I've made it a practice to not edit or delete my posts. But for this topic, I need to edit because of the wonderful updates that are necessary! ~Updated 02/29/2020 I have had some of the most amazing experiences over the last few years of my career. The most satisfying is being an outreach librarian (serving … Continue reading Online Dating
Speed networking is a fairly new concept that developed after the trending 'speed dating' of the late 1990's. The idea behind speed dating is to spend a few minutes with someone to see if you click. If you do, you share information for a future date. What is speed networking? It's an opportunity to connect with people in your … Continue reading Speed Networking: Making Professional Contacts
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
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 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
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?
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
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
Each interview process is different - depending on the industry, depending on the employer. You prepared a cover letter, a resume, and possibly more to get to the interview part of the application process. If you haven't already done so, it's time to investigate the company. Learn as much as you can and prepare to … Continue reading You landed an interview. Now what?
Thinking about 2015 and looking forward to 2016. After completing my masters degree in December 2014, I decided to make 2015 a year to figure out how I could utilize my experiences to help others. I started by offering to help more people - resume assistance and volunteering. I also wanted to start writing again. … Continue reading Be Beautiful
Whether you are a writer, a painter, or a librarian - there is nothing like that spark of inspiration. If you are privileged enough to attend conferences in your field, the part that is most fun is when an idea strikes you and you think "Oh! Yes! I can...." One of the best parts of … Continue reading When inspiration strikes
Lately I have been speaking to a lot of senior citizen groups. I was reluctant to state my obvious message - but I said it anyway. If a library appears on your property tax bill, like it does in my town, you are paying for library services and materials. So I ask, if you are … Continue reading Own your library card
Are you new at your job? Or, have you been in your field for years and have to learn a new skill? Congratulations! You're a newbie. We are all new at things when we are first learning them. Sure, we want to put our best foot forward and be confident. Just remember - we have some … Continue reading News for newbies
Outreach simply means reaching out to your community. You don't have to leave your desk to connect with the community - but it helps. You don't need a bookmobile or a vehicle. You don't even need to be a librarian. I have learned firsthand from some of my patrons - it is up to us … Continue reading What Outreach means to me…
I have been helping patrons search for their ancestors for years. It is only recently I began my own search. My family is pretty easy when it comes to our heritage, right? Not really. I find I'm a step ahead because I know where to look. So, I thought I'd share some great resources I … Continue reading Searching for my ancestors. Aren’t you? Genealogy.
I offer advice and assistance to people on a daily basis. And I kept thinking, I wish I could put my knowledge and resources in one logical place. I love my library world. I began as a library shelver on my 18th birthday, never stepping into a public library before. I didn't know anything about … Continue reading Here To Help
