gunz.

A patron was asking me to look up any firearm references in our city's ordinance when he decided to make polite conversation...

Patron: Ma'am, I just wanted to let you know that I am carrying a firearm.

*sigh* I really wish you wouldn't. 

Welcome to the South, y'all. 

Everyone loves a good blonde joke (Especially if there is a librarian involved!)

You don't hear many jokes with librarians in them so I thought I would share!

A blonde walked in a library and went to the librarian, pulls out a thick book and started screaming at her.

She yells, "THIS BOOK IS HORRIBLE! THERE ARE TOO MANY CHARACTERS AND NO PLOT WHATSOEVER!"

The librarian stares at her, then calmly replies, "So you're the one who took our phone book."


Sad thing is, I can totally see this happening ( from a librarian's POV) 

Excuse me....

So I am just sitting at my desk when a patron (female, late 50s) approaches me.

Patron: Excuse me.

Me: Yes, can I help you with something?

Patron: Can I use the restroom?

You know, no one has ever asked me that. Usually I get "Where is the restroom?", but not this question. For some reason I just thought this was so funny.

Oh and of course I said yes.

I can finally have my life back...

As I explained before the lack of posts have been from the chaos surrounding the new job and leaving my old one.

Well...I did leave out one other factor....I have become consumed with Karen Marie Moning's Fever series. Seriously...consumed.

So what is this series? 

It has everything from vampires to fae doused with Southern charm and Dublin. I described it to one friend as Buffy meets Sookie. Mackalya Lane leaves her quiet live the South and heads to Dublin for one purpose only: to solve her sister's murder. But once she gets there she realizes there is more to this world than she ever thought possible.

This was recommended to me by a fellow librarian and friend. She has yet to steer me wrong with recommendations (well...except for Kristen Ashley) and I am so happy I picked up the first book, Darkfever. 

Normally, paranormal novels really aren't my thing. I have nothing against them, but they are not something I usually gravitate towards. That being said, I will definitely start reading more paranormal novels...especially anything by Karen Marie Moning. I loved the writing, plot, intrigue, twist and turns, and the characters. Plus, the chemistry between the two main characters Mac and Barrons is sizzling! Especially since the author is able to expand on their relationship for 5 novels.

I really don't know if I can properly express how awesome this series is!

I have finished the 5 main books in the Fever series, but there is also a companion graphic novel and another novel, Iced (a spinoff sequel), both of which I currently have checked out right now. I will probably have both within a week.

If you are looking for an awesome series that will take over your life, then look no further. Don't have time for a series to take over your life? Then you are sadly missing out! This series is worth it friends.

Exciting News!

I am terribly excited to announce that I have landed a Reference Librarian job!

Yup Yup Yup people.

Sadly, this new job is not at the library I have been working at the past year. I loved my job and the people there, but the salary was entry level, so I started looking for other jobs. I was hoping that something might come open at my library, but I knew that was a long shot (at least for a few years).

So I have been  regularly applying to any jobs that come open in my county. I had applied for a local Children's Dept. Head job, but I didn't get an interview. While I was discussing that position with several coworkers, one was like "Oh did you see that job in so in so county?"

Ears perked.

I had never applied within the county south of mine. I live two seconds away from the county line and have several friends that work within that system, but I just had never run across any positions.

I had my application completed with 15 minutes.

I was beyond ecstatic to get an interview. Since I had never been to this library, I decided to make a trip down the road. I had been toying with the idea of moving into this county because the cost of living is so much cheaper. Plus, I really liked how the area was growing. This library is small and older, but I have heard rumors that there are plans for a big expansion.

From my initial walk through, I realized that this library is pretty small. And that they are sticker happy. I noticed sometimes up to 4 stickers on a spine. But overall, I thought it had a lot of charm...and not nearly enough YA books.

