome. It was a very cool way to look at the night sky. The guide pointed out stars and consellations as they would appear in the night Spring sky. Then once we had a feel for the location of the consellations she showed us how the consellations w...

Nearing the end of the week and I am finally starting to feel better. I haven’t been sick, but rather my spring/summer allergies have descended upon me to annoy the shit out of me. It doesn’t bother me that I have allergies…it pisses me off that I only have allergies in Michigan. When I lived in Massachusettes at the farm my allergies dissapeared, leaving me to believe that my allergies do not in fact stem from ragweed, pollen, pet dander, or the like; but rather stem from my contempt for the state of Michigan...and it's state bird! Not feeling good makes me feel all homesick too. So, I felt homesick for the farm and wished that I was sitting on the couch at Avalon (hope you don't mind that I fantasize about being sick at your house Mummy ), sipping hot tea, wrapped in a warm blanket with the sun pouring onto me through the windows looking out at Main House. And what sucks too about being sick is not having health insurance. Since I can't afford a doctors visit and a persc...