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
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 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?
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 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?
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
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
If you have kids, are involved in your community, or part of an organization - you have meetings to attend. We are surrounded by meetings at work: one-on-one meetings, coaching sessions, reviews, team meetings, task forces, committees, community meetings, etc. Meetings should have a purpose, those involved should have a reason to be there, and … Continue reading Another meeting? Make it 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.
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…
You're not alone - when you are part of a team - though, sometimes, you may want to be. Teamwork is a popular concept. During job interviews, the employer tries to figure out if you play nice with others. When you are in school, you work in groups. Even at home, it's easier to get … Continue reading You’re not alone – when you are part of a team
I love to people watch. But not the creepy kind of people watching. Just the people fascinate me kind of people watching. I was watching an episode of TNG and I laughed because Data's role in the episode was to be fascinated by people doing ordinary things. That is so me. And that episode got … Continue reading Smile – even when you don’t want to: customer service
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…
Have you used Google? Go Google that! It's a company. It's a noun. It's a verb. In 2015, Google was reported to be worth over 350 billion dollars. Let's embrace it and learn how to use it properly. Google is very easy to use. You simply type in your keywords - then the world opens … Continue reading How do you find it? Google. Oh Google.
Based on my readings in 2015, there are overall 5 skills you need in finding a job in today’s market. You need to: Be an exceptional communicator – who listens and conveys information effectively both verbally and in writing. Be able to demonstrate analytical thinking – identify, review, improve, and streamline processes. Be computer literate … Continue reading Need more job hunting tips? It can be overwhelming. Here are a few.
