One Semester Down

And just like that, I've submitted two final exams this evening, marking the end of my first semester of library school. Time to grab a beer and watch some LOST all by myself.

My Summer I class starts...in a few weeks, I guess? It's called Information Sources and Services.

Bitch to the Last

So, remember how I'd been complaining about how rude and mean my bosses at the library were? Sure enough, the Senior Librarian was mean 'til the last minute. My last day there was last Friday and my wonderful significant other stopped by to see me. It was 10 minutes until we closed and there was absolutely nothing to do. I shelved ALL of my books, plus most of the books belonging to the other pages. 10 minutes left, in walks my lovely fiancee so I stop and chat with her for a minute. The Senior walks by and had to make a snide comment - "I can still fire you, you know." She might have meant it sarcastically but the way she says things, it's with such conviction.

I had no choice but to smirk and ask, "Would you like to meet my fiancee?" I hope that embarrassed her some and made her feel like an ass. Any doubts I was having about leaving the library to accept a full time job were gone in that instant. No way do I want to work for a boss like that ever again.

In other news - only two weeks left to go in my first semester! w00t!

Leaving the Library

I've given my notice at the library and tomorrow is my last day there. Surprisingly, the Senior Librarian was supportive of my decision. Most everyone at my branch has been understanding and supportive, but a few people have had weird reactions. While I think it would definitely help to be working in a library environment while going to library school, it just is not financially feasible for my future. I e-mailed two of the people that put on the workshop I attended, and they were understanding as well, which was nice to hear.

It was kind of a hard decision but ultimately, I know it's the right one in order to get through the next two years of life and school. I'll just have to go harass my local library for information and interviews which works out, because their Senior Librarian is a friend of mine. :)

Onward and upward.

The school semester wraps up April 30 - w00t!

Banned

One of my upcoming assignments is to read a banned book. I related this to my fiancee and she was like, "So...how are you supposed to read it?" I got a laugh out of it, but it's a fair question, I suppose. A book can be recommended to be banned but it's up to each library or library system whether or not to remove it. Typically speaking, public libraries are big supporters of free speech. I can't think of or recall hearing any stories about books being removed from public libraries.

If you're interested in a list of the most frequently challenged books, you can find it here.

For the record, I chose to read The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier, because it is one of the most frequently challenged books.

Midterm

So, I had to take an open book midterm for one of my classes yesterday. We had 1 hour, 30 minutes in which to complete it. I finished in 1 hour, 29 minutes and clicked 'submit.' Then Safari crashed on me.

Safari FAIL.

Luckily, the professor let me re-take it this morning and I finished in 1 hour, 10 minutes. Booyah! Let's go streaking through the quad to celebrate!

Joke?

I've gotten the impression from a few librarians that Library School is something of a joke. That it's a formality to becoming an librarian but little in the school actually prepares you for being one. It's a lot of reading, theories and essays that play little to no role in your actual duties as a librarian. If I'm hearing this from librarians that have been out of school for 10-15 years, I'm wondering why school hasn't evolved along the way.

One college I considered had a lot of coursework involving building databases and learning XHTML, which does not appeal to me. I asked a current librarian about that and she was like, "Yeah, that seems unnecessary."

Even now, I'm feeling some of the coursework we're doing is nice and all, but it seems like so much more is learned on the job.

I'm starting to wonder about my classes, too. In one class, we're supposed to do some readings and then make posts on the discussion board. Let's say this one post is worth 30 points. Some people's posts are like 4-5 paragraphs with anywhere from 1-7 quotes / sources cited. My posts are 3 paragraphs with no sources cited, and I get a 28/30 (which is a 90%). So is it really worth the effort to research 7 sources to get an extra two points? Not when you've got Star Wars: Battlefront 2 calling your name.

International

One of the interesting things I learned from the library workshop was the degree I'm getting, which is accredited by the American Library Association, is recognized internationally by libraries in the UK and Australia. So that means I can take my degree and get a job in the UK or Australia. Pretty sweet!

Sparking Pot

Parking is at a premium at the library I work at, all because a bunch of hippies wanted to save the trees in the parking lot when the branch was remodeled. I think they fit in 2 more spots when it was remodeled but parking still sucks there. A lot. I'd say half of the time I end up parking on the street and having to move my car 2 hours into my shift to avoid a ticket.

Anyway, the head librarian ran out to pick up lunch the other day, and I getting book donations from an old lady in the parking lot. I looked over at her "usual" parking spot and saw she'd placed a cone in front of her spot to save it. Um, one of the foundations of being a public library is that everyone has free and easy access to the library and its materials. This includes your parking spot.

Can I you tell I haven't been a fan of my job or my supervisors lately? :)

Not That

One of my other supervisors at the library was telling a story about why the library had to close late one night. This was in the old days before sophisticated computers with barcodes and such. She said an entire family of two parents and five kids applied for library cards 5 minutes before closing. And then she added, "And this family was black - not that that has anything to do with the story."

Really? Then why did you even mention it? It just seemed so random and bizarre to purposely slip that information in there and then deny it a moment later. So lame.

Young Again

The head librarian at my branch refers to everyone as "young man" or "young lady." Everyone. It doesn't matter if it's a 36-year old dude, an 82-year old grandmother or a 6-year old doing a book report. I'm sure she thinks it's cute or flattering but it's not. Stop, please.

