Library Grrrls!

Hi everybody:

Well, I'm settling into my circulation clerk job little by little. I am a bit confused by the *lack* of work here, though. For instance, I was told my work study student is the "first line of defense." in other words, let them handle the routine tasks unless the line gets backed up. OK, fine. But I'm on the late-night shift and there's little to do here. So I asked around about "little projects to do when it's quiet." The reply? There are none. At least not until summer (when I am off).

I'm noticing a lot of 'Net surfing by the other employees and the work studies. OK, fine. But I am also noticing that while I also can surf, it distracts me to the point where I've made a few mistakes. I just had to redo a job because my mind wasn't on my work. I don't *like* this tendency in myself--to get so far into the 'net or a book or whatever that I am sort of ditzy when it comes to work.

So...I'm not bitchin' here, but, um...any suggestions? What should I be doing with my spare time? I've already familiarized myself with the reference database, and I"m not really supposed to leave the desk. The job was described to me by a coworker as "making sure the library doesn't burn down and gets locked at night."

It's funny, but it ain't funny. You know?

Hi, grrls:

About two weeks after I started my new circulation clerk position, a co worker told me about a job opening at a local community college. It's for a full time reference librarian, and it pays about $40K.

She said they got NO applicants, because 1) no one fresh out of L-school wants to work in a community college in our somewhat depressed locale; and 2) that pay is too low. Academic ref libs usually make about $60K. Not what I heard, but hey...

She also said the last person with the job had only a BA in English, and they sent her to library school part-time.

Is this possible? Can a non-trained person really do a reference job at a college?

Also, another question: is circulation really "the most important part of a library"? So I've heard it said. The reason I ask is not to step on toes, but because we are losing 3 people from reference, and possibly one from circulation, yet we've been told there is a hiring freeze at our college. My husband says they've got to "thaw" some of this, because no way can a library function after losing four people.

What do you think? Can they squeak along?

I graduated with my MLS from Drexel last December with the hopes of going into cataloging, but there are few to no openings in my state, much less my county. I am currently employed full time at a small branch library at the circulation desk, where I have been for nearly five years. I plan to keep this position indefinitely.

I contacted a nearby public library and asked if they could use any volunteer help with cataloging. I attached my resume so they could see my experience. Their response was an enthusiastic yes, and I start today.

My question is, how do I handle keeping track of the amount of time I spend at this library? I will be assisting the cataloger for about two hours each week. Do you think it will be necessary to ask the library to let me keep track of my hours? Is this something I should do on my own, without bothering them about it? Or, is it entirely unnecessary, as long as I remember when I started and how long I spend there?

Thanks for your help!

Hi, me again!

I started my new job this past week, and it's going very well. My boss is great, my co workers seem nice and so far it has been fairly easy as I've been in training. I'll be shadowing other people for the next few days, then flying solo next week.

I still have not quite figured out the dress code. Because of the unseasonable heat wave, the staff was wearing all kinds of stuff (even flip flops). I asked and was told "business casual."

I've been in a bit of a panic because I usually wore dresses in the summer to the office. I don't think any of them would work here. Also I tended to wear artwear (i.e. Blue fish T shirts) and in looking over my summer clothes, some of them are abominably worn out and sloppy (I found HOLES in one linen shirt).

Can anyone tell me some basic pieces I might want to start out with? I make my own jewelry and as a mixed-media artist I like to dress for self-expression--but I don't want to be freakish. Despite all I've read online about tattooed and pierced librarians, I must admit I have never met one. :(

Thanks!!

I was offered and have accepted a job I mentioned in an earlier post. If you missed it, it's a library tech position at the circulation desk in an academic library. I'll mostly be working with work/study students (because of the weird hours).

I will finally get a chance to know whether or not I like library work enough to pursue an master's in library science. And it looks like it will be low-stress (something I need at this point).

The down side is, it's part-time, and the hours most probably will interfere with any other job I might get, and the pay is low. It's a nine-month appointment (meaning no work in the summer). And no benefits.

