People? Letters? Islam.....

It is paper season! Yup, I was bombarded with patrons today from 3rd graders to college students jump starting on their papers. While I was helping several patrons today, I noticed three girls plunk down in the Reference 900s and pretty much remodel it. I kid you not, they had books EVERYWHERE on the floor.

Normally this is awesome, but the Reference 900s is across from my 200's area, which is a pretty high traffic area in my library. A lot of people weren't able to get to what they needed because these girls were sitting in the floor. All in all though, I didn't say anything to them because I was proud of these students for jump starting on their papers.

I ended up asking one girl what she was working on and pulled several nonfiction books for her. A little while later another girl surfaced from under all the books that they had pulled. She looked a little lost as she browsed the Reference 800s (which is by my desk) so I asked if I could help her. Her response was as follows:

Girl (about 20 yrs. old): Um...I don't think you will be able to help me......*silence*

Me: Well, tell me what you are looking for?

Girl: Um......well......I"m.........looking.........for.......*silence*........*more silence*.......people.

Me (half asleep from the long silent pauses): Are you looking for a particular person?

Girl: No......more like.........uh.......things they have written?

*Sidenote: It took just about everything I had not to respond with, "oh you mean books?"
But here is what I said instead.....

Me: Autobiographies?

Girl: No...............letters?

Me: Correspondences?

Girl:....*silence* no......um, Islam I guess.........*crickets chirping*



I could tell this girl had no clue what she was looking for. To spare you the painful teeth pulling conversation, here is what she was really looking for: Religious artifacts before the Bible was written to help her prove that the Bible was real

When I was in Library School, we had an assignment to find a Reference Librarian and give them the vaguest topic and see if they could help the us narrow it down by asking us questions. The whole assignment was to teach us how to draw things out of students. I sometimes think that someone is pulling this assignment on me...but then I realize that some people have no skill at vocalizing what they want....or they are just dumb.

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.