Last Saturday was my last lecture of the semester in Info Org. There are still 2 classes to go, but for those 2 classes the students, not I, will be giving oral presentations. I get to sit back, listen to them, and take notes.
Today is Thursday. For the last few months Thursdays have been devoted to preparing for Saturday's class. I've already revised the sheet I use for evaluating the presentations and now I just want to relax and do all of the things I don't get to do enough of during the semester - like reading and listening to music.
There are a lot of other things I don't get to do enough of during the semester like housecleaning. Even in my "It Feels Like I'm on Vacation" mode, I'm still trying to be productive (plus I can still listen to music). I ran the dishwasher, emptied the garbage into the compost pile, and did a load of laundry. I'm trying to work up some enthusiasm for vacuuming and dusting the master bath and bedroom. On this sunny day it's obvious that those are tasks that should have been done a long time ago.
But I'll have the next several Thursdays without class prep to vacuum and dust, so maybe today I'll just enjoy the vacation.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
An Unexpected Consequence
A couple of weeks ago, I gave my LIS415 students a homework assignment that involved searching the Library of Congress catalog. The completed assignment was due the following week. A couple of days later, I began receiving frantic emails from students that they could not get into the catalog. The government had shut down and so had the Library of Congress!
I gave the students an alternate site to search. I wanted them to look at MARC bibliographic records and they could do that at almost any library's catalog, but I also want them to use as many different catalogs as possible to see the differences among them.
Then I began to worry about an upcoming workshop that I'll be giving for the Massachusetts Library System on free sites for Technical Services Librarians. Of course, many of the sites I want to talk about involve the Library of Congress as there is a wealth of information for catalogers there. I began to wonder how much would be available and whether or not it was worth even giving this workshop.
Lo and Behold! Today, as I began reviewing my material for the workshop, I discovered that LC's catalog is up and running! And so is their Authority File site. That won't mean much, if anything, to a non-cataloger, but let me tell you it is a site I use ALL THE TIME when I'm working.
Is the government no longer shut down? I know there have been negotiations going on, but I haven't listened to the news today.
Whatever happened, I'm glad I can get to the sites I need. I just hope it's not some sort of mistake. I hope the sites stay up. Next Saturday I'll be covering authorized forms of names with the students in LIS415 and I'll need LC's Authority File.
I gave the students an alternate site to search. I wanted them to look at MARC bibliographic records and they could do that at almost any library's catalog, but I also want them to use as many different catalogs as possible to see the differences among them.
Then I began to worry about an upcoming workshop that I'll be giving for the Massachusetts Library System on free sites for Technical Services Librarians. Of course, many of the sites I want to talk about involve the Library of Congress as there is a wealth of information for catalogers there. I began to wonder how much would be available and whether or not it was worth even giving this workshop.
Lo and Behold! Today, as I began reviewing my material for the workshop, I discovered that LC's catalog is up and running! And so is their Authority File site. That won't mean much, if anything, to a non-cataloger, but let me tell you it is a site I use ALL THE TIME when I'm working.
Is the government no longer shut down? I know there have been negotiations going on, but I haven't listened to the news today.
Whatever happened, I'm glad I can get to the sites I need. I just hope it's not some sort of mistake. I hope the sites stay up. Next Saturday I'll be covering authorized forms of names with the students in LIS415 and I'll need LC's Authority File.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
The new school year
I have a great class this semester. It is the largest one I've ever had, but that's not what's great about it.
The students are bright, vocal, observant, and ask thoughtful questions. I would call them "engaged" except that is becoming an overused and trite word and I try to avoid such words.
Another factor making this a great semester is that I'm feeling much more confident and comfortable with the material. Even though I've used the information I'm teaching for many years, I just went about my work; I didn't think about it in this way until I began teaching LIS415.
Now as I listen to the radio, read a book, and - yes - even catalog, I'm constantly encountering different examples that are "just perfect" to include in an upcoming class.
Teaching a graduate level course was a whole new experience for me. The road was occasionally bumpy, but it's smooth for now and (to use another trite phrase) I'm enjoying the fruits of my labor.
The students are bright, vocal, observant, and ask thoughtful questions. I would call them "engaged" except that is becoming an overused and trite word and I try to avoid such words.
Another factor making this a great semester is that I'm feeling much more confident and comfortable with the material. Even though I've used the information I'm teaching for many years, I just went about my work; I didn't think about it in this way until I began teaching LIS415.
