I have been a professional librarian for all of about six months now, working a minimum of 10 hours per week, and a maximum of 30. This is because I am in a position as a substitute librarian at a public library. Now, I will go on record as saying I really do like my job. It makes me more satisfied to know that I also like working in a public library to the same extent as an academic one, at least to a certain degree and capacity.
I don't typically comment on the work, per say, on this blog, because this blog is personal in nature, and I like to think I can keep my "working world" agendas and needs out of this more public space. Also, because I know that my readership is mostly fellow librarians/new professionals and friends/family, I don't particularly think the day to day of my working life pertain or would interest these folks.
I do however read a number of blogs in the "biblioblogosphere" in an attempt to figure out the latest topics, greatest new tools, or what problems/gripes other people in the profession run into. Today though, I realized that most of the more "personal" in nature blogs that I run into, blogs that use swearwords or legitmately seem sarcastic in tone and tell what-I-was-really-thinking-when-soandso-asked-where-are-the-kids-books, when a giant sign says "kids books" right in front of them. Perhaps I have just not come to the point of job burnout. I find it interesting that people choose to use blogs, read by many people as an outlet for this pent-up anger. While I agree it's best not directed at the patrons that ask the not so intelligent sounding questions...I'm baffled that these professionals use the blog format mostly and primarily to gripe. Sure, I tell my parents about the occasional patron that I feel sorry for because they do not know how to use a computer in this Information Age, but I don't really go into how frustrated I am when they don't take my word (5 times mind you) that their floppy disk is corrupt, and despite clicking other icons they will not get their document back.
What did librarians do to complain about patrons before blogs?
I guess I've just noticed in the past few days that many of these blogs that are by professional librarians, aren't talking about what's new and innovative that they have discovered, or what's on the upcoming conference agendas, it is talk of the "actual phonecall from patron to library X, #64" and the entry digresses into the librarian's annoyance that Patron didn't realize the library closes at 5:30 instead of 6:00.
I apprecaite these blogs on another level though, as to the pitfalls of both needing an outlet for frustration at "stupidity" of others, and as to what type of venue is suited for such display.
It is true, I can be accused of recently telling a few of my friends about a patron at the library. I am sure most of us can be accused of such. Anyone that works in a customer service position, or even works with people in general will run across those events/situations that we just HAVE to tell someone else about. But the consistancy of these blogging librarians in their determination of posting stories about the "problem" patrons or the "stupid questions" is fairly prevalent.
Are they all that fed up with the profession?
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
JETs, Chocolate and Bears
This weekend I joined Erik and Melissa in a visit to Chicago for the JET new year's party. I'll let the pictures speak...
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Podcasts R Us
I love podcasts. Podcasts with video are even better. Language learning, photoshop techniques, travel tips, audiobooks in the public domain, my favorite bands. Oh yeah, and all for just a little bit of memory on my computer. Everyone should join the podcast generation. Especially because you can control the content you listen to. It's great---flipping the channels on your t.v. and realizing there are 78 channels and nothing you want to watch? Perhaps there's a video podcast for free that will be up your alley...
I've found podcasts for a bunch of my friends, tailored to their personal interests in just a few minutes of scroll through the iTunes list, and yes, there are many more podcasts that exist than those indexed there. Go ye and multiply your casts. ;)
BTW, I know there's been a lot of disgruntled talk over Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2006. Well, you can probably guess where I fall on that list. As a beginning professional in the field of librarianship, I see this trend every day. Social software and tagging, blogging, user-centered design, it all revolves around the consumer of the resources folks. That consumer is all of us. I think the cover probably cost them more to print than just opting for a photo of their "famous" person year to year. I'd bet that reflective surface bumped up the printing costs a bit. So, in short, cut Time a break, I'm sure by the end of aught seven, they'll have had enough time to weigh candidates and as Steven Colbert pointed out maybe they'll pick "Us" or "We" or "the World".