Ask a Question Stupidly...

One of my favorite things about working in a public library is when people ask a question, but do it stupidly. I feel have no choice but to give them a stupid response. These are honest-to-God examples, and my honest-to-God responses.

Patron: "Where are dolphins?"
Me: "They live in the ocean."

Patron: "Excuse me, where are cars?"
Me: "In the parking lot."

Patron: "Can you tell me where Edgar Allan Poe is?"
Me: "He's dead and buried somewhere, ma'am."

Ah, gotta love the public.

Turn the Page

For some reason I've never figured out, the job of the library Page is severely looked down upon. Typically, they work a 4 hour shift, 5 days a week since it's a part time job. Of that 4 hours, a good 3 hours and 45 minutes of it is spent standing on your feet. Any time we are seeing taking a rest or standing still for a minute at our branch is typically met with a "Have we run out of things to do?" query from the head librarian.

So let me get this straight - if it's slow at the front desk, clerks can sit down and read a book. If it's slow at the reference desk, librarians are sitting down, can read a book or go on the internet. And if it's slow for a page...well, you're supposed to find work to do.

I was recently told I need to work on my "time management skills" and to "pick up the pace" which completely baffled me. My shelving is consistently done in less than 1 1/2 hours every day. If it looks like I'm "wandering" around the library, it's because I'm looking for shit to do! I don't like to stand still or hide in the stacks. If I go up to the front to pick up 6 DVDs, it's because I want the exercise and putting away 6 DVDs is something to do.

The unfair part is I wasn't even given a chance to speak on this. I was simply told all this and sent on my way.

If all of my assignments are done in half the time of my shift, how can I possibly manage my time better? Sounds like I'm kicking a lot of ass if you ask me. Which they didn't. They just went on their assumptions that I was killing time and "wandering" around the library. So lame.

Bad Boys, Bad Boys

We got to see something kind of interesting outside of the library the other day. The children's section has large glass windows on one side that look out onto the street behind the branch. For about 40 minutes, we got to watch 5 unmarked cop cars plan out a raid. Seriously. They were getting handcuffs out of their trunk, as well as shotguns, riot gear and battering rams. It was pretty freakin' awesome.

Being an avid viewer of Cops in my youth, I know they usually plan these out and get ready a few blocks away from the actual raid, but you have to wonder if they knew they were in full view of the children's' section of a library.

Online School

I think I made the right decision in choosing which online school to attend. After meeting and talking to some students in the other program I considered, I'm confident I chose the right one. They talked about not having time for a social life and how much the classes were kicking their ass...es.

Not that my online school is the easiest thing I've done but I'm surprised more people aren't going there. If your job is to locate information, wouldn't you research a school that's engineered for full-time working individuals, is cheaper and can get you done in two years flat?

Eejit

I went to a workshop for future librarians, and one panel was presented by a telephone reference librarian. Basically, it's an area where you can call-in, instant message or e-mail for reference assistance. This one guy asked the librarian what they would do if someone called in that needed immediate help in regard to domestic violence. My first thought was, "If someone needs help with that, I don't think they'd be calling the library."

In all fairness, the librarian said they'd probably look up the number for a local shelter but said they couldn't imagine getting such a call. Because most people, if they need emergency assistance...you know, call emergency assistance.

Seriously?

Someone in my online class posted their paper FIVE days early. Wow, do I feel like a slacker now.

Patronage

As a lowly library page, one of the things I've come up with to deal with boredom is to name the regular library patrons that come in. So far, we have:

1. Wyatt Earp - he's got a mustache Wyatt would be envious of, and the smell of a cowboy to match.

2. The Tutor - he tutors high school kids in math, and seems like a pretty good guy.

3. The Girl Tutor - pretty much like The Tutor, but a girl version.

4. Shirley Jackson - This guy comes in and researches the draws on the state lottery. He writes them all down in a log sheet. I think he's trying to develop some formulas or something.

5. Sign Guy - When he's done using whatever books he reads, this really sweet elderly man stands outside of the library and stares at the sign where our hours are posted. He writes them down on a piece of paper, but never remembers what the library hours are.

6. Pet Store - sadly, this guy smells like a pet store. End of story.

The Internet ≠ The Library

Isn't Wikipedia grand? Yes, for some things.

But take a look at this article regarding 10 Reasons Why the Internet Is No Substitute for a Library.

Intro

Here's a quick summary of my life - I worked as a part-time library page in high school and all 4 years of college. I graduated with a degree and got a job in my field where I worked for 8 1/2 years, then I got laid off. I managed to get the same job I had in college but now I'm 30. And I'm engaged. And we're living with my Mom.

Needless to say, life has thrown me for a loop. After thinking about how much I'd come to dislike the world of my major, I decided to go to library school for my Master's and become a librarian. I'm currently enrolled in an online program and taking 2 classes per semester with an expected graduation date of December 2010.

Shortly after that, I'd like to get a job as a children's librarian.

After that, I'd like to write and illustrate children's books.

After that, I'd like to become a senior librarian.

After that, I'd like one of my children's books to be optioned as a motion picture.

After that, I'd like to become a principal librarian.

After that, I'd like to star in the second motion picture based on one of my children's books.

After that, I'd like to become City Librarian.

Needless to say, I have some things planned out.