Now as I listen to the radio, read a book, and - yes - even catalog, I'm constantly encountering different examples that are "just perfect" to include in an upcoming class.
Teaching a graduate level course was a whole new experience for me. The road was occasionally bumpy, but it's smooth for now and (to use another trite phrase) I'm enjoying the fruits of my labor.
Monday, September 2, 2013
A New Phase
It's been a very busy summer, proven by the fact I haven't posted for 2 months. Today is September 2, the Labor Day holiday and I'm preparing for class on Saturday.
As of last week, I've "retired" from 2 of my part-time jobs. Now that school is back in session and I'm working more hours at MassCat as well as leading the senior exercise class 3 times each week (up from 2), I no longer have the time to work at Springfield City Library or Donohue Group. I'll miss the camaraderie at those places, but I'll savor the shorter commutes. I'll still be presenting the occasional continuing education workshop just in case I get the urge to do some traveling.
Another reason I'm able to work less is that I'm now old enough to collect Social Security payments with no deduction for other earned income. Of course I have mixed feelings about this. I love what feels like "free" money, but isn't Social Security for old people? Fortunately, I'm healthy and active enough to enjoy the new bounty.
A good reason to continue those exercise classes.
As of last week, I've "retired" from 2 of my part-time jobs. Now that school is back in session and I'm working more hours at MassCat as well as leading the senior exercise class 3 times each week (up from 2), I no longer have the time to work at Springfield City Library or Donohue Group. I'll miss the camaraderie at those places, but I'll savor the shorter commutes. I'll still be presenting the occasional continuing education workshop just in case I get the urge to do some traveling.
Another reason I'm able to work less is that I'm now old enough to collect Social Security payments with no deduction for other earned income. Of course I have mixed feelings about this. I love what feels like "free" money, but isn't Social Security for old people? Fortunately, I'm healthy and active enough to enjoy the new bounty.
A good reason to continue those exercise classes.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Looking Back, Looking Forward
Tomorrow is July 1 - the new fiscal year.
On June 30, three years ago, I was laid off from my job at CMRLS. It was sad and scary, but I tried to look at the situation not as an end, but as a beginning. I've been a librarian my entire adult life. My first full time job was as a library assistant. I was 20 years old.
While I've made some attempts at career changes (traveling sales representative for a publishing company; fitness instructor; administrative assistant for a small consulting firm), all three times I ended up back in the library field. Since I had (and still have) a few productive years left, I figured the layoff would be a good opportunity to finally make that leap.
Fast forward to today. The career change has not happened; I'm still a librarian, and a happy one at that. While it would be nice to have the security of one full-time job with benefits, I can't complain. I have several jobs that I like. My hours are flexible; I can often work at home, although I usually work on site; there's lots of variety even though the jobs are strongly related; I'm learning a lot and meeting some really interesting people.
I am looking forward to looking back on this post on June 30, 2014 to see what has or has not changed. Stay tuned.
On June 30, three years ago, I was laid off from my job at CMRLS. It was sad and scary, but I tried to look at the situation not as an end, but as a beginning. I've been a librarian my entire adult life. My first full time job was as a library assistant. I was 20 years old.
While I've made some attempts at career changes (traveling sales representative for a publishing company; fitness instructor; administrative assistant for a small consulting firm), all three times I ended up back in the library field. Since I had (and still have) a few productive years left, I figured the layoff would be a good opportunity to finally make that leap.
Fast forward to today. The career change has not happened; I'm still a librarian, and a happy one at that. While it would be nice to have the security of one full-time job with benefits, I can't complain. I have several jobs that I like. My hours are flexible; I can often work at home, although I usually work on site; there's lots of variety even though the jobs are strongly related; I'm learning a lot and meeting some really interesting people.
I am looking forward to looking back on this post on June 30, 2014 to see what has or has not changed. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Timesheets and Invoices
In order to get paid for all of my various and sundry jobs, I need to submit timesheets and invoices.
Springfield City Library gets a weekly timesheet and I'm paid weekly.
The Massachusetts Library System gets a timesheet every two weeks and I'm paid the following Thursday.
I submit a timesheet weekly to the Donohue Group, but I receive a check every 2 weeks.
There's no timesheet for Simmons College. I sign a contract at the beginning of the academic year and they trust me enough to deposit money every month in my checking account.
When I give a Continuing Education workshop, I need to submit an invoice in order to be paid.
