Some people are talkers. They have a story, an opinion, a comment on just about everything. I'm not one of them. I tend to be quiet and sometimes have to make an effort to participate in a conversation that involves several people. Even then, I generally don't elaborate unless asked.
I've noticed that people who are natural talkers are also expressive in other ways - like writing. Their letters, memos, emails, etc. tend to be longer than mine.
My communications, whether oral or written, are usually succinct. Some would say terse.
One of my goals with this blog was to practice more extensive writing. Not that I think a succinct (or terse) style is necessarily bad. It's just that sometimes a situation calls for more information or expression or elaboration and I want to have as many skills available to me as possible.
When I first began this post I thought it would be longer. Maybe I need more practice or maybe being succinct is what's needed in this case.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
With Thanks to the Rolling Stones
You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometime, you just might find, you get what you need.
I don't often listen to rock music anymore, but I did back when this song was popular.
Composing a Life by Mary Catherine Bateson has been on my mental "to read" list for a long
time. I finally requested it via Interlibrary loan. And a few weeks ago, just browsing through the fiction section of my local public library, I picked up (and have sinced finished reading) Open House by Elizabeth Berg. Coming on the heels of Eat, Pray, Love and Committed that's a lot of introspection. (I did, however, take a fun romp in the middle of the above quartet with Original Sin by Beth McMullen.)I'm still digesting all of the ideas that have been swarming through my mind as I identify with segments of all of these other womens' stories and feeling how their resolutions might fit into my life.
In Committed Elizabeth Gilbert is faced with having to marry her Brazilian born lover so that he can travel freely to and from the United States. Since both had been through difficult divorces, they were reluctant to marry again. While they wait for the beaurocracy to grind through the process, Liz researched marriage by reading vociferously and also interviewing women in the countries they visited. I, too, was resistant to getting married and am still ambivalent about legalizing my relationship with my partner of 20 years. We did so, like Liz, for practical reasons.
Open House is the story of Samantha whose husband has left her for a younger woman. During her 15-year marriage, she devoted herself totally to being a wife and mother and is now faced with learning who she really is underneath those other rolls. I see the similarities in how I viewed my job which ended before I was ready to leave. I'm now exploring other options, while often wishing - like Samantha does about her marriage - that I were still at that job.
And Composing a Life delves into the lives of 5 women who have had to make changes as their circumstances took unexpected paths.
I hadn't planned to read all of these books together; it just kind of happened. But the confluence, while not something I specifically want, may turn out to be something I need.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Tote Bags
The back seat of my car is full of canvas tote bags. I use them whenever I go shopping to avoid getting plastic bags. Many stores will give me 5 or 10 cents off my purchase for each tote bag I use. The only downside is that I also don't get large paper bags which I need for recycling, so I'm always on the lookout for those.
In the last 2 days, I've had the opportunity to look at tote bags from an entirely different perspective. I volunteered to work at the Clark Art Institute library for a variety of reasons. One is that I like to go there to see the current exhibit and during the winter months there is no admission charge. Also, the Library was one of the test sites for RDA, the controversial new cataloging code that the Library of Congress is intending to adopt as of January 1, 2013.
I've been dreading the coming of RDA because I'm going to have to teach it in Information Organization (I've been talking about it in class, but have avoided getting into too much detail) and likely be using it if I continue working as a cataloger. Since I'm no longer affiliated with a library, I'm on my own for getting any sort of training.
A couple of weeks ago, I contacted one of the librarians I know at the Clark and asked if I could spend some time at their library. Librarians there were not only trained, but have decided to continue using RDA instead of the "old rules" even though it's not yet the official code.
Well my friend was soooo happy and said she could easily put me to work on materials they acquired from the most recent Venice Biennale, an international arts festival that's been held every 2 years since 1895. The materials wanted cataloged? Tote bags!
Each nation has its own pavilion and produces a plethora of materials including books, press kits and tote bags. Someone on the staff had already cataloged the press kits so I had some metadata with which to work. Otherwise, I used whatever was printed on the tote bags.
The new rules are not drastically different, at least for this sort of material. Once I had cataloged a couple of bags and had the structure I wanted, I used that information as sort of a template and made appropriate modifications for the other bags. I left all the records in a save file to be reviewed before they are uploaded to OCLC, the database on which most libraries depend for metadata. All of them have the genre subject heading "Tote bags" which I learned is an official term within the Art and Architecture Thesaurus. Now I have some new "war stories" to tell my students next semester.
I loved my 2 days at the Clark. It felt good to be working even if it wasn't for pay. The librarian there was great about telling me and showing me some of the specifics of RDA and things that she learned. And she was so happy to have the tote bags (or most of them, anyway) cataloged. It was a good situation for everyone.
I also learned it is a long and slow trip to the Clark from where I live. I don't travel it often and I don't usually have a deadline for getting there, so I was much more aware of the routes. In fact, I tried 3 different routes for the 2 round trips. None is easy; each is slow and winding in its own way. They are all very scenic, though, so on a nice sunny day the trip is a pleasure.
In the last 2 days, I've had the opportunity to look at tote bags from an entirely different perspective. I volunteered to work at the Clark Art Institute library for a variety of reasons. One is that I like to go there to see the current exhibit and during the winter months there is no admission charge. Also, the Library was one of the test sites for RDA, the controversial new cataloging code that the Library of Congress is intending to adopt as of January 1, 2013.
I've been dreading the coming of RDA because I'm going to have to teach it in Information Organization (I've been talking about it in class, but have avoided getting into too much detail) and likely be using it if I continue working as a cataloger. Since I'm no longer affiliated with a library, I'm on my own for getting any sort of training.
A couple of weeks ago, I contacted one of the librarians I know at the Clark and asked if I could spend some time at their library. Librarians there were not only trained, but have decided to continue using RDA instead of the "old rules" even though it's not yet the official code.
Well my friend was soooo happy and said she could easily put me to work on materials they acquired from the most recent Venice Biennale, an international arts festival that's been held every 2 years since 1895. The materials wanted cataloged? Tote bags!
Each nation has its own pavilion and produces a plethora of materials including books, press kits and tote bags. Someone on the staff had already cataloged the press kits so I had some metadata with which to work. Otherwise, I used whatever was printed on the tote bags.
The new rules are not drastically different, at least for this sort of material. Once I had cataloged a couple of bags and had the structure I wanted, I used that information as sort of a template and made appropriate modifications for the other bags. I left all the records in a save file to be reviewed before they are uploaded to OCLC, the database on which most libraries depend for metadata. All of them have the genre subject heading "Tote bags" which I learned is an official term within the Art and Architecture Thesaurus. Now I have some new "war stories" to tell my students next semester.
I loved my 2 days at the Clark. It felt good to be working even if it wasn't for pay. The librarian there was great about telling me and showing me some of the specifics of RDA and things that she learned. And she was so happy to have the tote bags (or most of them, anyway) cataloged. It was a good situation for everyone.
I also learned it is a long and slow trip to the Clark from where I live. I don't travel it often and I don't usually have a deadline for getting there, so I was much more aware of the routes. In fact, I tried 3 different routes for the 2 round trips. None is easy; each is slow and winding in its own way. They are all very scenic, though, so on a nice sunny day the trip is a pleasure.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Obsession - or is it Compulsion?
I've already begun waking up in the middle of the night thinking about how I'm going to make changes to LIS415 next semester. I understand that catalogers don't have OCD. They have CDO - that's OCD but in alphabetical order. :-)
The other news I have is that I am probably going to be the new fitness instructor at the Hatfield Senior Center. This is one of the volunteer jobs I called about yesterday. I was a volunteer fitness instructor at the Greenfield YMCA for 8 years and really loved it. I was even certified by ACE (American Council on Exercise) and the YMCA.
Being the instructor is the perfect way to insure you work out. Even if you pay for aerobics classes, it's still easy enough to skip a class. But when you're teaching the class, there's no way you can skip.
For a while I considered a career change. However, it's hard to be a full-time fitness instructor. Even energetic 20-year-olds can't teach enough classes to pay the rent without causing serious bodily injury. Fitness instructors are often also Personal Trainers to give their muscles a rest and I wasn't sure I wanted to go the Personal Trainer route. I'm not certain why, though I know it involves a lot more training than I had at the time. Somehow being a Personal Trainer seemed to mean I would have a lot more responsibility and I didn't feel confident enough then.
Anyway, after some training (after all, it's been about 12 years since I've taught fitness classes) you'll be able to find me on Wednesday mornings boogeying at the Hatfield Senior Center.