The day of the interview dawned and dressed in my new suit, I was pretty prepared. I had my portfolio all ready. My portfolio is something that I take to every interview. I hope that it will set me apart and make me rememberable to the interview team. So what does this awesome portfolio have inside you ask? Well, besides my resume, I include all the bookmarks I have created, any signs I have designed for library programs and anything I think will showcase my creative side. Basically, I want to give them a visual of my awesome work ethic. Let me tell you, I have been on some through interviews but these people had some questions. Lord, the questions. I have no idea the exact number but I would imagine maybe between 40 to 50. A lot of them were just different versions of previous questions, which might have been to test how I think on my feet.

I won't bore you with all the details, but I thought the interview just went OK. I didn't think I wowed them or anything so I pushed this job into my "gaining interview experience" file and trucked on. Well, a few days later I got a message requesting a 2nd interview. I did debate over whether or not to take the 2nd interview. Looking back now, I was a fool to even consider not taking the interview. Why would I ever think to throw away an interview opportunity when library jobs are so few a far between? Number one reason? I loved my current job. I was comfortable there and I absolutely loved it. Yeah I gave a ton of other reasons, but I didn't want to leave my safety zone. But my dad said a 2nd interview wouldn't hurt...and it didn't. Quite painless.

I also turned on the charm pretty heavily in the 2nd interview and I must admit that I can be pretty charming.

The 2nd interview consisted of 4 questions.

First question was regarding computer and technology experience. I knew from the first interview that this position was laced pretty heavily with web maintenance and other tech savvy ways.

Second question was all about grant writing experience.

For the life of me I can't remember what the 3rd question was about. Maybe reference? Not a clue. The last question was about where I saw myself in 5 years with an underlining question regarding about being a director.

After this interview, I craved this job. Not only for the salary, but also for the prospect of collection development. I thrive on collection development. I dream of it. Seriously, the thought of building and tailoring a collection to my community is what gets this librarian all hot and bothered. Ha!

By this point in time everyone at my current job at heard about my interviews so I was getting questioned nonstop. I was suppose to hear from them a few days after (by Friday), but got nothing. By the weekend, I knew I had been passed over and had already refiled this interview back into the "gaining interview experience" file.

And then came Monday....

I knew they had checked my reference. Gossip thrives at my job, but they also spoke with other people not listed on my references. I kinda got excited at this point, but I didn't want to get my hopes up.

And then they called me! I don't know who was more surprised. Me that they called or them because I accepted!

All of this happened almost a month ago. Since then my life has been thrown completely into chaos...and I kind of like it. Saddest part about leaving my job was telling my book club. I loved these people! I got lots of encouraging e-mails, hugs, and even some notes/presents (told you they were awesome!).

The reason for my lack of updates is because I hit the ground running at this job and I haven't stopped!

So what do I do?

Well, besides from ordering nonfiction and reference books I also maintain the spanish collection (very small) and the classic books. I am in charge of the website upkeep (it is run through the city, so no web design or anything), I teach 6 different computer classes (Computer basics, Basic Email and Internet, Word 1 and 2, and Excel 1 and 2), I supervise the pages (3 HS students), I do some scheduling, grant writing, and I run an outreach kids book club. There are lots of other things I do, but my brain is slightly fried right now, so that is all I can remember.

I am really excited about this new chapter. Look for more updates soon (though not as frequently!)

Donation (Noun):Something that is given to a charity, esp. a sum of money.

I was shelving some DVDs when a patron, mid to late 20s, approached me. I had noticed him looking at the video game collection for some time.

Patron: Hi, does the library take video games for donations?

Me: Yes! (we have a great video game collection, but they are constantly checkout.)

Patron: Really? I have a bunch of older games and I know if I tried to sell them that I wouldn't get much money for them.

Me: The library would definitely use the donation and we could give you a tax receipt.

Patron: So, what would y'all do with them?

Me (a little confused by this question): Well, we would add them to the collection for circulation.

Patron: Well I am glad y'all can use them. How much would you give me for them?

Me: Sorry?

Patron: Well, maybe $5 a game? I know that they are older, but they are still in great condition.

