Checking one off the list…now what?

It’s still a strange feeling for me to finally be working at a library.  For so long, getting a library job was constantly at the top of my “To Do” list.  Now that I’ve achieved that goal, I’m starting to realize that I need to come up with something new to work on.

One of my secondary goals has always been to write for the various communities that I’m part of, and my output there has definitely increased.  However, I’m also getting excited because I think this is the right time to put into action a plan I’ve had brewing for quite some time.  The objective?  Learn everything!

Okay, maybe not everything.  But some time ago I got the idea of going through the non-fiction section at the library near my house, starting at the 000’s, and picking books that interest me.  That would be my starting point to start learning more about a broad range of subjects, and delving deeper wherever I feel like.  It seems a little ambitious, but after all, I do need a new goal.

What can I say?  I’m addicted to learning!

Hooray! A job at last!

After doing various temp jobs in various states for…well, let’s just say for way too long, I finally have a library job.  Earlier today, I accepted a library assistant position at a community college library in the area.  I start there on June 3, which also happens to be Bryan’s and my anniversary, so I should get extra presents.  At least, that’s going to be my argument.

Here’s hoping I’ve retired the “Job search” category once and for all!

Interviews and kittens.

Well, I’m still working as a file clerk, but just this week I’ve had two different job interviews for libraries.  One was this afternoon.  It’s too soon to get optimistic, but I think today’s interview went pretty well.  I should hear back from either of them sometime next week.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed for good news!

Also, yesterday my husband and I adopted a kitten.  He’s seven weeks old and we’ve named him Bamf.  Yes, my husband is a comic book fan.  He’s incredibly furry and cute.  And so is the kitten.

Working, but not at a library–or is it?

I’ve started a long-term (12 weeks) temp position at a bank here in Omaha, and while it’s not at a library I think I’m getting a little practice in, anyway. I work in file retention, ordering files, checking them out to people, sending them back to the warehouse, and pulling and reshelving the in-house files.

At the very least, I’m keeping sharp on filing things according to alphabetical and numerical order. I’m also getting better at tracking down hard-to-find items and checking on overdue ones.

If only I could call myself a bank librarian, I’d be set. Oh, well–at least I’ve got a paycheck coming in while I wait for a library interview.

Moving is complete; now on to vacation…

We’ve successfully moved to Omaha, Nebraska, although we’ve yet to finish unpacking our (many, many) books.  Everything else is nicely on track, but right now I have more interesting things going on: a long weekend vacation in Orlando, Florida!

Okay, I’ll admit that it’s somewhat nerdy to be sitting in an Orlando hotel room (where the weather is sooo much nicer than in the Midwest) at a computer, but I am a librarian, after all.  Nerdy is what I do.

Even so, before too long I promise to get outside and enjoy the snow-free weather.  Even us stuffy librarians like fresh air and sunshine!

Now THAT’S a dream job.

Spanish Town to Pay Kids to Read.

I’ve got to say, if I’d had a deal like that when I was a kid, I’d be a very wealthy person today. And to think I settled for pizza through the Book It! program. Ahh, lost opportunities!

Library dance party!

Someone pointed this Youtube video out to me yesterday. I’ve never heard of the singer, and the song seems like your typical dance music fare, but it caught my interest because the entire video is set inside a library! It also features a (now virtually obsolete) card catalog, but I would think it’s there primarily to emphasize the stuffy and old-fashioned feel the video is going for.

Too bad more libraries don’t feature dance breaks, eh?

I was also amused to see that the video showed a guy being given the “remove your glasses and ruffle your hair in order to suddenly become super-attractive” trope. Usually (in movies, television, etc.) it’s a girl who’s at the receiving end of this “makeover.”

Diploma happy dance!

My diploma came in the mail yesterday.  Hooray!  Now I can truly call myself a librarian.  All that’s left now is to find a job in a notoriously bad market, but I did it once; maybe lightning will strike twice.

AACR2: The Movie.

Okay, it’s not exactly news, but I followed a link in my American Libraries Direct newsletter today and discovered AACR2: The Movie. I found it funny, and thought I’d share it. I think any current or former library student who struggled with the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules will identify with the “good cataloger/bad cataloger” plot.

Besides, why read the AACR2 when you can just wait for the movie to come out?

The harridan or the harlot?

Lately I’ve been thinking about the general image of librarians in society. I suppose, however, I should say the images of librarians. There’s the stuffy, uptight, bun-wearing, finger-shushing hag on one hand, and then there’s the sexy, uninhibited, provocative Playboy-centerfold disciplinarian on the other.

Quite an interesting two-sided coin, isn’t it?

Much as I hate to confirm any generalizations, in a lot of ways I realize that I fit in nicely with at least some form of the traditional librarian image. I’m a mousy brunette, I wear glasses, I tend to correct other people’s grammar, and I read constantly. If you throw in the part about being the wife of a (soon-to-be) pastor, then that pretty much seals my fate as far as first impressions go.

Even so, I like to play with (and play off) that stereotype. Self-parody can be fun, and I can think of far worse professions for stereotypes. Lawyers, for example. Or DMV employees. Sexy librarian beats boring accountant any day!