The other news I have is that I am probably going to be the new fitness instructor at the Hatfield Senior Center. This is one of the volunteer jobs I called about yesterday. I was a volunteer fitness instructor at the Greenfield YMCA for 8 years and really loved it. I was even certified by ACE (American Council on Exercise) and the YMCA.
Being the instructor is the perfect way to insure you work out. Even if you pay for aerobics classes, it's still easy enough to skip a class. But when you're teaching the class, there's no way you can skip.
For a while I considered a career change. However, it's hard to be a full-time fitness instructor. Even energetic 20-year-olds can't teach enough classes to pay the rent without causing serious bodily injury. Fitness instructors are often also Personal Trainers to give their muscles a rest and I wasn't sure I wanted to go the Personal Trainer route. I'm not certain why, though I know it involves a lot more training than I had at the time. Somehow being a Personal Trainer seemed to mean I would have a lot more responsibility and I didn't feel confident enough then.
Anyway, after some training (after all, it's been about 12 years since I've taught fitness classes) you'll be able to find me on Wednesday mornings boogeying at the Hatfield Senior Center.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Some (Maybe) New Adventures
The semester has ended and over the weekend I compiled grades and submitted them to the Simmons GSLIS administration. My students did very well and I'm proud of them. They are going to make great librarians and archivists. And even if they choose not to continue in this field, they've made contacts and learned all kinds of practical skills and information that will be useful in whatever they decide to do.
Things have been very slow in libraries lately - at least my getting part-time jobs and short-term projects. So I've finally branched out and applied to a local temp agency for part-time office work. I don't know if this will result in anything. And even if it does, it won't pay what I get for library work, but I want to expand my horizons, develop new skills and generally keep my brain occupied.
I had applied for a full-time (even though I'd prefer not to work full-time) para professional job in a library nearby. Not surprisingly, I wasn't even interviewed; I'm so over-qualified for that job. But it would have involved tasks somewhat different than I'm used to and I figured "Why not?"
There are two volunteer opportunites that I've begun to pursue. One is totally non-library. More on them if they become a reality. I'm fortunate that money is not a major issue at the moment and I can "expand my horizons, develop new skills and generally keep my brain occupied" without necessarily worrying that these pursuits don't pay.
I've just started the sequal to Liz Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. It's called Committed
and comes at a significant time in my life. I am a newly married person who resisted that state of affairs for a very long time. My "boyfriend" and I lived together for 20 years before finally deciding to make it legal. Every year on the anniversary of our moving in together, we'd go out to dinner, make a toast, and commit to one more year. Last June on our 20th anniversary, we got married then went out to dinner, made a toast, and committed to one more year.
and comes at a significant time in my life. I am a newly married person who resisted that state of affairs for a very long time. My "boyfriend" and I lived together for 20 years before finally deciding to make it legal. Every year on the anniversary of our moving in together, we'd go out to dinner, make a toast, and commit to one more year. Last June on our 20th anniversary, we got married then went out to dinner, made a toast, and committed to one more year.So far it's working.
Monday, December 5, 2011
A Reasonably Productive Day
It's best for me to exercise first thing in the morning - before I have a chance to think about what I'm doing. This morning, I walked to the end of the road (1 mile, inclined downward) and back (1 mile inclined upward). It takes me about 40 minutes to make the trip and I'm always very warm by the time I return home.
The assignments are ALL GRADED!!! There were twice as many as usual because the students worked on these individually instead of in pairs.
And, I vacuumed the inside of my car. It looks lovely. When I bought this car a year ago, it was in pristine condition. I regret to say it does not look quite as nice as it did then, but I want to maintain it physically as well as mechanically. It's the nicest car I've ever owned and I want to take care of it.
I have a big day tomorrow, which I'll elaborate upon later.
The assignments are ALL GRADED!!! There were twice as many as usual because the students worked on these individually instead of in pairs.
And, I vacuumed the inside of my car. It looks lovely. When I bought this car a year ago, it was in pristine condition. I regret to say it does not look quite as nice as it did then, but I want to maintain it physically as well as mechanically. It's the nicest car I've ever owned and I want to take care of it.
I have a big day tomorrow, which I'll elaborate upon later.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Very un-energetic today
I don't why I feel so lethargic today. It's Sunday, but I haven't been doing anything strenuous.
I managed to print out the final assignments my students emailed to me so that I can grade them tomorrow. I made a nice breakfast; did some laundry; changed the sheets on the bed; still working on the dishes. Actually, now that I look at the list, that's not so bad. There are lots of leftovers in the fridge, so that's supper.
I do want to write out a few more Christmas cards. Since I only send cards to people I don't see very often (probably haven't seen in years), I include as much news as I can fit inside.
And, short as it is, this counts as today's blog entry.
I managed to print out the final assignments my students emailed to me so that I can grade them tomorrow. I made a nice breakfast; did some laundry; changed the sheets on the bed; still working on the dishes. Actually, now that I look at the list, that's not so bad. There are lots of leftovers in the fridge, so that's supper.
I do want to write out a few more Christmas cards. Since I only send cards to people I don't see very often (probably haven't seen in years), I include as much news as I can fit inside.
And, short as it is, this counts as today's blog entry.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
One More Class
Next Saturday is the last class of the semester. Today, most of my students gave an oral presentation on topics of Library Science history. Next week, the rest will give their presentations on topics on the future of Library Science. It's so much fun to see how excited they get as they research their topics. The only downside is some of them are not able to distill their information into the allotted time. I mark them down (not a lot, but some) if they go over their time limit.
They turned in their last homework assignment today. I'll spend Monday and/or Tuesday grading the papers so that I can return them next week. Then I still have to compile and submit final grades. Then I get a 5 week vacation - although some of that time will be spent preparing for the Spring Semester.
I've gotten back into the swing of morning exercise. That October snowstorm threw me off of my schedule and then I began experiencing pain in one knee. The pain is good incentive to spend time on Pilates or Yoga every morning because I can really feel the difference. Activity, specifically stretching, minimizes any discomfort. Both of my parents have arthritis and have had various joints replaced. I'm hoping that by paying close attention to my exercise routine (there's that discipline again) I can avoid a similar fate.
They turned in their last homework assignment today. I'll spend Monday and/or Tuesday grading the papers so that I can return them next week. Then I still have to compile and submit final grades. Then I get a 5 week vacation - although some of that time will be spent preparing for the Spring Semester.
I've gotten back into the swing of morning exercise. That October snowstorm threw me off of my schedule and then I began experiencing pain in one knee. The pain is good incentive to spend time on Pilates or Yoga every morning because I can really feel the difference. Activity, specifically stretching, minimizes any discomfort. Both of my parents have arthritis and have had various joints replaced. I'm hoping that by paying close attention to my exercise routine (there's that discipline again) I can avoid a similar fate.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Anxiety, Anger and Discipline
The last couple of mornings I awoke after some unsettling dreams.
Two nights ago, my dream had to do with being in the hospital for some sort of procedure that involved a large needle. To say that I was not looking forward to this is a vast understatement. Fortunately, I awoke before anything happened, but I was still left with the anxiety that accompanied the situation. I attributed the dream to the fact I had an appointment that morning at the local hospital for a routine mammogram, hardly something that would cause such anxiety.
The dream early this morning involved a former boss giving me some annoying and unwanted advice. I felt a lot of anger and responded in a very unladylike way. I then felt I had over reacted and considered apologizing to her, not for my anger but for my response. However, a colleague congratulated me saying she was proud of my outburst.
I don't take dreams too literally, but look at them as signs that something in my life needs some attention. If so, what is causing these feelings of anxiety and anger? Perhaps it's time to do some serious mediatation and explore deep inside my psyche. Am I ready to confront that?
And you may be wondering about the word Discipline in the title.
By posting to this blog daily, I'm trying to build some discipline in my life, a life which has been somewhat aimless the last few months. I'm hoping daily posting will stimulate some other activities that I'd like to pursue.
Two nights ago, my dream had to do with being in the hospital for some sort of procedure that involved a large needle. To say that I was not looking forward to this is a vast understatement. Fortunately, I awoke before anything happened, but I was still left with the anxiety that accompanied the situation. I attributed the dream to the fact I had an appointment that morning at the local hospital for a routine mammogram, hardly something that would cause such anxiety.
The dream early this morning involved a former boss giving me some annoying and unwanted advice. I felt a lot of anger and responded in a very unladylike way. I then felt I had over reacted and considered apologizing to her, not for my anger but for my response. However, a colleague congratulated me saying she was proud of my outburst.
I don't take dreams too literally, but look at them as signs that something in my life needs some attention. If so, what is causing these feelings of anxiety and anger? Perhaps it's time to do some serious mediatation and explore deep inside my psyche. Am I ready to confront that?