On the one hand, I am happy and excited. On the other hand I'm very worried, as we really need more money. I am hoping that it will lead to something better. At the very least, I hope to LIKE the job. Which is a biggie for me. ;)

Part of the "hours and another job issue" is that it is 8 pm to midnight four days a week, plus 5 to midnight Sundays (there are exceptions, like during exam week). Also I kind of have to be "on call" in case someone on the afternoon shift calls in sick. They might, say, call me at noon and ask "can you come in at 4 pm?" The boss stressed this over and over on the phone and in person. I am getting a little suspicious that this happens a lot, even though he says it doesn't. Now what if I had another job and and couldn't do what he asked?

I told them I was going to go to library school, as if it were a done deal. I don't know how/if I could actually afford to do it. I've looked at web sites for Clarion and Pitt, and it looks like there's no such thing as grants for grad students. (Though I might be wrong about this). Just loans. Because I thought, maybe I could just live on grants while going to school and working, since I had such a low income, they're bound to give me something.

Anyway, I don't want to ramble on.

BUT, I do have a question: what sort of clothing would be appropriate for this job? I've had office jobs, mostly, in the past.

Note: I think this got lost at the end of my last thread. So I thought I would repost in case no one saw it. Thanks!
Hey, I have an update! They called me today for an interview (tentative) for Monday.

I finally did get some letters of reference: one from my former boss, one from a colleague (same job as the boss), one from my boss from 10 years ago and the other from a lifelong friend who is a lawyer.

If anybody's got any advice for the interview let me know.

Here's the job description. I know I can handle it. It's just a question of convincing them. Also, I am wondering about the "salary" part. Any idea what I should ask for?
As I mentioned in my earlier post, I have not worked in a library in a long time. I'm not expecting the job to pay a lot but I really want the experience etc. Thanks!

"This position will be a team member in the busy customer service environment of the Library Circulation department. The successful candidate is responsible for assisting with book, reserves, media, and laptop checkouts as well as supervising work-study students during evening shifts and weekends. This position is also cross-trained to take media requests, process reserves and retrieve A-V equipment. A high school or GED degree is the minimal requirement. The ideal candidate will also have prior Academic library experience and a solid understanding of the vision and mission of higher education.

Requirements include good computer skills, excellent verbal and written communication abilities, attention to detail, and familiarity with A-V equipment. Customer-focused “people skills” and schedule flexibility are also required. An enthusiasm for an innovative, evolving library environment is important. Reliability is essential for any interested candidate. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience."

I'm applying for a job as a part-time circulation clerk at my alma mater. They want 3 letters of recommendation. Here's my situation: I was laid off from my non-library job 2.5 years ago, and I don't think I"m on the best of terms with some of my former co workers. There was a kind of coup d'etat there, and there might be one or two people who would recommend me.

Second, I have a good friend who is a librarian, and I've asked her.

Third, I graduated with my BA in English in '01. The former English dept. head is my contact on Linked In, but he's moved on to another university.

Fourth, I did a little volunteer work in the fall at the local historical society museum.

Fifth, I have a former co worker who has offered to be a reference for me.

Of all these people, whom do you think I should ask to write my references? I feel so lost and out of touch with the "real world." Also my last library experience was in the early 1990s (circulation) so I have no idea if I would even get the darned job.

Advice? Please? Thank you!

What's your take on e-readers? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Own one? Which one?

Our library system lacks the $20K they need in software to make e-books available. But the librarians all have them and say they are a "lot of fun." I'm considering buying a Kindle. I like the Nook, too, but what if B&N goes out of business and support is lost?

Do you think that e-books will replace paper books? I do not.

Hi, grrls:

I've been considering a library career for years now. Whenever I've talked about it on here or with "real live" librarians, they've all said the same thing: get some volunteer experience and it will make all the difference.
Recently I filled out an application for volunteering at one of our local branches. I basically got the runaround. I was told to call back at least twice. Then I got a letter from the director (after runaround lady told me she had to talk to the director) saying "thanks but we don't need any employees". I called back and told them I wanted to volunteer (of course I'd love a real job but I know there aren't any). Runaround Lady said she'd talk to the director ("among the huge list of other things I need to talk to her about") and no one has gotten back to me.

My friend Dee is a librarian and she said they are "rarely worth the trouble to train." Because then they leave, I presume?

Should I just try elsewhere? Can anyone shed some light on this for me? I would think in times of austerity, libraries would be dying for volunteers.