When we started this course, we were cautioned that the first two weeks were the worst. It was overwhelming--I wasn't getting to bed until 2am and then only getting four hours of sleep. Well, the two weeks have come and gone, and it is getting more manageable. The librarian in me is keeping me on track. When I sit at the computer, the first thing I do is go over all of the announcements and discussion boards for each class, and then double check the syllabus for each one to make sure I've done everything. After that, I like to complete any computer-based work and then retire to my ever-present reading list.
Today's To-Do List is: Read Chapter 8 of "Discovering Computers", double check that I have completed all of the account set ups, and continue reading "Double Fold."
Systematically going through Courseweb and my assignments will hopefully keep me "on track."
Monday, May 28, 2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007
German-Masontown Public Library
I identify myself as a school librarian, but in the last year I moved closer to my family and gave up a beloved school library job. Unfortunately, in this semi-rural area, all of the school jobs were taken, so I took a part-time position at the local public library. I will give you a little history on the library, discuss the pros and cons of being in a public library versus a school one, and then conclude with a decision I made about my career and schooling connected to this library.
The German-Masontown Public Library used to be a synagogue, but our neighborhood didn't have a large Jewish population and in the 1960's they went elsewhere and gave their building up with the stipulation that it become a public library. By the late 1960's that vision became a reality! By the way, the Star of David is still evident at the front entrance of the building.
In my part-time position, I am the Library Director and the only librarian on staff. The pay is what you would expect of a small rural library, and I only took the job to get out into the community and meet people. I work with Shirley, a clerk who has been there 25 years, and Rachel, the weekend clerk. A good circulation day would be checking out fifty items; a great day would have over one hundred! Unfortunately, in this count of fifty items, half of the check outs is due to videos. That is on a good day or a great day--the usual day has about 20-40 items checked out.
The pros I've found working in a small rural public library are that there is less stress and ample opportunity for "visits" with the townsfolk. There are a lot of visits because people don't think we really work there. Maybe that is a pro for the patrons more than for me!
The cons of public library service for me are a lack of professionalism among the staff (not only in dress but in library operations such as cataloging), a measure of unsafety (no locked entry doors like at school) and most importantly, it's just not a school!
Nevertheless, working here is a nice way to pass the day. That is why my decision to resign my post is so shocking to my Board of Directors. They wanted to know why I was so unhappy I wanted to quit; they offered me eight more dollars per hour (this made my day because they really are tight!) and they even offered to let me bring my four children to work with me during the summer (wouldn't the kids have been thrilled?) The real scoop is this: Even though I have applied for a school librarian opening, I really want to spend the summer with my children (and have time to do LIS 2000 and LIS 2600). When they offered me more money, I was able to tell them that I wasn't after more money (the tack of previous librarians), I didn't yet have a new job, I just wanted the summer!
The German-Masontown Public Library used to be a synagogue, but our neighborhood didn't have a large Jewish population and in the 1960's they went elsewhere and gave their building up with the stipulation that it become a public library. By the late 1960's that vision became a reality! By the way, the Star of David is still evident at the front entrance of the building.
In my part-time position, I am the Library Director and the only librarian on staff. The pay is what you would expect of a small rural library, and I only took the job to get out into the community and meet people. I work with Shirley, a clerk who has been there 25 years, and Rachel, the weekend clerk. A good circulation day would be checking out fifty items; a great day would have over one hundred! Unfortunately, in this count of fifty items, half of the check outs is due to videos. That is on a good day or a great day--the usual day has about 20-40 items checked out.
The pros I've found working in a small rural public library are that there is less stress and ample opportunity for "visits" with the townsfolk. There are a lot of visits because people don't think we really work there. Maybe that is a pro for the patrons more than for me!
The cons of public library service for me are a lack of professionalism among the staff (not only in dress but in library operations such as cataloging), a measure of unsafety (no locked entry doors like at school) and most importantly, it's just not a school!
Nevertheless, working here is a nice way to pass the day. That is why my decision to resign my post is so shocking to my Board of Directors. They wanted to know why I was so unhappy I wanted to quit; they offered me eight more dollars per hour (this made my day because they really are tight!) and they even offered to let me bring my four children to work with me during the summer (wouldn't the kids have been thrilled?) The real scoop is this: Even though I have applied for a school librarian opening, I really want to spend the summer with my children (and have time to do LIS 2000 and LIS 2600). When they offered me more money, I was able to tell them that I wasn't after more money (the tack of previous librarians), I didn't yet have a new job, I just wanted the summer!
Monday, May 21, 2007
My New Addiction
Here I am sitting in my living room, having completed my first online week of classes through the University of Pittsburgh's program, and I have a confession to make: I am addicted to my new classes and all of the technology that they have to offer. Don't get me wrong; I'm not a technology geek. It's just that I'm seeing how useful (and fun) all of this stuff can be. For instance, Skype would be perfect for my sister and her son, who is college bound this August. Even for a novice like me, blogging is a fun, easy activity. I even find that the school's Blackboard is an interesting way to have classes, discussions, and share ideas. The only thing marring my happiness with school is Kuhn--I definitely am NOT addicted to Kuhn!
Former addictions: Chocolate and Diet Coke (I'm still in withdrawal)
Former addictions: Chocolate and Diet Coke (I'm still in withdrawal)
Saturday, May 19, 2007
High Expectations
The second official day of school, I was panicking. I was too old for this, my brain didn't work like it used to, I could have been reading a novel right now...I was really kicking myself for signing up for all of this work. It briefly crossed my mind that I could quit, but then I remembered that I aspired to be a good role model to my four children. Our talks about their futures always center around a solid educational foundation, and that my great regret was that I didn't go on to grad school. 
I gave myself a pep talk, reminded myself to keep positive, and told myself that I could do this! When I got down to business, I realized that while there were a lot of things to do, they weren't terribly difficult. The reading list alone was daunting, but hey, I love to read! I can do this! I will do this!
I have to do a good job at school. You see, my two teenagers have high expectations of me. They reminded me that I expected them to strive to get all A's, so that is what they expect of me. I wouldn't want to disappoint them, so I'd better get to work...
I gave myself a pep talk, reminded myself to keep positive, and told myself that I could do this! When I got down to business, I realized that while there were a lot of things to do, they weren't terribly difficult. The reading list alone was daunting, but hey, I love to read! I can do this! I will do this! I have to do a good job at school. You see, my two teenagers have high expectations of me. They reminded me that I expected them to strive to get all A's, so that is what they expect of me. I wouldn't want to disappoint them, so I'd better get to work...
"Two-Letter Words"
About a year ago, I came across the most powerful two-letter words, and they changed my life. Somewhere, maybe in a magazine, I read this thought-provoker: "If it is to be, it is up to me." Why did this speak to me? It seemed to me that I always was in a holding pattern, and couldn't do the things that I thought were important in life. Don't get me wrong, I had a good life. But I felt like I was sleepwalking through it and that I had no control over what my life would become. Those two-letter words really had me thinking. Things won't change unless I help them to change. When I realized this, my life did finally change. So, things were up to me, and I decided that I needed to pursue my long-held goal of attaining a master's degree. This blog will chronicle the ups and downs as I navigate my way to that diploma. I know that I will achieve this goal because, "If it is to be, it is up to me!"
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