And you may be wondering about the word Discipline in the title.
By posting to this blog daily, I'm trying to build some discipline in my life, a life which has been somewhat aimless the last few months. I'm hoping daily posting will stimulate some other activities that I'd like to pursue.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
'Tis The Season
Sometimes I just have to go shopping.
Since I learned I might lose my job more than a year ago, I've been very careful about spending money. And since I decided I just have too much stuff, I've been very careful about accumulating more stuff. But sometimes I just have to go shopping. Like today.
I had an appointment this morning and I planned to restock the larder (some types of shopping still have to be done), but I did a little extra shopping, too. Being the frugal person that I am, I spent some time at Steals & Deals (or maybe it's Deals & Steals - I can never remember, but I know where it is) in Northampton. Since 2 pairs of sweatpants that were considered "play clothes" are now officially in the rag pile, I'm on the lookout for replacements. That I didn't find, but I did purchase some much needed socks (most of mine have holes in the heels and will soon follow the sweat pants to the rag pile) and some rubber boots. My new rubber boots are blue with a floral print. I can hardly wait for slushy snow in which to wear them.
I finished Eat, Pray, Love today. I almost feel like starting at the beginning and reading it all over again, but I think I'll take a break; I returned it to the library. Liz Gilbert's experiences while meditating are so intriguing that I'm seriously considering meditating myself. But in the meantime, I'm concentrating on Yoga. I had let it slip for a while, but I'm practicing most mornings now and trying very hard to pay attention and be mindful.
After a week off for Thanksgiving break, I'll be teaching again on Saturday. Well, not exactly. Some of my students will be giving their final presentations, so I get to sit back and listen to them. They are a very bright and energetic group and I'm really looking forward to hear what they have to say. Libraries and Archives will be in good hands once these people graduate and enter the workforce.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
At Sixes and Sevens
When two of my projects ended in mid-September, I hoped that it would be at least a couple of weeks before another one presented itself. I needed some respite. And since classes at Simmons-west had just started, I needed some prep time.
Be careful what you wish for. Except for a few days here and there, I haven't worked since.
The good thing is that I've had plenty of time to prepare for the class I'm teaching. It's going well. It's taking me just as long to prep as last semester since I'm reading each chapter with the students and reviewing all of the notes, etc. but being more familiar with the details of the course has made a big difference in my confidence level.
And the students are great. I have a smaller class (17) this semester than last (22) and they're a younger bunch overall. They are so bright and energetic I have great faith that libraries are in good hands.
Otherwise, I'm going through my periodic "What do I want to do with the rest of my life" phase. When I'm not working at least part-time, I'm "at sixes and sevens" - a phrase I've seen in British novels which means discombobulated, disoriented or just plain confused. There are lots of things I could do, but just don't feel all that motivated to do them.
I have lots of external factors on which to blame this feeling. Of course there was the October 29 snowstorm which left us without electricity for 6 days. My house is totally dependant on electricity. I have well water that needs electricity to be pumped into the house and an electric starter on the oil furnace. I do have lots of passive solar heating and a wood stove so we melted snow, cooked as if we were camping and were able to stay reasonably warm. My local public library was up and running after only a couple of days so I was able to charge my cell phone and use their Internet connection to communicate with the rest of the world.
But that was only one week of my life. What about the other 10 or so? I've done lots of reading, cooked some meals and frittered away many hours doing who-knows-what. I've had ample thoughts for posts, but they didn't travel to my fingers.
A few days ago I began to read Eat, Pray, Love. It's wonderful and I'm feeling very inspired. I've actually translated my mental To Do list onto paper and begun following through. One of the items was BLOG.
So let's hope this spurt of energy continues and I can become more productive than I have been the last few months. And maybe some external factors will also guide me along this journey called life.
Be careful what you wish for. Except for a few days here and there, I haven't worked since.
The good thing is that I've had plenty of time to prepare for the class I'm teaching. It's going well. It's taking me just as long to prep as last semester since I'm reading each chapter with the students and reviewing all of the notes, etc. but being more familiar with the details of the course has made a big difference in my confidence level.
And the students are great. I have a smaller class (17) this semester than last (22) and they're a younger bunch overall. They are so bright and energetic I have great faith that libraries are in good hands.
Otherwise, I'm going through my periodic "What do I want to do with the rest of my life" phase. When I'm not working at least part-time, I'm "at sixes and sevens" - a phrase I've seen in British novels which means discombobulated, disoriented or just plain confused. There are lots of things I could do, but just don't feel all that motivated to do them.
I have lots of external factors on which to blame this feeling. Of course there was the October 29 snowstorm which left us without electricity for 6 days. My house is totally dependant on electricity. I have well water that needs electricity to be pumped into the house and an electric starter on the oil furnace. I do have lots of passive solar heating and a wood stove so we melted snow, cooked as if we were camping and were able to stay reasonably warm. My local public library was up and running after only a couple of days so I was able to charge my cell phone and use their Internet connection to communicate with the rest of the world.
But that was only one week of my life. What about the other 10 or so? I've done lots of reading, cooked some meals and frittered away many hours doing who-knows-what. I've had ample thoughts for posts, but they didn't travel to my fingers.
A few days ago I began to read Eat, Pray, Love. It's wonderful and I'm feeling very inspired. I've actually translated my mental To Do list onto paper and begun following through. One of the items was BLOG.
So let's hope this spurt of energy continues and I can become more productive than I have been the last few months. And maybe some external factors will also guide me along this journey called life.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Closets and Basements
This could be a post about spring cleaning, but it's not.
Libraries are notorious for locating the Technical Services Department in out-of-the-way places like closets and basements. It's quite common not to have a window if you work as a cataloger.
For all of the years that I worked in the Tower Library (before it was named for the civil rights activist W.E.B. DuBois) at UMass/Amherst, I worked in an underground area where there was a view of a window from only a few places. Sometimes I'd go to work in the morning and when I left at the end of the day, the weather was so different I thought the seasons had changed.
Over the last few years, the design of that entire floor has been reconfigured and T.S. staff have been relocated to a section that looks out onto the Tippo Courtyard that looks like a beautiful postcard regardless of the time of year.
When I was a consultant for the Western and Central Mass. Regional Library Systems, I visited many libraries where Technical Services was located in some remote part of the building. I understand that libraries want patrons to see the best of the building and therefore staff who work with patrons do so in well-lit, attractive areas. Unfortunately, that sometimes leaves those who work behind the scenes in whatever is left - often basements or interior rooms.
Since I now work as a contract cataloger and my project is usually temporary, my desk is sometimes tucked where there is barely enough room. One of the places (several years ago) was actually the computer closet of a library. For 2 days each week for several months, I listened to the hum of the routers and servers as I created bib records. It was warm in there, but because of all the computer equipment, it was never allowed to get too hot.
I still spend more time than I like in windowless rooms, but I'm happy to report that several of the projects on which I'm working take place in lovely areas with lots of natural light.
If you happen to be involved in a library building project or renovation, please remember that there's lots of non-public library work to be done and those who do that work, do it better in pleasant surroundings.
Libraries are notorious for locating the Technical Services Department in out-of-the-way places like closets and basements. It's quite common not to have a window if you work as a cataloger.
For all of the years that I worked in the Tower Library (before it was named for the civil rights activist W.E.B. DuBois) at UMass/Amherst, I worked in an underground area where there was a view of a window from only a few places. Sometimes I'd go to work in the morning and when I left at the end of the day, the weather was so different I thought the seasons had changed.
Over the last few years, the design of that entire floor has been reconfigured and T.S. staff have been relocated to a section that looks out onto the Tippo Courtyard that looks like a beautiful postcard regardless of the time of year.
When I was a consultant for the Western and Central Mass. Regional Library Systems, I visited many libraries where Technical Services was located in some remote part of the building. I understand that libraries want patrons to see the best of the building and therefore staff who work with patrons do so in well-lit, attractive areas. Unfortunately, that sometimes leaves those who work behind the scenes in whatever is left - often basements or interior rooms.
Since I now work as a contract cataloger and my project is usually temporary, my desk is sometimes tucked where there is barely enough room. One of the places (several years ago) was actually the computer closet of a library. For 2 days each week for several months, I listened to the hum of the routers and servers as I created bib records. It was warm in there, but because of all the computer equipment, it was never allowed to get too hot.
I still spend more time than I like in windowless rooms, but I'm happy to report that several of the projects on which I'm working take place in lovely areas with lots of natural light.
If you happen to be involved in a library building project or renovation, please remember that there's lots of non-public library work to be done and those who do that work, do it better in pleasant surroundings.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Getting Sloppy
Not with my cataloging. NEVER!
