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.