COVID-19 is more than a virus. It's a test. It's a test of our humanity - our love and compassion towards each other. Grandpa Sam used to call it "Cobalt" and asked to talk about it every day. He said he thought it was all hype - the virus, the pandemic, the vaccinations. So when … Continue reading Those Cobalt Blues
Online Dating
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
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
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
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
Speed Networking: Making Professional Contacts
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 & 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
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
You landed an interview. Now what?
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?
Be Beautiful
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
When inspiration strikes
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
Own your library card
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
News for newbies
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
So you want to be a manager… a good one.
Being a good manager boils down to three points: Communication, Knowledge, and Honesty. They are vital - to have buy-in, to be productive, and to solve problems. Effective managing is a balance between being professional and being human. Honesty. No matter what level of management, you have to respect the hierarchy. You are never the … Continue reading So you want to be a manager… a good one.
Stressed? Don’t let your job kill you…
Work can be stressful. Sometimes a situation can be so horrible, it's incapacitating. Men and women both perceive and deal with stress differently (see the attached article from WebMD). But, both sexes need to focus on practical steps. You are, after all, more than your job. You deserve to live your life without debilitating stress. … Continue reading Stressed? Don’t let your job kill you…