For the last few weeks, when I wake up, rather than practicing Yoga or Pilates or going for a walk, I've been brewing a cup of coffee and toasting a slice or two of whole wheat bread. Then I sit on the sofa and watch the birds at the feeder and listen to the waterfall on the very little pond we've constructed near the house.
But as cozy as that scene is, I'm noticing that I feel stiffer and I'm not sleeping as well at night (although that could be caused by the suddenly hot and humid weather). So this morning (Monday is always a good day to begin good habits) I put on one of the easier Yoga audio tapes and spent 45 minutes stretching and breathing.
Then I brewed a cup of coffee and toasted 2 slices of whole wheat bread.
My perpetually changing schedule makes it difficult for me to get into a routine of exercising, but that's something I really need to work on. Last week I started my new project at MassCat cleaning up that database. I'm finding possible duplicate bibliographic records, determining if they really are duplicates, and merging all of the libraries' holdings onto one. I'm also upgrading skimpy records that were imported from other systems when the library joined MassCat. It's tedious work, but very gratifying. MassCat will have a squeeky clean database when I'm finished with it.
Cataloging for the private O'More Library is nearly complete so I only have to make one or two more trips to Cambridge.
And I need to start seriously preparing for LIS415. Now that I've re-energized my exercise program, can that be far behind?
For the last few weeks, when I wake up, rather than practicing Yoga or Pilates or going for a walk, I've been brewing a cup of coffee and toasting a slice or two of whole wheat bread. Then I sit on the sofa and watch the birds at the feeder and listen to the waterfall on the very little pond we've constructed near the house.
But as cozy as that scene is, I'm noticing that I feel stiffer and I'm not sleeping as well at night (although that could be caused by the suddenly hot and humid weather). So this morning (Monday is always a good day to begin good habits) I put on one of the easier Yoga audio tapes and spent 45 minutes stretching and breathing.
Then I brewed a cup of coffee and toasted 2 slices of whole wheat bread.
My perpetually changing schedule makes it difficult for me to get into a routine of exercising, but that's something I really need to work on. Last week I started my new project at MassCat cleaning up that database. I'm finding possible duplicate bibliographic records, determining if they really are duplicates, and merging all of the libraries' holdings onto one. I'm also upgrading skimpy records that were imported from other systems when the library joined MassCat. It's tedious work, but very gratifying. MassCat will have a squeeky clean database when I'm finished with it.
Cataloging for the private O'More Library is nearly complete so I only have to make one or two more trips to Cambridge.
And I need to start seriously preparing for LIS415. Now that I've re-energized my exercise program, can that be far behind?
Monday, July 4, 2011
Librarian Chic
"For people my age, being a Librarian is the thing to do. It's very chic." So said a twenty-something library staff member at a retirement party I attended recently.
I didn't know that, but it explains why so many people are enrolled in the Simmons GSLIS programs - both east (Boston) and west (Mt. Holyoke College). Until I actually worked in a library (at UMass/Amherst) I didn't know there was such a thing as a Masters degree in Library Science. I wonder how the profession became so hip. I guess all the PR over the years has finally begun to have an effect.
Given the current state of financial support for libraries, one might consider getting a Library degree to be a little risky. But I firmly believe that attending Library School helps develop some valuable skills that will come in handy in the future regardless of where you work. And there are a lot of library-related occupations out there where people can earn a living without working in a traditional library setting.
Right now, I'm doing okay as a contract cataloger working for libraries that have projects but don't want to hire staff. Even though I don't get benefits like health insurance and vacation time, I have flexible hours and I really enjoy the variety of going to different places and using different software. If nothing else, it keeps my brain nimble and I get to meet lots of interesting people.
So I'm glad being a Librarian is now the "in" thing to do. If only we made more money, too!
I didn't know that, but it explains why so many people are enrolled in the Simmons GSLIS programs - both east (Boston) and west (Mt. Holyoke College). Until I actually worked in a library (at UMass/Amherst) I didn't know there was such a thing as a Masters degree in Library Science. I wonder how the profession became so hip. I guess all the PR over the years has finally begun to have an effect.
Given the current state of financial support for libraries, one might consider getting a Library degree to be a little risky. But I firmly believe that attending Library School helps develop some valuable skills that will come in handy in the future regardless of where you work. And there are a lot of library-related occupations out there where people can earn a living without working in a traditional library setting.
Right now, I'm doing okay as a contract cataloger working for libraries that have projects but don't want to hire staff. Even though I don't get benefits like health insurance and vacation time, I have flexible hours and I really enjoy the variety of going to different places and using different software. If nothing else, it keeps my brain nimble and I get to meet lots of interesting people.
So I'm glad being a Librarian is now the "in" thing to do. If only we made more money, too!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Conflicts
I've been re-hired to teach LIS415 in the fall. I just signed the contract and it will be in tomorrow's mail. I'm psyched. I'm looking forward to implementing revisions and trying some new things (nothing too radical).
However, I also realize I've just committed every Saturday afternoon from September 10 through December 10 to Simmons College and Organization of Information and there are other things I also would like to do but teaching takes priority right now.
I read recently about a Leadership Institute offered by the Women's Fund of Western Mass. I went to the website and was just about ready to apply for 2011-2012 when I saw that the group meets Saturdays from 9:30 to 4:30. Too bad. It looks like a great opportunity and I'm at a point in my life where I think I could really benefit from participating in an institute like this.
Toward the end of September, Provincetown, Mass. hosts the annual Tennessee Williams Festival. I stumbled upon it a few years ago and loved the variety of plays, movies, and other events all focusing on Tennessee Williams. My partner and I returned two years ago and were treated once again to many creative events held throughout the town. I received an email not long ago encouraging me to buy tickets. The dates: September 22-25. We could attend the first 2 days, but I'd need to be back in western Mass. on the 24th.
And then there're the Friends of UMass/Amherst Library and I'm the President. The board only meets twice a year: a Saturday in the spring and a Sunday in the fall. I regretfully missed the spring meeting because I didn't want to skip teaching a class during my first semester. I was looking forward to the Sunday meeting in the fall - only to find out it's been switched to a Saturday to take advantage of some other campus events happening on Saturday. I haven't yet decided what to do. I could find a substitute instructor or I could record my lecture via Camtasia or similar software or I could miss the Friends board meeting once again.
What I really need is a TiVo for my life.
However, I also realize I've just committed every Saturday afternoon from September 10 through December 10 to Simmons College and Organization of Information and there are other things I also would like to do but teaching takes priority right now.
I read recently about a Leadership Institute offered by the Women's Fund of Western Mass. I went to the website and was just about ready to apply for 2011-2012 when I saw that the group meets Saturdays from 9:30 to 4:30. Too bad. It looks like a great opportunity and I'm at a point in my life where I think I could really benefit from participating in an institute like this.
Toward the end of September, Provincetown, Mass. hosts the annual Tennessee Williams Festival. I stumbled upon it a few years ago and loved the variety of plays, movies, and other events all focusing on Tennessee Williams. My partner and I returned two years ago and were treated once again to many creative events held throughout the town. I received an email not long ago encouraging me to buy tickets. The dates: September 22-25. We could attend the first 2 days, but I'd need to be back in western Mass. on the 24th.
And then there're the Friends of UMass/Amherst Library and I'm the President. The board only meets twice a year: a Saturday in the spring and a Sunday in the fall. I regretfully missed the spring meeting because I didn't want to skip teaching a class during my first semester. I was looking forward to the Sunday meeting in the fall - only to find out it's been switched to a Saturday to take advantage of some other campus events happening on Saturday. I haven't yet decided what to do. I could find a substitute instructor or I could record my lecture via Camtasia or similar software or I could miss the Friends board meeting once again.
What I really need is a TiVo for my life.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Evaluations
Recently, I received copies of the students' evaluations for LIS 415. Overall, they were pretty good and I'm glad. There were several good suggestions from students and I agree with them.
I'll probably be teaching the course in the fall and I plan to incorporate more in-class projects, to divide up the at-home assignments (make them shorter but more frequent), and spend more class time going over the assignments. Shorter lectures and more in-class discussion is also on the agenda.
Another goal is to spend more time in the first few classes explaining what is expected, when and why. Students want to know how to plan their time during the semester; that's a totally reasonable request.
A disappointment is that one person was not satisfied with the class. Obviously, I was not able to communicate as well as I would have liked with everyone. I wish he/she had let me know earlier in the semester and perhaps we could have resolved the issue(s). I know that when I was a student, every once in a while I would have a teacher with whom I had absolutely no rapport. I don't want that to happen with my students.
I hope that with less lecturing on my part and more in-class work and discussion, I can keep all channels of communication open and ensure a postitive learning experience for all students and a positive teaching experience for me.
