It feel great to have a week under my belt! I learned a lot this week and already feel relatively comfortable with the children's room, staff, and procedures. I appreciate that I'm gradually gaining more responsibility and independence - I haven't really felt overwhelmed since the beginning of the week.
Actually I was starting to feel like I was ready to dive in and start doing things, so I'm glad that my manager gave me a list of responsibilities through the beginning of January. I'm excited! Some things I feel ready for right now, and others I can definitely see myself prepared for by the time they happen.
My first solo storytime is this Friday! A visiting preschool wants something centered on the theme of "All About Me." I've been searching for some good storytime books on self-esteem, body parts, and celebrating each other's differences. It should be fun! I'm also taking over one Toddler Time session starting in October. Yay little ones!
By the end of this month I also need to settle on a winter break program, to be implemented probably the first week of January. I need a great idea! In addition I need to come up with a new regular program to plan and run myself. I have a lot of ideas for that, but I need to think about finding something that is both exciting and yet not unrealistic for my first independent program.
There are also some collection development, collection maintenance, and display creation duties that should keep me busy.
I'm starting to feel like a real librarian, guys! Are you sure they're paying me to have this much fun?!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Day 2 - Helping actual patrons!
Today I was assigned time on the desk, and although I don't know how to answer many questions, I did help some patrons!
My very first patron was a very well spoken little lady who was looking for Night at the Museum on DVD. When we couldn't find it on the children's media shelf, I was confused, but she assured me that it was in "the violence section." Apparently this meant the general DVD collection because I found it.
Another young man was looking for books on something called "LEGO Ninjago." When I found him the most recent book, brand new and featuring a two-headed dragon monster on the cover, his eyes got as big as saucers. It was awesome. I also found him books on Spiderman, Batman, and the Avengers.
What a great job.
My very first patron was a very well spoken little lady who was looking for Night at the Museum on DVD. When we couldn't find it on the children's media shelf, I was confused, but she assured me that it was in "the violence section." Apparently this meant the general DVD collection because I found it.
Another young man was looking for books on something called "LEGO Ninjago." When I found him the most recent book, brand new and featuring a two-headed dragon monster on the cover, his eyes got as big as saucers. It was awesome. I also found him books on Spiderman, Batman, and the Avengers.
What a great job.
Monday, September 10, 2012
First day = success!
Hello! Today was my very first day as a professional librarian, and it's starting to feel real. I may not have dreamed this whole thing, guys!
How did I get here? After college, I joined a teaching program, but the experience was not entirely a positive one for me. There were some aspects of teaching that I did really love, however, like working with kids and young people and making a difference by educating them. So I moved back in with my parents, started thinking about other possible career paths and one day it hit me - why not be a librarian instead of a teacher?
I honestly don't know how I never thought of that possibility before. Once the idea entered my head I could see how it fit perfectly with my interests and personal strengths.
What I learned when I started to research the profession is that a librarian these days needs a masters degree - in "Library Science" or "Library and Information Science," depending on the school. That wasn't a problem for me, since I've always done well in school and did plan on going to grad school at some point. I decided to enter the iSchool at the University of Pittsburgh for my MLIS and concentrate in Services for Children and Youth.
I have to say that I had a great time at Pitt and met some fantastic library friends who will hopefully keep in touch as they start their own careers in "library world!"
After graduation I moved back home (again) to focus entirely on getting my first full-time librarian job, as a children's librarian in a public library.
Amazingly and luckily it only took me 25 days to be offered a wonderful job in southern Indiana! I am so happy and blessed to be here. Everyone I have met has been so welcoming, and I'm really looking forward to everything that I'm going to be doing.
My move down here was a bit hectic! My dad came with me to get me settled in, and I am so grateful because he was a huge huge source of support and guidance. Although I had scheduled appointments beforehand, I basically found and settled on an apartment in three hours and moved in later the same afternoon! The next day was spent buying furniture (because an air mattress and floor cushions was not going to cut it like in grad school!). My Eagle Scout dad tied my new box spring and mattress one by one to the top of the car and took two trips to Costco (plus three trips to Target) to furnish my new apartment. Thanks, Dad!
First impressions of Kentuckiana: super friendly people, slow drivers, lots of blown-out tires on the side of the road, confusing interchanges on the freeway and an incredibly high number of seafood restaurants. I still need to ask someone what is up with all the seafood places. Maybe it's just my part of town but there are seriously at least eight of them.
I was a little bit nervous for my first day of work (I think I may actually have to be a grown-up now?), but everyone was great and I think I did process a lot of the information that was thrown at me. I can't wait to learn more and do more!
Here's to my rookie year as a librarian!
How did I get here? After college, I joined a teaching program, but the experience was not entirely a positive one for me. There were some aspects of teaching that I did really love, however, like working with kids and young people and making a difference by educating them. So I moved back in with my parents, started thinking about other possible career paths and one day it hit me - why not be a librarian instead of a teacher?
I honestly don't know how I never thought of that possibility before. Once the idea entered my head I could see how it fit perfectly with my interests and personal strengths.
What I learned when I started to research the profession is that a librarian these days needs a masters degree - in "Library Science" or "Library and Information Science," depending on the school. That wasn't a problem for me, since I've always done well in school and did plan on going to grad school at some point. I decided to enter the iSchool at the University of Pittsburgh for my MLIS and concentrate in Services for Children and Youth.
I have to say that I had a great time at Pitt and met some fantastic library friends who will hopefully keep in touch as they start their own careers in "library world!"
After graduation I moved back home (again) to focus entirely on getting my first full-time librarian job, as a children's librarian in a public library.
Amazingly and luckily it only took me 25 days to be offered a wonderful job in southern Indiana! I am so happy and blessed to be here. Everyone I have met has been so welcoming, and I'm really looking forward to everything that I'm going to be doing.
My move down here was a bit hectic! My dad came with me to get me settled in, and I am so grateful because he was a huge huge source of support and guidance. Although I had scheduled appointments beforehand, I basically found and settled on an apartment in three hours and moved in later the same afternoon! The next day was spent buying furniture (because an air mattress and floor cushions was not going to cut it like in grad school!). My Eagle Scout dad tied my new box spring and mattress one by one to the top of the car and took two trips to Costco (plus three trips to Target) to furnish my new apartment. Thanks, Dad!
First impressions of Kentuckiana: super friendly people, slow drivers, lots of blown-out tires on the side of the road, confusing interchanges on the freeway and an incredibly high number of seafood restaurants. I still need to ask someone what is up with all the seafood places. Maybe it's just my part of town but there are seriously at least eight of them.
I was a little bit nervous for my first day of work (I think I may actually have to be a grown-up now?), but everyone was great and I think I did process a lot of the information that was thrown at me. I can't wait to learn more and do more!
Here's to my rookie year as a librarian!
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