Children's Programs

After a couple months in the children's department, I'm learning that this is just the sort of environment I was meant to be in.  After a couple incidents with helping children use the computers (learning stations) and have them give me hugs as thanks... yeah, there's very little stress to be had here.  Maybe it's because I'm so laid back (I had some coworkers from circ ask me about it and then comment on some of the parents that come through.  I suppose these parents drive them crazy, but I really don't know anything about that.  Maybe I have encountered this type of parent, but if I have, then I don't remember.  I can empathize with people, so if they were rude or short with me, I probably understood why and didn't take offense.

But, the one big thing that's happening that I'm excited for is the CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING I'll get to do!  I've been assigned to do two preschool programs -- one on the 22nd and one on the 23rd -- and I'm ultra-excited about it.  Sure, I'm nervous as hell because I don't know that many rhymes/songs or even finger plays, but I've been picking my coworker's brains for ideas, and they've been very helpful in explaining the format of the programs they do.  Now that I have a basic idea of how things go, I can plot a program for everyone to enjoy.

The only thing that excites me more is the thought that, once I'm comfortable with the regular programming, that I can introduce some new programs to the department.  There aren't any programs for school-aged children, and I think some sort of reading program might help strengthen their interest in books.  I'd like to run a program where I read chapter books to groups over the course of several sessions.  I loved being read to when I was a kid and I'm sure there are those who love it, but who might not have anyone to read to them.

Also, I want to run a writing club for kids.  That would be so AWESOME that I can't  even express how I feel about it now.  Needless to say that it would be ultra-positive and my ultimate goal as a tech!  Inspire those young minds to great things and help them discover creative outlets.

A Children's Library Technician is Me

So, things have been happening very quickly.  After a job interview down in Kitchener (and getting lost on the drive down) an opening came in my own library!  The position is part-time, but it's in the children's department, which is something I had in the back of my mind as something I'd like to do.  Well, I applied and got the job, so now I'm writing this as a tech who is doing what she studied!  Cataloguing, reference, children's programs!  There's nothing I won't do now.

I'm excited to cut my teeth on some cataloguing.  After learning about it for three years, I just know that it's the sort of thing I'll love doing.  I'll abuse the 505 fields for those non-fic books.  I've learned from giving reference services that having those fields in there and populated can help a lot with bringing up hits for search terms.  It just makes the whole collection that much more accessible!  Heeee, I can't wait!

I'd mentioned about my display project.  After much hitting my head against the desk in trying to come up with an idea, something hit me.

The books themselves are FUN!  And they're at a book party!  So... here's the fruits of my labour.  If I'd had more time, I think the party could have been more jumping, but I'm fairly happy with how it turned out.

Displays and Job hunting

To keep up with my initial idea to write about my adventures in libraries and information technology, I suppose I should update my status.

Presently, I'm working at the public library with a new display assignment: Fun Fiction.
This will be displayed in the main hallway where everyone will see it.  I usually go for more information-based displays with text printouts.  I did one previously that was visually-based and it was a success, so I'm trying that with this one as well.  I will have a bunch of books have a party and they will have googly eyes and pipecleaner arms and legs.  I will post pictures to see how this all goes down.

In other news, as much as I like my public library gig, it's part-time, and I'm feeling the need to stretch my legs and get some more hours.  To do this, I am applying to jobs all over Canada.  A few out in BC went unanswered, as did a few sent to Calgary, Alberta.  I did fire some resumes out at libraries around Ontario, and only one of them stuck.  The University of Toronto has a 6-month project going on where I'd be a Data Analyst.  Sounds sexy, eh?  Well, they called me in for an interview, so we'll see what happens there.  I'm feeling rather indifferent to the whole thing.  If it happens, it happens.  It's not a true library job (more like data entry with an edge) so I don't know how much practical experience I'll get there.
I'm just feeling so disillusioned with the whole job market... guess I'll join the club, eh?

It's just a matter of me weighing the pay and length of employment vs. the distance I'd have to travel and whether or not I'd have to move to the place.  I like my parents, so I'd like to stay relatively close, but if there's a 1-year contract out in England, I might jump on it, just for the sake of the experience.

Anybody want to hire a library tech?  I promise not to let you down ^_^

Being that responsible library type that I imagine I might become

I have this image in my head of what a librarian (or library tech) should be; the quiet, responsible type.  Intelligent and not prone to messing around.  They are not silly or juvenile, and they know what they want out of life.

This may be leaning towards stereotyping, but as I work in a public library, I get the increasing feeling that I'm too immature for that sort of environment.  I'm too happy to talk to patrons who need help, I'm too excited to organize the collection, or even put together displays.


I wish I had something more to say to this, but it's just a fleeting thought that struck me as I search for full time work.  Not that I mean that I'm utterly childish, but I suppose I have no patience for the politics that go on in libraries.  I just want to go in, do my job and be happy about it.

Heh, guess I'll never know what I want out of life.  Perhaps it's a good thing; it'll keep me guessing about where to go next, and I'll be prone to a few more adventures.

Recycling Display

So, shortly after the GN display I was given another.  This was another free-topic, so I decided to try and promote recycling in the community. 

I wanted to push three points:
- recycling programs in the community
- HOW to compost (some people don't know how to get started)
- safely disposing of hazardous household waste and electronic devices

I was cheap and used the same background that the previous display had been using, which is why the top looks so busy with all those earths and the bamboo background.  I was running late on putting this display together (I only had an hour and most of that time was spent removing the previous display).

I had a lot of information int his one, but I tried to keep it simple.  I made the text very large and easy to read, and kept it to point-form info so people could read it at a glance and come away with something environmentally friendly.

I suppose every display is an experiment in what works best.  I prefer displays that are out in the open and people can interact with.  I had one before (I didn't get a picture of it) that was promoting the adult non-fiction collection.  It was very simple; a table set up in the adult-non-fic section and I'd select interesting-looking non-fic books from the shelving carts to put out there.  It was surprising how quickly I needed to refill it, and I loved just watching people go to the reference desk, notice the table, and pick through the items on display.  I had 3 signs on it, and they were set up on bookends so they could be easily removed.  They advertised: "Sometimes Fact is better than Fiction" "Interesting Non-Fiction Reads" and "The Book you are looking for could be Right Here!"

I wish my library did more interactive displays.

Graphic Novel Display

I talked about his in January, but didn't get around to posting about it once I'd put up the display.  It stayed up for a good month or so before it had to come down.  Looking at it, I wish I'd chosen something different for the title of the display, but I suppose it's "comic-y" enough, and it stands out, which is the most important thing.

So, after some thought I decided to be selfish and promote the graphic novel display.  I quizzed a few people around work to find out what they thought of when they heard "Graphic Novel" and a lot of them had no idea.  Some thought they were simple comics, others didn't have an opinion.

Our GNs are stored in with the Non-Fiction collection, in with the Dewey Decimals around 741.5.  It's hard to find them, so I thought I'd let people know where they are.

I put up some notes that said, "Not just comic strips!" and the pulled some books from our collection to put in there.  The biggest problem I had with the display was my choice of backdrop.  I thought that material would be easier to tape to the case, eliminating the hassle of taping black tissue paper up there.

Well, material is heavier than regular paper.  As such, it was dragging down and I had to pin it into the cabinet so it wouldn't sag and look like crap.  It was left in there for a long time, and I even heard that some people were asking about GNs at the info desk, wondering if we could order more for them.  This was so encouraging for me.  I love promoting the collection!