I came across a meme today at a moment when I was feeling overwhelmed and needed some clarity. "Have you ever been so disappointed in someone that you forgive them and don't say anything, but in your head you detach yourself from them completely?" Have you? The first thing I noted was an ah-ha moment … Continue reading Disappointment
Online Dating
Have you used Facebook, online games, or other social media? Most people have communicated online without realizing that they have entered the online chat world. When some of my older library patrons kept talking about the online world, a theme I kept hearing was how negative and awful social media and online dating are. I … Continue reading Online Dating
Imagine the World
I find myself humming John Lennon's Imagine a lot lately. You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will be as one. I believe in people. We are here for a blip of time. And within that blip we feel a pull to live … Continue reading Imagine the World
Time
Time flies. Time passes. Time gets away from us. Time is precious. Time is short. Time to move on. Time to heal. Time to start again. Time. It's been over 500 days since I wrote on my blog that I started in July 2015. I had poured myself into it, as I do with everything … Continue reading Time
Growing Pains
Ever since my son started high school in August, I have been thinking quite a bit about growing pains. I can recall from a very young age my Mom telling me that my aches and pains were just growing pains and thinking "when do these growing pains stop?" If you Google growing pains you will get hits … Continue reading Growing Pains
Why are we so hard on ourselves
Why are we so hard on ourselves? And by extension, others? We are our own worst critic. I used to be harder on myself. I still am sometimes. Writing this post, for example, was difficult for me. I wondered if my inspiration to write this post was worth exploring. I worried what people would think about … Continue reading Why are we so hard on ourselves
It’s how you look at it
Checking out the beautiful town of Raleigh in North Carolina for a possible future national library conference location, I have been impressed by the beauty of the land and the people. I have been people watching, talking with anyone I make eye contact with, and keeping an open mind. I had an unexpected day … Continue reading It’s how you look at it
Keep Moving
"Keep Moving!" was this month's storytime theme at one of the preschools I visit. We talked about the importance of movement through stretch, yoga, and dance. The children had so much fun and learned how to do the sign language for the word dance. Keep Moving, has been repeating over and over in my head. … Continue reading Keep Moving
I stumbled into myself
No matter what your hobby, craft, or passion - in order to showcase your talent, be true to yourself. Sometimes people say they want to 'find their voice' or they are trying to figure out what they are good at doing. The truth is we are trying to discover who we are. Here are some … Continue reading I stumbled into myself
Time to Reflect
Today marks 150 days since I returned from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Congress in Columbus, Ohio. I keep replaying my drive home and the evening of my arrival in my mind. My life has not been the same since, as my personal life has changed drastically. I spend time with my amazing … Continue reading Time to Reflect
Transform in 2017
It's the new year and I've been thinking about how we transform, how we evolve. My son has enjoyed playing Pokémon since he was 5. I especially like it since this game is the reason he enjoys reading. Evolution, as explained by the Pokémon database, "is a key part of the Pokémon games. Evolving Pokémon makes … Continue reading Transform in 2017
Sharing Gifts
I recently met Jaz, a young man who will be starting college in January. I offered to help him with his student loan paperwork and a resume. When we met, I realized he didn't need my help. But he was gracious enough to listen to me and we wound up talking about his future. This … Continue reading Sharing Gifts
Networking & Careers
Networking is important - no matter what career choice you have made. I cannot stress this enough to those I mentor. What is networking? Engaging in conversation for the purpose of developing professional contacts and exchanging information. Most information I have read encourages newbies to network (new to a field, fresh out of school, new to … Continue reading Networking & Careers
We are all people
This morning I was drinking a cup of hot tea and thinking about Fran. Fran was my mentor, my role model, and my friend when I was a young adult. She was the Polish cook at the church rectory in Berwyn where I grew up. I loved her like a grandmother and miss her since she passed … Continue reading We are all people
Libraries as Community Centers
Libraries are... When you hear the word library, what images come to mind? Books. Movies. Music. Magazines. Computers. Children storytime. A Learning Center. Fun family programs, like Comicopolis @ the White Oak Library. A cool place to read a newspaper in the summer. A warm place to attend a craft class in the winter. In the beginning of each year, … Continue reading Libraries as Community Centers
Got the customer service blues?
Do you have the customer service blues? Or, work with someone who does? Do you dread unlocking the doors in the morning for customers? Do you breathe a sigh of relief when a customer walks away without encountering a problem? Do you find yourself hoping the next customer doesn't ask questions? Are you judging people … Continue reading Got the customer service blues?
Fired. Dismissed. Let Go.
You're Fired. Dismissed. Discharged. Terminated. Put on notice. Sacked. Got the boot. Marching orders. Pink slip. Those are words that invoke all sorts of feelings. Whether you have ever had to fire someone or you have been fired, it can be a terrible experience. Could we forget how many people Donald Trump fired on his … Continue reading Fired. Dismissed. Let Go.
Living Your Dream
When did you know what you wanted to do with your life? Are you searching for your purpose? If you are one of the lucky people who know what your calling in life is, pursue it. Some people are searching for a dream job, while others are looking for a bigger purpose in life. Those … Continue reading Living Your Dream
Lifelong Learning
Lifelong learning is a phrase I often hear in my profession. It's a basic belief that you can take advantage of opportunities, formally and informally, and to learn at any age. Lifelong learning is both for professional and personal fulfillment, to improve yourself, your knowledge, and your skills. Libraries offer the perfect venue for these … Continue reading Lifelong Learning
Partnerships: A Marketing Opportunity
Marketing is a vast world. For the purpose of this article, marketing is how we communicate what we do and build that message with others. There are many different types of marketing and ways of reaching our customers: in-person marketing, email marketing, paper marketing, social media and website marketing, etc. One of the many ways we … Continue reading Partnerships: A Marketing Opportunity