I'll probably be teaching the course in the fall and I plan to incorporate more in-class projects, to divide up the at-home assignments (make them shorter but more frequent), and spend more class time going over the assignments. Shorter lectures and more in-class discussion is also on the agenda.
Another goal is to spend more time in the first few classes explaining what is expected, when and why. Students want to know how to plan their time during the semester; that's a totally reasonable request.
A disappointment is that one person was not satisfied with the class. Obviously, I was not able to communicate as well as I would have liked with everyone. I wish he/she had let me know earlier in the semester and perhaps we could have resolved the issue(s). I know that when I was a student, every once in a while I would have a teacher with whom I had absolutely no rapport. I don't want that to happen with my students.
I hope that with less lecturing on my part and more in-class work and discussion, I can keep all channels of communication open and ensure a postitive learning experience for all students and a positive teaching experience for me.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Another Job Application
MassCat is looking for a temporary, part-time cataloger. Guess what? That's just what I am/do.
Yesterday, I updated my resume, wrote a cover letter, decided the 3 people who could best attest to my skills in this capacity and put their names and contact information on a separate sheet of references. Then I emailed everything to the MassCat manager. Now I wait.
It shouldn't be too long since the ad said review of applications begins June 3. That's Friday.
As I approach my 1 year anniversary of being laid off (or being self-employed, depending how you look at it), I find myself beginning a period of reassessment. A year ago, I was seriously contemplating a new career. What I'm doing now is a career shift. Do I want to stay here? Do I want to put in the time and effort either to put my knowledge and skills toward something entirely different or to develop entirely new knowledge and skills?
On the last day of classes at Simmons west, one of my students was telling me she wasn't sure what she would do - or even be able to do - with this degree she had begun to pursue. She said she had just turned 60. This is the time many people begin contemplating retirement - not a career.
I've been working with a financial advisor looking at my various retirement funds and calculating the best use of them. As long as I am also able to produce income, I might as well. But it would be a relief knowing that if that next part-time temporary position does not come along, I'll still be able to eat.
Or, who knows, maybe I'll win the lottery!
The journey continues.
Yesterday, I updated my resume, wrote a cover letter, decided the 3 people who could best attest to my skills in this capacity and put their names and contact information on a separate sheet of references. Then I emailed everything to the MassCat manager. Now I wait.
It shouldn't be too long since the ad said review of applications begins June 3. That's Friday.
As I approach my 1 year anniversary of being laid off (or being self-employed, depending how you look at it), I find myself beginning a period of reassessment. A year ago, I was seriously contemplating a new career. What I'm doing now is a career shift. Do I want to stay here? Do I want to put in the time and effort either to put my knowledge and skills toward something entirely different or to develop entirely new knowledge and skills?
On the last day of classes at Simmons west, one of my students was telling me she wasn't sure what she would do - or even be able to do - with this degree she had begun to pursue. She said she had just turned 60. This is the time many people begin contemplating retirement - not a career.
I've been working with a financial advisor looking at my various retirement funds and calculating the best use of them. As long as I am also able to produce income, I might as well. But it would be a relief knowing that if that next part-time temporary position does not come along, I'll still be able to eat.
Or, who knows, maybe I'll win the lottery!
The journey continues.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Angst, Exhillaration, Relief
The semester has ended. Saturday was the last class for LIS415. I spent several hours on Sunday and most of Monday grading papers and calculating final grades. Those grades are now in the hands (or email boxes) of Simmons officials.
I remember back to January and how I felt just before the first class. I was terrified.
During the semester I had periodic attacks of panic interspersed with excitement and delight when something went well. I am so impressed with the students in my class. They are all so bright and know more than I do in some areas. Classes included a lot of exchange of information when one or more of them could fill in a gap based on their experiences. Half the class was in the Archives program - an area I know about only from a distance. Many of them had coding experience - mine is minimal. But I know cataloging rules, MARC format, name authority files, subject headings, how to deal with foreign languages and non-book material and what it was like in the card catalog days. And I had a lot of support from faculty on the GSLIS Boston campus and the administration on the GSLIS Mt. Holyoke campus. Thanks, everyone for helping me through my first semester.
I'm already thinking of things I want to include in the fall. I expect I'll be teaching again although that's not yet official.
Today I'm off to work at DGI gathering more anecdotes to relate to future classes.
I remember back to January and how I felt just before the first class. I was terrified.
During the semester I had periodic attacks of panic interspersed with excitement and delight when something went well. I am so impressed with the students in my class. They are all so bright and know more than I do in some areas. Classes included a lot of exchange of information when one or more of them could fill in a gap based on their experiences. Half the class was in the Archives program - an area I know about only from a distance. Many of them had coding experience - mine is minimal. But I know cataloging rules, MARC format, name authority files, subject headings, how to deal with foreign languages and non-book material and what it was like in the card catalog days. And I had a lot of support from faculty on the GSLIS Boston campus and the administration on the GSLIS Mt. Holyoke campus. Thanks, everyone for helping me through my first semester.
I'm already thinking of things I want to include in the fall. I expect I'll be teaching again although that's not yet official.
Today I'm off to work at DGI gathering more anecdotes to relate to future classes.
Friday, April 22, 2011
A Day Off!
Actually, for the last few weeks, I've been able to plan my week so that I get one weekday off - usually a Friday so that I can prep for LIS415. This morning, I graded papers from 6-9 a.m. Then I reviewed the PowerPoint presentation that I'll be using, made some adjustments, and uploaded it to the eLearning site that the students use.
I'm now taking a break from reviewing the last assignment that they'll be given and will have to turn back to me in two weeks.
So just as I'm adapting to this schedule, it's about to change. The project I've been working on at Springfield City Library is just about complete. I'll be going back maybe one or two more times, but not for a few weeks. We all thought it would take me a lot longer. Guess I should have charged them more money. And the last day of LIS415 is May 7.
What will happen next? Will there be more projects? Will I be able to re-open my Unemployment claim and continue collecting?
Stay tuned.
I'm now taking a break from reviewing the last assignment that they'll be given and will have to turn back to me in two weeks.
So just as I'm adapting to this schedule, it's about to change. The project I've been working on at Springfield City Library is just about complete. I'll be going back maybe one or two more times, but not for a few weeks. We all thought it would take me a lot longer. Guess I should have charged them more money. And the last day of LIS415 is May 7.
What will happen next? Will there be more projects? Will I be able to re-open my Unemployment claim and continue collecting?
Stay tuned.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Three More Weeks - But Who's Counting?
