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!
Showing posts with label dream job. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dream job. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
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 ^_^
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 ^_^
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Funky ideas for funky libraries -- Giving patrons a new way of interacting with libraries
Two interesting articles on one library in the Netherlands. The idea of Bookdrop tagging is really fascinating. It would encourage patron participation in classifying books using pre-determined tags. Unfortunately, another blog article followed up with that project, and it wasn't as successful as I'd have hoped: What Could Kill an Elegant, High-Value Participatory Project?
I think this happens a lot with different libraries in that someone gets an idea for how to change the way things are done, but nobody thinks to ask the front-line staff that will be responsible for maintaining/integrating/etc. the new system.
I think this sort of project would be great for a small school library with a small community of patrons that are eager to share their thoughts on books with one another. It would be smaller and easier to maintain, as well as encourage young people to read more by making it more interactive.
Another story that caught my attention while checking my blogroll was this: Bookstore Night in Buenos Aires Encourages Reading : NPR
I haven't the words to express myself on this, except to maybe say it's an effing great idea. Seriously, how cool would that be to place comfortable things like couches in the least-likely place you could think of to have a reading party? This reminds me of the midnight-book parties they used to have for the release of a new Harry Potter book. I don't think my library ever did anything like that, but I'd have loved to be involved in that. It's the sort of funky, out-of-the-way, out of the box type thing that I'm all about.
I think this happens a lot with different libraries in that someone gets an idea for how to change the way things are done, but nobody thinks to ask the front-line staff that will be responsible for maintaining/integrating/etc. the new system.
I think this sort of project would be great for a small school library with a small community of patrons that are eager to share their thoughts on books with one another. It would be smaller and easier to maintain, as well as encourage young people to read more by making it more interactive.
Another story that caught my attention while checking my blogroll was this: Bookstore Night in Buenos Aires Encourages Reading : NPR
I haven't the words to express myself on this, except to maybe say it's an effing great idea. Seriously, how cool would that be to place comfortable things like couches in the least-likely place you could think of to have a reading party? This reminds me of the midnight-book parties they used to have for the release of a new Harry Potter book. I don't think my library ever did anything like that, but I'd have loved to be involved in that. It's the sort of funky, out-of-the-way, out of the box type thing that I'm all about.
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