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)