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

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

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

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

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…