Me: I am sorry, sir but we can't buy them from you?

Patron: Well you have to buy them from somebody.

Me: We buy them new from retailers.

Patron: I don't see why you can't buy them from me. You said you would take them.

Me: You said you wanted to donate them. Since it would be a donation, we would take them, because they would be free....as in a donation. 

Forget you, Library!

My library is currently doing a fundraiser involving local college football teams (football is BIG here). Patrons can donate money in honor of the favorite team with each dollar counting as one vote. Whichever team has the most votes gets big bragging rights and the staff can where that teams colors for a week. It is something simple and fun.

To promote this fundraiser, we have a ballot box and big poster sign at the Circulation desk. Most of the circ staff has been telling patrons about the friendly competition and it is going over well. I did hear this delightful conversation though.....

Librarian(trying to explain how the competition works): Well, every dollar equals one vote. All the money is used to benefit the library.

Patron (large woman, mid 30s - very annoyed and loud): Forget the library. I'm broke!!

Why so sneaky?

My of the main parts of my job is to call patrons and let them know that they have forgotten to include a disc in the DVD case. I do this all the time and I'm the only person at my library who does it (because it is part of being the problem person).

I always explain to the patron that the item cannot be checked in until we have the missing part, therefore it will remain on the their account...but people want to be sneaky.

Patron (carrying a disc): Hi, I turned the case in for this yesterday and I got a call saying I forgot the disc.

Me: No problem, ma'am. Let me go get the case. (I always check it in while they are there so I can notify them of any late charges)....   Ok, so the DVD is 3 days late which means there is a $3 fine on your account.

Patron: Well, I talked to the girl yesterday who called me and she said she was gonna waive the fines.

Me: That was me you spoke with and I didn't say that.

Patron: Oh. (walks away)

Weekend Finds

Used book store finds from this weekend. I know I haven't been posting much, but I am just kinda swamped in life right now. Not so swamped that I didn't have time to run down to the used bookstore and use all my store credit.
Sadly, only one of these books is for me. The other three are Christmas presents. I picked up Full Bloom for $1 and the main reason that two friends on Goodreads gave it high ratings. I have never read anything by Jayne Ann Krentz/Stephanie Laurens, but I know she is popular. I am currently reading it and for it being over 20 years old, it isn't dated at all. Whether or not it is good remains to be seen.
Bitter is the New Black is a standby Christmas present for me. I really think one of the volunteers at my library will love it. I read Cutting for Stone for my book group and LOVED it. Love, love, love! So I thought my sister would appreciate it. Quest for Justice is for my dad, because he loves anything legal and this is a local author/lawyer.

I will try to get back to posting regularly. I have a couple of picture book reviews saved up that needed to be posted for the world to see.

The mystery of the stolen charger....

One of my part-time people asked me to come help with a situation with a patron regarding a charger of some form. I didn't know anything about the situation when I approached the patron.

Patron: Hi, the daytime security officer said I could plug my charger into the outlet next to the drink machine, but he said it might get stolen.

Me: Ok, was it stolen?

Patron: No, no one would want it. It cost $5 and it was very tattered.

Me: Ok, so what's going on?

Patron: Well, has anyone turned a charger in recently? Mine is gone.

Me: No, it was probably stolen.

Patron: Well, it was hidden between the coke machine. No one could see it.

Me: But obviously someone found because it isn't there.

Patron: But no one would want that charger.

Me: Obviously someone did. The security officer did warn you that it might be stolen.

Patron: He did, but no one would want that and it was hidden out of sight.



We had this conversation for like 10 more minutes until I handed it over to the security guard, who went on the same merry-go-around for 10 more minutes.

Shameless Plug for such a cute puppy!

How could you not want to vote for such a cute little puppy?

Just click on the link and leave a comment. One comment = one vote.

on.fb.me/TBAdwE

Shameless plug I know....but seriously....how cute is this? (slightly biased)

Book Club 2013 Selection

My library book club's 2013 selections....