It's been a wonderful experience teaching LIS415, and I sincerely hope I do it again in the fall. But right now I'm looking forward to getting my life back, to having my weekends free, and to listening to the opera on Saturday afternoons. There are so many things I plan to do with all the extra time I'll have, I'm tired just thinking about them!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Be Careful What You Wish For
A couple of years ago while I was still employed at CMRLS, I was going through an annual review with my supervisor. We were discussing the typical kind of things: What had I accomplished? What goals was I not able to complete and why? What did I plan to do during the next fiscal year? Another question asked: What did I like least about my job? My answer? I wish I had a chance to do more cataloging. I missed it. When I was hired by CMRLS, the organization was specifically looking for a cataloger. There were a few different collections of books that were loaned to member libraries, but a couple of years after I started, it was decided to focus the limited resources on services rather than books. The professional collection, the books on all aspects of Library Science, remained, but cataloging them amounted to a few hours every month or so. Now, with my various jobs, I catalog all day, every day. I use a variety of Integrated Library Systems, but I look at bibliographic records and MARC codes all the time. At Springfield City Library I catalog games, toys and puzzles for the Early Childhood Resource Collection. I catalog DVDs and CDs for the main library and its branches. Through Donohue Group, Inc., I'm working on a major retrospective conversion project for the Boston Public Library using their old catalog cards, as well as a small private collection of books focusing on philosphy, spirituality, literature, and related topics. I also spend a day or so each month at a small engineering college. And then there's LIS 415. While I'm not actually cataloging, I'm spending much time thinking and talking about cataloging and all of its various components. I should be happy, right? Isn't this what I wanted? Like the various and sundry jokes that use "Be careful what you wish for" as the punchline, I should have been more specific. Instead of old catalog cards, instead of books on archane and esoteric topics, instead of unfamiliar foreign languages, instead of DVDs and other media that are difficult (at best) to figure out, I had envisioned pretty, new, simple, current, easy materials. I had been away from cataloging just long enough that I was remembering only the ideal and not the reality. Another wish I have is to remain mentally alert for many, many years. With all of the intellectual exercise I get cataloging various and sundry items, I doubt I'll have to worry about loss of mental acuity for a long time. So I guess I'll stop complaining and appreciate the positive aspects of obscure foreign languages.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Juxtaposition
When I was an undergraduate at UMass/Amherst, I wanted to take the class "History of Film", but it was always overenrolled. Who wouldn't want to sit around watching movies all the time? I did, however, manage to slip into a lecture where I learned about "Juxtsposition" which has become one of my favorite words. Last night, I saw the movie Even the Rain. It's about a independent film company making a film about Christopher Columbus and the Spanish exploitation of the native people in the new world. The Spanish insist that all individuals pay them a certain amount of gold on a regular basis or suffer serious consequences. The filming takes place in Cochabamba, Bolivia where a multinational corporation owns all rights to the water, even the rain. The story of native defiance to the invading Spaniards coincides with the real life protests of indigenous Bolivians to the severe taxation of their use of water. Even the Rain is a gripping story at both levels. I have seen this technique in other movies. In The French Lieutenant's Woman, the actor's personal lives parallell those of the characters. In Carmen, the cast of an opera company experience the same intrigue as the people they portray. Neither, however, equals Even the Rain which also includes a look at the recent political situation and current living conditions in parts of Bolivia. Juxtaposed with this social commentary is the book I'm now reading: One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell (author of Sex and the City). This is the story of a group of wealthy people who all live in the same elite building in NYC. The old money, society people have strict, if unspoken, rules of proper behavior and are dismayed by the antics of the much wealthier, new money people who have recently moved into the building. To read about these self-indulgent individuals after watching the poverty in Bolivia is almost more than I can process. And juxtaposed with the situations above is my life which is so different from both. I don't have a 3-story penthouse appartment with live-in help and a Bentley at my beck and call, but I do have plenty of water - hot if I want it. While I don't make as much money as I used to, I do make much more than $2/day and live in a pretty nice house. I guess I should feel angry and outraged about the inequity, but I feel more confused. How and why do such things happen? I am so totally grateful for what I have and feel quite helpless to have a positive impact on those who have so much less. I know that there are very wealthy people who are using their money to make improvements to the world. Juxtaposed to them, unfortunately, are those who make millions and feel they still don't have enough.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
My Life on I-91
For the first dozen years of my professional life I worked at UMass/Amherst. Most of that time I lived in Northampton and the focus of my commuting attention was crossing the Connecticut River on the Calvin Coolidge Bridge. It was crowded even then. Fortunately, I was on a bus.
Then came a 5 year stint with Harper & Row Publishers. UMass/Amherst was my largest account and I continued to spend much time getting myself and my paperwork to the other side of the river via the Coolidge Bridge, this time in a car. UMass/Amherst was my largest account, but by no means my only account. There are lots of colleges in the Springfield area and even more in Vermont. Thus began my relationship with I-91.
In 1985, I was hired by WMRLS which was located in Hatfield at the time. Shortly after, I moved to Greenfield. For the next 13 years I spent lots of time on I-91 heading south every morning and north every evening.
When I left WMRLS, my first project as a consultant was as interim director of the Greenfield Public Library. However, I had just moved to Hatfield so I still spent much time on I-91, this time heading north every morning and south every evening.
Enter Donohue Group Inc. (DGI) which was then located in Weathersfield CT. Again it was south in the morning, but with a very different crowd of people. South of Holyoke, traffic on the highway becomes more dense and very fast and there's usually a major backup as everyone tries to negotiate around Hartford andI-84.
So I was very happy to join the CMRLS team. Even though the commute was longer by about 20 minutes and 20 miles, the drive itself was easier. I'd head south on I-91, but before things got too intense, I'd turn east onto the Mass Pike. And before things got too intense there, I'd exit. Piece of cake!
Now that I'm working independently, I have several different projects, but right now they all involve traveling on I-91. The biggest problem is remembering where I'm going on any particular day.
Last week, my schedule looked like this:
Monday and Tuesday: Springfield City Library - get off at I-291.
Wednesday and Thursday: DGI (in Windsor, Conn.) - don't get off till after I'm in Conn. (I have a few different exit options)
Friday: DGI project in Cambridge; meet colleagues at Sturbridge Park & Ride - get off at the Mass Pike.
Every morning as I enter I-91, I have to remind myself where I'm going. As I approach all of the different possible exits, I have to concentrate on staying on or getting off whichever I'm supposed to do that day. So far, I've only messed up once and it wasn't too bad. I had very carefully maneuvered myself into the left lane as I approached I-291 only to realize it was an SCL day and I was to get off there! I took the next exit and got back on course.
If only the rest of life was so easy to correct.
Then came a 5 year stint with Harper & Row Publishers. UMass/Amherst was my largest account and I continued to spend much time getting myself and my paperwork to the other side of the river via the Coolidge Bridge, this time in a car. UMass/Amherst was my largest account, but by no means my only account. There are lots of colleges in the Springfield area and even more in Vermont. Thus began my relationship with I-91.
In 1985, I was hired by WMRLS which was located in Hatfield at the time. Shortly after, I moved to Greenfield. For the next 13 years I spent lots of time on I-91 heading south every morning and north every evening.
When I left WMRLS, my first project as a consultant was as interim director of the Greenfield Public Library. However, I had just moved to Hatfield so I still spent much time on I-91, this time heading north every morning and south every evening.
Enter Donohue Group Inc. (DGI) which was then located in Weathersfield CT. Again it was south in the morning, but with a very different crowd of people. South of Holyoke, traffic on the highway becomes more dense and very fast and there's usually a major backup as everyone tries to negotiate around Hartford andI-84.
So I was very happy to join the CMRLS team. Even though the commute was longer by about 20 minutes and 20 miles, the drive itself was easier. I'd head south on I-91, but before things got too intense, I'd turn east onto the Mass Pike. And before things got too intense there, I'd exit. Piece of cake!
Now that I'm working independently, I have several different projects, but right now they all involve traveling on I-91. The biggest problem is remembering where I'm going on any particular day.
Last week, my schedule looked like this:
Monday and Tuesday: Springfield City Library - get off at I-291.
Wednesday and Thursday: DGI (in Windsor, Conn.) - don't get off till after I'm in Conn. (I have a few different exit options)
Friday: DGI project in Cambridge; meet colleagues at Sturbridge Park & Ride - get off at the Mass Pike.
Every morning as I enter I-91, I have to remind myself where I'm going. As I approach all of the different possible exits, I have to concentrate on staying on or getting off whichever I'm supposed to do that day. So far, I've only messed up once and it wasn't too bad. I had very carefully maneuvered myself into the left lane as I approached I-291 only to realize it was an SCL day and I was to get off there! I took the next exit and got back on course.
If only the rest of life was so easy to correct.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
What Do You Call a Group of Catalogers?
There's a bevy of beauties and a gaggle of geese. I vote for a cluster of catalogers.
One of the best things about working at DGI (which I did 3 days last week) is that I'm surrounded by catalogers who speak AACR2 and MARC. If I have a question, all I have to do is say loudly enough for several people to hear "How do I do ...?" and someone is bound to know the answer. Sometimes there's some discussion as we debate the best approach, but we are all so familiar with the subject matter we can figure it out pretty quickly.
I like the structure of going into an office. When I'm there, there are no distractions like dirty laundry or dust bunnies. The commute to Windsor, CT is not bad. I do have to pass by Springfield which I don't especially enjoy, but that's not a long distance. Connecticut drivers are fast and fairly aggressive, but then I get off the highway and have a few miles to drive at a steady speed down a lovely road with no traffic lights or stop signs before I arrive at the office. The entire trip takes less than an hour.
Unfortunately, now that I'm commuting again, the gasoline prices have jumped. As Rosanne Rosannadanna would say: "It just goes to show ya, it's always something."
One of the best things about working at DGI (which I did 3 days last week) is that I'm surrounded by catalogers who speak AACR2 and MARC. If I have a question, all I have to do is say loudly enough for several people to hear "How do I do ...?" and someone is bound to know the answer. Sometimes there's some discussion as we debate the best approach, but we are all so familiar with the subject matter we can figure it out pretty quickly.
I like the structure of going into an office. When I'm there, there are no distractions like dirty laundry or dust bunnies. The commute to Windsor, CT is not bad. I do have to pass by Springfield which I don't especially enjoy, but that's not a long distance. Connecticut drivers are fast and fairly aggressive, but then I get off the highway and have a few miles to drive at a steady speed down a lovely road with no traffic lights or stop signs before I arrive at the office. The entire trip takes less than an hour.
Unfortunately, now that I'm commuting again, the gasoline prices have jumped. As Rosanne Rosannadanna would say: "It just goes to show ya, it's always something."
