Links and Miscellaneous Things I Like

Best quote ever:

"Picking on libraries is like picking on premature babies: what sort of person would actually do it?"- Anthony Doerr in his article Learning to Read on Zero Dollars a Day

This is what they have been saying for YEARS! Where is this magical place that there is a growth in the library field?

"Figures compiled in the United States Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition state the potential for future employment in the library sciences is above average, due in part to a large body of current librarians nearing retirement age and to the ongoing modernization of libraries overall." Occupation Outlook Handbook 

Ashford University will be providing a BA program for Library Science... where was this when I was an Undergraduate? It doesn't provide the professional certificate... but still. To be able to take more classes would have been a great opportunity. I felt like I had to put 1.5 billion interests into this small 36 credit bubble. Read the full article here: Ashford University Introduces Bachelor's Degree in Library Science and Media.

Since I am in this boat also, I have really appreciated these articles:

Doing Summer Reading for the First Time

Summer Reading is Killing Me
I have read others, I just can't for the life of me remember where they were!

I have also recently found, on suggestion from boss lady and then by happenstance: Miss Mollie's Storytime Fun. It's amazing what you can do with felt. Librarians never cease to amaze me. Miss Mollie has an amazing blogroll that I have begun reading as well. I love the story time ideas! I'll need them soon enough!

YA Revolt has a new meaning...

I am still gainfully employed.

I got word this past week that I was going to be bounced to another library in my city. I am truly thankful for it. I get to work with a new group of people, some I have met before so that is exciting. Over all there are way more pros than cons, especially because, well, I still have a job.

Here is the thing. I will be a children's librarian. I have only been a young adult librarian for 6 months but I fell in love with it. One day I'll be back.

Here is my challenge: I have to plan the summer reading program. We are using the collaborative theme, One World, Many Stories that libraries all over the United States. So I have a built in multicultural theme that I find interesting and easy to work with. There is a great educational aspect of it that I admire. Kids don't know there is a whole world outside of their city much less their country. I planned a whole program for my library with the teenagers so that is the sad part, now, to do it all over again with a younger audience. Any help is appreciated.

So here is my second point. I think that I am still going to continue this blog in the spirit of Young Adult. Maybe a little children's once in a while, because, well, kid's books are cute.

I will be revolting against my job. I will be a Children's librarian trapped in the body of a YA librarian.

I look forward to the challenge.

A Delicate Matter

I eagerly awaited watching the budget unveiling yesterday, here is the summary of that...Proposed Rochester budget juggles cuts, services

I work at the library mentioned. By mid summer, our hours will be cut from a whopping 75 (We had enhanced hours because of the particular neighborhood we're in, and our we share a building with  a recreation center and school) to 40 hours per week, just like the other libraries in our branches. This was the topic of every conversation at work yesterday. And this is what I said: "no libraries are closing down and recreation centers are staying open, over all it was a very good day, if you look at the big picture."

But (because there is always a 'but')... We're losing part time positions. My position is one of the positions on the chopping block. I have spent the last 11 days not knowing if I will have a job come August 1.

When I was told I quickly replied "But... But... my job is needed here! I just got comfortable, the kids just started talking to me... Wait, what about the adult librarian... oh, no, But look at all those teens out there..."

I am heartbroken and frustrated. It's a cycle.

First, it's a pity party. I waited a long time for this job and I enjoy the people I work with. I was looking forward to the future and building these relationships with the teenagers and community I am in... and that is being taken away from me. I have worked for this library system for over 10 years and the hopes I had for a long term career are being dashed.

And then the frustration creeps in... I get that the hours are being cut, but why cut the librarians? I get that we're the newer positions, but why are they making a library populated by the lower level positions? Why did I go to school to get my masters degree when the majority of the people who work at the library don't even need to be college educated? How is this going to fix the big picture?

And the cycle turns again.... back into the pity party because really, I am 28 years old without health insurance and I need to grow up some day...

Then the second round of anger comes back. I was told to stay hopeful, maybe I'll get bounced around. But that is all I was told, 11 days ago. So I am still left in the lurch, not being able to react to this mountain of possible change.

An Ongoing Post of Random Coincidences in Books

(I know there are more, these are books I've read or come across since December)
*On the list more than once

Private/Reform/Special School
Fallen by Lauren Kate*
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey
I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

Human in love with an Supernatural being (Vampire, Angel, Werewolf, etc)
Fallen by Lauren Kate*

Main Character is Dead or Can Talk to the Dead
Hold Me Closer Necromancer by Lish McBride


Greek God/Goddess Mythology
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Abandon by Meg Cabot
Sirenz

Celebrated Pregnancy
Bumped by Megan McCafferty
Wither by Lauren DeStefano*


Dystopian
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
XVI by Julia Karr
Wither by Lauren Destefano*
Hunger Games Suzanne Collins

The Month of May

It is Zombie Awareness Month! Read a little about it here: Zombie Research Society. I wandered around work sulking tonight because I have a serious lack in Zombie themed books. Le sigh.

It is also:
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Mental Health Awareness Month

I would not know these things if I were not a librarian... (One who has a serious fetish for displays)