Out of my Element

Today was my third day as a Reference Librarian and I feel so dumb. I had a patron ask for books on horse slaughtering, and I do not believe I was successful in answering her question. I know I'm still learning and performing reference interviews will become better for me. In class, I remember we had to conduct a reference interview from the patrons standpoint, however being on the other side is whole different ball game. Though I feel completely stupid at this moment, I know library school provided me with the tools to do this. My task now is how figure a way that works for me. On a happier note, I get my own section to order for and its the arts section(760-799), though I do wish I had taken a collection development class but my inexperience could help or hurt me.

Officially a Professional Librarian!

This past Wednesday, I became a Reference Librarian at my local library in Tuscaloosa. It is only part time, so I still have my night job at the University. I never thought about being a Reference Librarian, I focused more on archives, museums, and youth services. I did do well in my reference class, though. I know I can do this, just still wrapping my mind around the idea. At the moment, nothing extremely hard has come up and I've been able to help people find material. I have a feeling that everybody is going to train me, so soon all the things I need to know will be filtered, and filed properly into my fuzzy head. Who knows I may come to love reference work.

Down to one

My last day at one of my part-time jobs is today. It was a temporary position that was supposed to be extended if I needed it but the person that said I could do that resigned a month ago. So, that leaves me with one part-time job, which is better than nothing. However, it is not enough being that I have lots of bills to pay and after the government cuts me not much is left. I am on the job hunt still, and I know that everything will be fine eventually. I am trying to remain positive but sometimes it 's just so hard to smile when I'm crying on the inside.

Job Hunting Sucks!!

I am still seeking employment as the rejections letters, emails, postcards and phone calls keep coming in. Job outlook to me, not so great. The killing part, loads of library jobs out there...the problem the required qualifications. I have 10+ years of library experience in a variety of library setting, however these jobs are not considered as professional library experience. So, what am I supposed to do, well work two part-time jobs as apparently I'm qualified to do that. If I had known that I would end up back where I started, well worse off than I started I would have just kept my full time and part-time job as a non-librarian. Why? because now I'm working one job that's okay and one that like really people, its not that deep, you don't pay me enough for this. I'm just irritated with all this because I don't want to just go through the same cycle, work, sleep, work, sleep. I want to live life,one excellent paying job and happiness at least some. I want to cease to exist but live.

Strangest Interview

Okay, so in my previous post I discussed how strange the interview was, in reflection I believe he had no intention of hiring me. Why? because he didn't ask any questions, and basically said I didn't have the qualifications for the job, but since it was being made entry-level expectations were low. When I asked what skills I needed to be successful in the job, he just shrugged his shoulders. I understand that this is new thing he is doing, however all employers have an idea of what they want someone to be able to do. Remember, I said he talked the entire time, so he went on to say that he doesn't discriminate by race, sex, and stuff. However, he preceded to give me an example of how he wasn't racist because he does this competition with these guys who happen to be black. I thought this odd, and so did a few of my friends. Anyway, I didn't get the job but they want to maintain my application for future employment, whatever.

Welcome to my world!

Hello all, I am a recent graduate of the University of Alabama and welcome you on my endeavor to find a job as a librarian.Currently, I am working two part-time jobs in an academic and public library setting and I am exhausted. I wonder if by the time I do get a job in my profession that I will be completely burned out. I had an interview last Friday for a job working entry-level and the interviewer asked if I was okay working with someone who made 25,000 bucks more than me. I said sure because realistically I have to get my foot in the door somewhere, and I know I'll have to work my butt off to get a chance at other opportunities. So, the interview was interesting in that I didn't have to talk much at all, the Director talked the entire hour and a half. At the close of the interview I was asked questions like my favorite color, what kind of pets do I like, what sport do I like to watch and other things. I thought this was odd but he had his reasons why he asked the questions, he said it was to make sure people were matched with similar personalities. I forgot one of the first questions asked was am I okay working with a Tennessee fan. Hmmm, YES! I need a job, so who you cheer for doesn't matter, though I'm ROLL TIDE all the way. I had more to say in this blog post, however I lost my train of thought from all the screaming children in the library today, as I patiently wait for the ones that need homework help.

Book Review:Insatiable by Meg Cabot

This book took me longer to read than usual.Why? It was boring, and basically I made myself finish it because I wanted to see how the love triangle would end between the main characters, of course I was left unsatisfied. What I believe will happen as with everything I've been reading lately that this will be a series, which I will be conflicted to read. Should I continue or not? It was 200 pages in before the pace started to pick up.This book for me seemed like just every other vampire book and parts of it seemed like Trueblood. The main character Meena is psychic, with the ability to see when people die, Sookie can read thoughts, the brother in the book is not very high on the intellectual skills, same in Trueblood. The male love interests both want her for her ability for whatever reason, same with Sookie. Now this show is not the only thing that this book made me think about while I was reading, in Bram Stokers' Dracula the main characters name was..you guessed it Mina. Overall, if you can get past the beginning of the book is okay...the only other book by this author I've listened to was Jinx.With so many people on the vampire writing bandwagon lately, it really needs a original twist to be different and captivating? Otherwise,can you say overkill.