Even jobs for which I don't get paid need timesheets. RSVP, the coordinator of the Senior exercise class, wants to know how many hours I spend leading the class. The Hatfield Senior Center also wants to know those hours, so they can include them in their annual report to the town.
I'm hardly the only one volunteering at the Hatfield Senior Center. There's an assistant who is paid for a few hours each week, but works many more hours which are included in the volunteer report. Then there are the people who help serve meals, deliver meals, distribute monthly "brown bags" (supplementary food for income-eligible seniors), and far more activities than I even know about.
For those people who volunteer a certain number of hours during the year, RSVP holds a grand volunteer appreciation lunch held at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. I've been to many recognition lunches and dinners, and I can say that this one is the BEST. The food is excellent and there are a ton of door prizes as well as fun and interesting people to talk with.
The Hatfield Senior Center also has its own recognition event with food and gifts. Among other things, I received a screwdriver - but not just any screwdriver. This one has a handle that looks like a small, rectangular box that opens, revealing several magnetic screwdriver heads. Each one fits into either end of the handle. It's cute and it works really well. I've used it several times. It's now my favorite tool.
So who needs to get paid dollars for everything?
Springfield City Library gets a weekly timesheet and I'm paid weekly.
The Massachusetts Library System gets a timesheet every two weeks and I'm paid the following Thursday.
I submit a timesheet weekly to the Donohue Group, but I receive a check every 2 weeks.
There's no timesheet for Simmons College. I sign a contract at the beginning of the academic year and they trust me enough to deposit money every month in my checking account.
When I give a Continuing Education workshop, I need to submit an invoice in order to be paid.
Even jobs for which I don't get paid need timesheets. RSVP, the coordinator of the Senior exercise class, wants to know how many hours I spend leading the class. The Hatfield Senior Center also wants to know those hours, so they can include them in their annual report to the town.
I'm hardly the only one volunteering at the Hatfield Senior Center. There's an assistant who is paid for a few hours each week, but works many more hours which are included in the volunteer report. Then there are the people who help serve meals, deliver meals, distribute monthly "brown bags" (supplementary food for income-eligible seniors), and far more activities than I even know about.
For those people who volunteer a certain number of hours during the year, RSVP holds a grand volunteer appreciation lunch held at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. I've been to many recognition lunches and dinners, and I can say that this one is the BEST. The food is excellent and there are a ton of door prizes as well as fun and interesting people to talk with.
The Hatfield Senior Center also has its own recognition event with food and gifts. Among other things, I received a screwdriver - but not just any screwdriver. This one has a handle that looks like a small, rectangular box that opens, revealing several magnetic screwdriver heads. Each one fits into either end of the handle. It's cute and it works really well. I've used it several times. It's now my favorite tool.
So who needs to get paid dollars for everything?
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
It Seems Like So Much More - Redux
Working all of these different jobs means that I receive a lot of different checks, or get money deposited in my checking account. It feels as if money is pouring in. Unfortunately, each check or deposit is not a large amount as it represents somewhere between 8 and 20 hours of work.
The Mass. Library System pays every two weeks. So does the Donohue Group. Their pay day falls on different weeks so there is a deposit one week from MLS and a check the following week from DGI.
The Springfield City Library pays weekly. That's another deposit.
Simmons College pays on the first of the month, although only during the academic year when I'm teaching. My last deposit happened May 1 and I won't get another until October 1.
And then there are the continuing education workshops I give for MLS, the Connecticut State Library and occasionally another organization. Those are checks that arrive a couple of weeks after the workshop.
While the total of all these checks/deposits does not add up to the full time position I had at CMRLS, they represent a steady income on which I can depend and that makes my life (and paying bills) a lot easier.
The Mass. Library System pays every two weeks. So does the Donohue Group. Their pay day falls on different weeks so there is a deposit one week from MLS and a check the following week from DGI.
The Springfield City Library pays weekly. That's another deposit.
Simmons College pays on the first of the month, although only during the academic year when I'm teaching. My last deposit happened May 1 and I won't get another until October 1.
And then there are the continuing education workshops I give for MLS, the Connecticut State Library and occasionally another organization. Those are checks that arrive a couple of weeks after the workshop.
While the total of all these checks/deposits does not add up to the full time position I had at CMRLS, they represent a steady income on which I can depend and that makes my life (and paying bills) a lot easier.
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