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
8 Days a Week
My work life lately feels like the title to a Beatles' song. I suppose I should be grateful - and I am. It's nice to know that my skills are valued and that people want me working on their various projects. And that I'm earning enough money to pay the bills.
Yesterday I traveled to Middleborough (nearly to Cape Cod) to teach a Continuing Ed. workshop on MARC records for the Mass. Library System (MLS). Fifteen women attended and there was a real range of experience. Some were brand new, but most had been doing their jobs for a while and wanted to make sure they were doing the right things. Many had learned "on the job" and wanted the "official" take on what they do. Others had Masters' degrees in Library Science and wanted a review. There was lots of good discussion and the attendees seemed very pleased. I know I was.
Later that evening I spent a few hours grading papers for LIS415. I'm so glad this is spring break and I don't have to teach on Saturday. I need the breather.
Today, I'm off to Springfield City Library to catalog more games, puzzles and toys for the Early Childhood Resource Collection (ECRC). I'll be working on the item records and attaching the descriptions I created to digital images.
Then I'll spend the rest of the week at the DGI offices in Windsor, CT converting cataloging information for the Boston Public Library from cards to electronic records.
As far as I know, I'll be busy like this till June 30 when the grant money expires for the ECRC and BPL projects. We'll see what happens after that.
Yesterday I traveled to Middleborough (nearly to Cape Cod) to teach a Continuing Ed. workshop on MARC records for the Mass. Library System (MLS). Fifteen women attended and there was a real range of experience. Some were brand new, but most had been doing their jobs for a while and wanted to make sure they were doing the right things. Many had learned "on the job" and wanted the "official" take on what they do. Others had Masters' degrees in Library Science and wanted a review. There was lots of good discussion and the attendees seemed very pleased. I know I was.
Later that evening I spent a few hours grading papers for LIS415. I'm so glad this is spring break and I don't have to teach on Saturday. I need the breather.
Today, I'm off to Springfield City Library to catalog more games, puzzles and toys for the Early Childhood Resource Collection (ECRC). I'll be working on the item records and attaching the descriptions I created to digital images.
Then I'll spend the rest of the week at the DGI offices in Windsor, CT converting cataloging information for the Boston Public Library from cards to electronic records.
As far as I know, I'll be busy like this till June 30 when the grant money expires for the ECRC and BPL projects. We'll see what happens after that.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Too Much Money
I don't have too much money and probably never will, but last week I earned too much money to file an unemployment claim. I guess that's good, although it wasn't quite as much as I would have earned in a week at CMRLS. However, it's nice to know that my services are in such demand and this situation will likely continue through June 30 which is when the money runs out for my 2 latest projects.
In the meantime, I'm actually struggling to keep up with the work. I have some Continuing Education workshops to teach in March in addition to all of the other stuff. Also during March, I'll be filling in for the cataloger at Springfield City Library who will be taking some vacation time. Fortunately, spring break is in March so I'll have a little breather from teaching (and the most time consuming activity, preparing to teach) LIS415 at Simmons-west.
The victim of all this activity is my once-clean house which is showing signs of neglect. Dust anyone? I'm able to squeeze in the most essential tasks, the most visible ones, the ones that drive me so nuts I can't concentrate on anything else until I take care of them.
Overall, I'm very happy. I love the activity, going to different places every day, having to adapt to a different working environment and different colleagues every day, stimulating my brain and learning so much more about what I've been doing for years. It's vital that I stay organized, keep my appointment book up-to-date, and refer to it (and the weeks ahead) regularly.
It's even more important that I take a little time every day (generally first thing in the morning) to do some Yoga or other exercise. I noticed this morning that my mind was especially active and kept thinking about all of the things I needed to attend to today and tomorrow. I find posting to this blog helps some of that frantic energy dissipate and I'm better able to concentrate on what I'm doing and think less about all of the other things that need to be done, too.
When I began this blog back in July 2010, I seriously thought I might be headed for a career change. If that happens, it won't be anytime soon. My cataloging skills are needed and for right now, that's fine with me.
In the meantime, I'm actually struggling to keep up with the work. I have some Continuing Education workshops to teach in March in addition to all of the other stuff. Also during March, I'll be filling in for the cataloger at Springfield City Library who will be taking some vacation time. Fortunately, spring break is in March so I'll have a little breather from teaching (and the most time consuming activity, preparing to teach) LIS415 at Simmons-west.
The victim of all this activity is my once-clean house which is showing signs of neglect. Dust anyone? I'm able to squeeze in the most essential tasks, the most visible ones, the ones that drive me so nuts I can't concentrate on anything else until I take care of them.
Overall, I'm very happy. I love the activity, going to different places every day, having to adapt to a different working environment and different colleagues every day, stimulating my brain and learning so much more about what I've been doing for years. It's vital that I stay organized, keep my appointment book up-to-date, and refer to it (and the weeks ahead) regularly.
It's even more important that I take a little time every day (generally first thing in the morning) to do some Yoga or other exercise. I noticed this morning that my mind was especially active and kept thinking about all of the things I needed to attend to today and tomorrow. I find posting to this blog helps some of that frantic energy dissipate and I'm better able to concentrate on what I'm doing and think less about all of the other things that need to be done, too.
When I began this blog back in July 2010, I seriously thought I might be headed for a career change. If that happens, it won't be anytime soon. My cataloging skills are needed and for right now, that's fine with me.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
A New Project
Actually, there are two new projects both starting this week.
Yesterday, I began cataloging the collection for the Early Childhood Resource Center at Springfield City Library. It's mostly games, puzzles, toys and puppets and a surprizing (at least to me) number of them have bibliographic records in the OCLC database. In many other cases, I found similar records so that I could create what I needed fairly easily. Once these records are loaded into Springfield's catalog (an overnight process), I'll need to add holdings information and link the bib. record to a digital image of the item.
I agreed to working on this ECRC project every Monday, except for state holidays. I think that schedule will keep me from becoming overbooked. Once the semester ends at Simmons-west (early May), I can put more time into cataloging games, puzzles, toys and puppets. Funds have to be expended by June 30 (the end of the fiscal year).
The other project begins tomorrow at Donohue Group, Inc. Several of us will be working on retrospective conversion of Boston Public Library's older materials. We'll be working from catalog cards that have been shipped to the DGI office in Windsor CT. I agreed to 2 days a week back before I learned about the ECRC project.
I've been going to bed pretty early every evening and getting lots of bedtime reading done. I may be staying up later at night reading about Organization of Information and grading papers. I'm already looking forward to spring break! I won't be going to Ft. Lauderdale or anything like that. I'll just be enjoying a short respite, probably my last till early May.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Consumed
LIS415 is consuming every waking minute. All I do is think about Organization of Information. I read the textbook, read the handouts for the students, read additional articles, read the students' essays on the discussion board, read the information graciously given to me by a seasoned teacher of the course and keep remembering that it will all be easier next time.
Sometimes I feel so frantic I don't want to take time to practice Yoga. But I also know that's when I need Yoga the most to help me center myself and realize all I'm capable of.
I'm learning so much. As a practitioner, I've always tried to keep up with the issues, but didn't really have to think much about the "big picture." I've always admired the visionary thinkers and wondered how they imagined the new and innovative uses of library metadata, etc. Right now I'm too overwhelmed keeping up with course work to think up anything new and innovative, but I can see how the research environment is conducive to ideas far beyond what I'm used to.
It almost seems like a vacation when I get to spend some time on cataloging projects - which I'm also doing a day or so every week. I also have some CE workshops coming up. What a joy: to present material I know so well and not to have to worry about the session next week because Continuing Education is only one-session and there are no assignments to grade.
My initial unemployment claim should be coming to an end soon. Since I've been working so much, I generally don't withdraw the full weekly amount. That makes it last longer. I believe I'm eligible for an extension. We'll see.
Otherwise, I'm really looking forward to the end of the semester and taking lots of nice long breaths.
Sometimes I feel so frantic I don't want to take time to practice Yoga. But I also know that's when I need Yoga the most to help me center myself and realize all I'm capable of.
I'm learning so much. As a practitioner, I've always tried to keep up with the issues, but didn't really have to think much about the "big picture." I've always admired the visionary thinkers and wondered how they imagined the new and innovative uses of library metadata, etc. Right now I'm too overwhelmed keeping up with course work to think up anything new and innovative, but I can see how the research environment is conducive to ideas far beyond what I'm used to.
It almost seems like a vacation when I get to spend some time on cataloging projects - which I'm also doing a day or so every week. I also have some CE workshops coming up. What a joy: to present material I know so well and not to have to worry about the session next week because Continuing Education is only one-session and there are no assignments to grade.