       January 8th - A Parchment of Leave by Silas House
       February 12th - Quest for Justice: Defending the Damned by Richard S.
                       Jaffe (Author will be present for Feb. 12th meeting)
       March 12th - A Grown-up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson
       April 9th - 84 Charing Cross Road and The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street
                      by Helene Hanff
       May 14th - Life of Pi by Yann Martel
       June 11th - Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
       July 9th - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
       August 13th - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by
                           Sherman Alexie
       September 10th - Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
       October 8th - Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
       November 12th - Defending Jacob by William Landay
       December 10th - The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

In other news, I am alive. Just swamped with work and a new addiction to anythig

written by Lisa Kleypas. Seriously good.  

Oh, joy.

Girl Who Played With The Dragon Tattoo

Patron: Yes, I want to place a hold on The Girl Who Played with Fire movie.

 

Me: No problem.

Patron: But I don’t want the foreign film.

Me: I am sorry but the foreign film is the only movie that is available.

Patron: What about the one with Daniel Craig?

Me: Oooh, you must mean The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which was released on DVD earlier this year.

Patron: No, I already saw that. I want the next one.

Me: They haven’t made it yet. The only one available is the foreign film. 

Patron: But I just saw the Daniel Craig one….

Me: Yes, but they haven’t made the 2^nd movie yet.

Patron: Why not?

Me: Because the 1^st one was just released….Like I said the only one that is available is the foreign film.

Patron: But I don’t want that one.

Me: Well there you go.

We gotta eat....

September is Food for Fines month at my library. We give patrons the option to bring in canned goods or nonperishable items and we will reduce their fines (up to $10). We have been really promoting this and trying to tell all the patrons about this. I guess some people aren't as excited as we are considering the phone call I just got....

Me: Circulation Department


Patron: Hey, I can't bring you any canned goods cause we gotta eat.

Me: Um. Ok. 

Money, Money, Money!

Patron (on the phone): Hi, I turned in Catching Fire on Wednesday and I left something in it so I was wondering if you could see if it is still in the book....um, it is $500 cash.





Sidenote: I want to be the level of rich where I can use $500 cash as a bookmark. 

Book Group Voting Continues.... part 8.75 maybe?

Last week I created two posts with the possible choices that my book group will be voting on. Those two lists have pretty much been massacred since then. For one, I had one of the members send me 8 titles. From that I weeded out 3 (2 were over the designated page limit and the last one was the 2nd in a series).

I ended up removing Gone Girl because it did go over the page limit we set, sadly. I thought maybe I could sneak this in but since I was weeding other books because of this rule, I decided to be tough.

Agnes and the Hitman was removed because it was one of my suggestions and as much as I loved it, I wasn't too sure my book group would love it. I like it might have been too light hearted for them and when more members started adding titles I had to make room.

The Fault in Our Stars also was removed....I know I know....I hated to do it, but again it was one of my suggestions and I needed to make room. Plus I really thing they will like the Sherman Alexie book better.

Clara and Mr. Tiffany was taken off because it went over the page limit. A book club member suggested this title and I put it on there without checking.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie was again one of my suggestions and it was removed to make room. It isn't like this book is going anywhere. I can always add it next year. 

Here is the new list (and hopefully the last....hopefully)

Fiction:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

The Stranger by Albert Camus

A Parchment of Leaves by Silas House

A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson 


Defending Jacob by William Landay  

The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

Home by Toni Morrison

The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips (Local Author)

Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple 

All the Names by José Saramago

The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Chang and Eng by Darin Strauss 

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

Nonfiction:

Muddy Boots and Red Socks by Malcolm W. Browne 

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

The Airmen and the Headhunters by Judith Heimann

Quest for Justice: Defending the Damned by Richard S. Jaffe (Birmingham Author)

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared by Alice Ozma

It Worked For Me by Colin Powell

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

Take the Cannoli by Sarah Vowell