I've found podcasts for a bunch of my friends, tailored to their personal interests in just a few minutes of scroll through the iTunes list, and yes, there are many more podcasts that exist than those indexed there. Go ye and multiply your casts. ;)
BTW, I know there's been a lot of disgruntled talk over Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2006. Well, you can probably guess where I fall on that list. As a beginning professional in the field of librarianship, I see this trend every day. Social software and tagging, blogging, user-centered design, it all revolves around the consumer of the resources folks. That consumer is all of us. I think the cover probably cost them more to print than just opting for a photo of their "famous" person year to year. I'd bet that reflective surface bumped up the printing costs a bit. So, in short, cut Time a break, I'm sure by the end of aught seven, they'll have had enough time to weigh candidates and as Steven Colbert pointed out maybe they'll pick "Us" or "We" or "the World".
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
In A New York Minute
It seems fitting for me to use this title for the first post of the new year. Not only did 2006 retrospectively seem to go very quickly, but I also spent a week in New York City just before Christmas.
To recap the recent trip:
Erik and I spent 5 days in NYC, staying at my cousin's apartment right near the Museum of Natural History. We did a number of activities while there, including art museums and libraries, a broadway show, ice skating, and visiting friends at Columbia U. All in all Erik's blog sums it up pretty well. I'm also happy we didn't want to kill each other after ;)
Also, a recent holiday note: the "Santa" House on my street seems to draw flocks and droves of people every year. I am all for people having the "Christmas Spirit" and enjoying the holiday lights...but seriously, this is causing a huge traffic flow problem in the neighborhood and I'm worried someone will get hurt. This is a semi-circle street so those of us at the bottom of the circle can just opt to go the other way. The problem stems from the people that drive 5 miles an hour down the whole street in what appears to be anticipation of the house. Don't worry folks, it's lit up. You won't miss it if you go 25 miles an hour for the rest of the street. Also, please either stay in your car and TURN OFF your own car's lights, so those of us passing by on the street do NOT think you are going to pull out at a moment's notice and run into us. Also make sure your kids look both ways before they get out of the car and run across the street to marvel at the little train or penguins okay?
Now that that rant is out of the way.
New Year's Eve:
I made turkish pizza for some friends, it was successful: yay for me and basic baking.
We went to the Dublin Underground. It was also fun. I even got the doorman to take a picture of all of us at the end of the night.
So, mostly, my point is, things happen quickly in life. You'll blink and miss something wonderful. So as 2007 is upon us, remember to stop every once in awhile and reflect on the great stuff that happens. It's alot better than stopping to dwell on the negative. Here is wishing you all a happy finish to 06 and a healthy happy start to 07.
To recap the recent trip:
Erik and I spent 5 days in NYC, staying at my cousin's apartment right near the Museum of Natural History. We did a number of activities while there, including art museums and libraries, a broadway show, ice skating, and visiting friends at Columbia U. All in all Erik's blog sums it up pretty well. I'm also happy we didn't want to kill each other after ;)
Also, a recent holiday note: the "Santa" House on my street seems to draw flocks and droves of people every year. I am all for people having the "Christmas Spirit" and enjoying the holiday lights...but seriously, this is causing a huge traffic flow problem in the neighborhood and I'm worried someone will get hurt. This is a semi-circle street so those of us at the bottom of the circle can just opt to go the other way. The problem stems from the people that drive 5 miles an hour down the whole street in what appears to be anticipation of the house. Don't worry folks, it's lit up. You won't miss it if you go 25 miles an hour for the rest of the street. Also, please either stay in your car and TURN OFF your own car's lights, so those of us passing by on the street do NOT think you are going to pull out at a moment's notice and run into us. Also make sure your kids look both ways before they get out of the car and run across the street to marvel at the little train or penguins okay?
Now that that rant is out of the way.
New Year's Eve:
I made turkish pizza for some friends, it was successful: yay for me and basic baking.
We went to the Dublin Underground. It was also fun. I even got the doorman to take a picture of all of us at the end of the night.
So, mostly, my point is, things happen quickly in life. You'll blink and miss something wonderful. So as 2007 is upon us, remember to stop every once in awhile and reflect on the great stuff that happens. It's alot better than stopping to dwell on the negative. Here is wishing you all a happy finish to 06 and a healthy happy start to 07.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