My initial unemployment claim should be coming to an end soon. Since I've been working so much, I generally don't withdraw the full weekly amount. That makes it last longer. I believe I'm eligible for an extension. We'll see.
Otherwise, I'm really looking forward to the end of the semester and taking lots of nice long breaths.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Getting Beyond Hurdles
I've been very anxious for the last month.
We bought a new computer and, by default, I'm the tech person in my household. I put off setting it up as long as I could because I just couldn't face something going wrong. It's finally set up along with the new printer and most everything is working okay. The computer came with Windows 7 so we're learning the ins and outs of a new operating system.
And there was the LIS415 Organization of Information, the course I agreed to teach at Simmons-West. As I've stated in earlier posts, this is a new level of teaching for me: Graduate students, an entire semester, having to give tests and grading them. It is all very different from a single 3-hour Continuing Education program. I actually began to visualize having a complete meltdown in the class. Fortunately, I was able to banish the ANTs, and remind myself that I'm an experienced teacher, that I have many years as a cataloger, and that I'm an accomplished professional. While this class is new and different, it's definitely within my range of competencies. My first class was last Saturday, January 29 and it went well. The students are intelligent, curious, and totally open to participating in and out of class. I also have a lot of support from other faculty and tech staff.
Part of what was worrying me about LIS415 was learning how to use Simmons eLearning product. All course information is available to the students via eLearning and there's a lot to it including my learning how to add items, edit items, monitor discussion lists, send emails to my entire group of students. Now that my anxiety level has lessened, I've been able to explore eLearning more calmly and I've done several things with it, including sending an email to the whole class.
I still have the rest of the semester ahead of me, but the hurdles look much lower from here. I'm look forward to fewer sleepless nights.
We bought a new computer and, by default, I'm the tech person in my household. I put off setting it up as long as I could because I just couldn't face something going wrong. It's finally set up along with the new printer and most everything is working okay. The computer came with Windows 7 so we're learning the ins and outs of a new operating system.
And there was the LIS415 Organization of Information, the course I agreed to teach at Simmons-West. As I've stated in earlier posts, this is a new level of teaching for me: Graduate students, an entire semester, having to give tests and grading them. It is all very different from a single 3-hour Continuing Education program. I actually began to visualize having a complete meltdown in the class. Fortunately, I was able to banish the ANTs, and remind myself that I'm an experienced teacher, that I have many years as a cataloger, and that I'm an accomplished professional. While this class is new and different, it's definitely within my range of competencies. My first class was last Saturday, January 29 and it went well. The students are intelligent, curious, and totally open to participating in and out of class. I also have a lot of support from other faculty and tech staff.
Part of what was worrying me about LIS415 was learning how to use Simmons eLearning product. All course information is available to the students via eLearning and there's a lot to it including my learning how to add items, edit items, monitor discussion lists, send emails to my entire group of students. Now that my anxiety level has lessened, I've been able to explore eLearning more calmly and I've done several things with it, including sending an email to the whole class.
I still have the rest of the semester ahead of me, but the hurdles look much lower from here. I'm look forward to fewer sleepless nights.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Perpetual Beta, or, Waiting for the Plateau
In the computer world there is the phrase "Perpetual Beta." It means something that's never quite finished, always changing, that can still be improved.
Back when I was much younger, my goal was to graduate from college, get a good job, and live happily ever after. During my undergrad years, I began working at the Goodell Library at UMass/Amherst, decided I liked the work and added getting a Masters in Library Science to my goal. Since I was going to school part time, it took many years to complete the goal.
Soon after beginning my professional career, I realized that finishing my MSLS and getting a job as a librarian was only the beginning, not the end. Somehow, though, I kept waiting for that plateau where I'd achieve what I wanted and live happily ever after. I thought I'd found it many times at different jobs, but after a few years I'd become restless in that position and move on to something else. When I began work at CMRLS, I figured I had a good job (regardless of the long daily commute) and would stay there until retirement which wasn't all that many years away.
Surpri-ise! Even though I was still happy with the job, the Universe decided I was ready for a change and here I am becoming an Independent Consultant. I'm finally becoming comfortable with that status and thinking about ways I can market myself and my skills. I have a couple of new projects starting soon that will likely continue for a while and a few others in the works.
Still, after all these years, way down deep, I can't quite rid myself of the feeling that there is a plateau not too far away even though intellectually I know that life is Perpetual Beta.
Back when I was much younger, my goal was to graduate from college, get a good job, and live happily ever after. During my undergrad years, I began working at the Goodell Library at UMass/Amherst, decided I liked the work and added getting a Masters in Library Science to my goal. Since I was going to school part time, it took many years to complete the goal.
Soon after beginning my professional career, I realized that finishing my MSLS and getting a job as a librarian was only the beginning, not the end. Somehow, though, I kept waiting for that plateau where I'd achieve what I wanted and live happily ever after. I thought I'd found it many times at different jobs, but after a few years I'd become restless in that position and move on to something else. When I began work at CMRLS, I figured I had a good job (regardless of the long daily commute) and would stay there until retirement which wasn't all that many years away.
Surpri-ise! Even though I was still happy with the job, the Universe decided I was ready for a change and here I am becoming an Independent Consultant. I'm finally becoming comfortable with that status and thinking about ways I can market myself and my skills. I have a couple of new projects starting soon that will likely continue for a while and a few others in the works.
Still, after all these years, way down deep, I can't quite rid myself of the feeling that there is a plateau not too far away even though intellectually I know that life is Perpetual Beta.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Problem Solved - Again
For the moment I'm in good standing with the Unemployment Office.
Even though I tried calling the 800 number 3 times yesterday, I never got through to a person. I arrived at the Career Center a little after 8 a.m. this morning and I was #26 in line. We weren't allowed into the building until about 8:15, but I (and everyone else) was bundled up. At about 11:00 I was led into the cubby of the representative who looked at my information on the computer screen, made a change to one piece of data, and fixed the problem. It took less than 5 minutes.
Instead of a thriller from the local public library, I had brought along the textbook that I'll be using for LIS415, so I got a lot of necessary reading done.
What relief. I expect I'll have a better night's sleep tonight than I've had for the last couple of days. I don't know why I worry about this stuff so much and no amount of deep breathing seems to help. Perhaps I should be thankful to the Unemployment Office for providing me with blog material.
Even though I tried calling the 800 number 3 times yesterday, I never got through to a person. I arrived at the Career Center a little after 8 a.m. this morning and I was #26 in line. We weren't allowed into the building until about 8:15, but I (and everyone else) was bundled up. At about 11:00 I was led into the cubby of the representative who looked at my information on the computer screen, made a change to one piece of data, and fixed the problem. It took less than 5 minutes.
Instead of a thriller from the local public library, I had brought along the textbook that I'll be using for LIS415, so I got a lot of necessary reading done.
What relief. I expect I'll have a better night's sleep tonight than I've had for the last couple of days. I don't know why I worry about this stuff so much and no amount of deep breathing seems to help. Perhaps I should be thankful to the Unemployment Office for providing me with blog material.
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Saga Continues
I arrived at the Career Center a little after 8 this morning to learn that there is no Unemployment Representative on January 3 (today). I'll try calling later today. I understand it is easier to get through if one calls after 5 p.m. Many people assume (I would have if I didn't know otherwise) that the telephone service ends at 5 but it continues until 6:30 - at least during this time of heavy use.
So it's back into my play clothes to prepare for Wednesday evening's Library Trustee meeting, a consulting job I have this week, LIS415, and to follow up on some other stuff. I may also have a chance to read my current book.
Watch for the next installment of this adventure.
So it's back into my play clothes to prepare for Wednesday evening's Library Trustee meeting, a consulting job I have this week, LIS415, and to follow up on some other stuff. I may also have a chance to read my current book.
Watch for the next installment of this adventure.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Oh, No! Not Again!
I logged onto the Mass. Department of Workforce Development - Division of Unemployment Assistance earlier today to file my weekly claim. I answered all the required questions and upon submitting my claim, a Red Message said "Call the Telephone Claims Center. Additional information is required to determine your eligibility for benefits." I thought this was all straightened out.
So I guess tomorrow I'll be back at the Hampshire/Franklin Career 
Center talking to a representative trying to find out what's wrong. The upside to all if this is that I'm in the middle of a really engrossing book called Die For You by Lisa Unger. I get a lot of reading done at the Career Center. I wonder how early I should show up?
Center talking to a representative trying to find out what's wrong. The upside to all if this is that I'm in the middle of a really engrossing book called Die For You by Lisa Unger. I get a lot of reading done at the Career Center. I wonder how early I should show up?
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