Do I have to?! Conferences, Workshops and the Like

I never really understood why people get all goofy about going to library events. I suppose it is time consuming. It usually costs money. And there are times when someone may not think it is worth their time.

"Do I have to?"

"What if there isn't anything GOOD being offered?"

"I don't think there is anything new I a can learn about libraries that I don't already know."

"You want me to take notes?!"

 So let me tell you why you should go.

Because it is IMPORTANT to your professional development.

In times of economic hardship and employment shortages, it can sometimes be hard to justify why someone should shell out the $25, $75, or $125 for a conference. Sometime much, much more. But the library world is a big place. It is diverse and changes constantly. The job market is extremely competitive. It is so important that you keep yourself updated on the latest and greatest in all things library related. It makes the most sense to immerse yourself in any opportunity to further your professional career - no matter if you shelve books, work the circulation desk or are a librarian. Continuing education is your best bet to get a leg up on the competition.

Side note: Yes, I am saying you are and should be working your ass off everyday for your library job. Don't ever let people think you have a a nice quiet little uneventful job that is resistant to massive shake ups. Because that is when a crazy departmental reorganization or managerial shift may hit and before you know it, it turns into full blown zombie apocalypse happens, with head hunting or brain eating ensues and survival of the fittest kicks in. Then what would you do? Just sayin'...

There is a lot of apprehension associated with becoming more involved and vested in your chosen profession. So if you are one of those who never felt the need or desire to attend something library related, there are a few things I would like to share with you that might change your mind or make you feel more comfortable about expanding your horizons - stepping out of your library box - giving you the best shot at being a more worldly representative of your library...and yourself. Bonus, right?! Here we go....

It is going to cost money. There are lots and lots and lots of free online webinars, podcasts, and online classes. They can be pre-recorded and watched at your leisure which gives you the ability to schedule around it. Large conferences tend to have discounted rates to paid members, but even MORE cool, they offer scholarships. Apply for them! And a little tid-bit of info you may not know: sometimes organizations have more scholarships than applicants, so they are practically throwing them out there. Take advantage of it!

It is going to be boring. Really?! You don't want to go because you think you will be bored? There isn't any good sessions that apply to your job? You already know EVERYTHING so you can't possibly learn anything new??   *SIGH*   Puhleez. Library conferences are not just about the content and the free food. There are networking opportunities. Some of the most important things I learned did not come from a Power Point, but from my peers. Just socializing in that environment gives you the connections you need when you are back at your desk and need the expertise of a fellow library professional. Their experience and knowledge are an invaluable resource. Tap it.

It is going to be something you already know. Oh, really? So maybe you should be the one up there teaching it! Yeah, I am serious. I don't know how many times I have heard others say, "I already know this." or, "Actually, there is more to it." Lend your time and knowledge to the content of a conference or workshop. Know a new and better way to do something? Present it to a group of your peers. Worked on a really cool project with your co-workers and had fun doing it? Arrange for a panel of you to talk to a group of librarians. Write an article, create a display for a poster session, volunteer for a committee...start a blog. Share.

It is going to do nothing for my career. Wrong! Taking initiative, showing an interest in continuing your professional development, wanting to be something bigger than yourself ...now that is library-sexy. It tells others you are motivated and passionate about what you do and how you do it. And it gets you noticed! People will recognize you as a forward thinker and will go to you for guidance and seek you out when they need answers. Believe me, its true. Employers love it because it make them look great too...it gets your name out in the library community, it puts your library on the radar as one which encourages and nurtures individuals who want to better themselves. And that is a great thing.

I guess I would argue that no, you do not have to attend any sort of library events, conferences, workshops or online webinars if you do not want to. I can tell you from personal experience that by taking a proactive initiative and volunteering to go to these events, to ask to go to others, and applying for those scholarships - I have expanded my Library Lady horizons immensely, participated in events and committees that have taught me worlds of library information, and helped catapult me into a leadership role before I knew it. It has been invaluable to my career...and I haven't looked back once. Libraries are where I belong...!

"So how's that working out for ya?" Moving from Public to Academic Libraries

"Why?"

That was most frequently asked question my fellow library folks asked me when I told them after 8 years of working in a public library setting, I had accepted a position in an academic library. And not just ANY academic library, but a large health sciences library that served students, staff,and faculty of a HUGE medical campus. I guess they were right to kinda cock an eye with a raised eyebrow. I suppose I was a bit mystified by their questioning tone and was caught a little off guard. I mean, sure...it may have been a bit of a different animal, but definitely in the same zoo. My answer was always simple and direct.

"Because I can."

So began my journey into the world of academia. I went in knowing it would be different, it might be hard, but I also knew I was offered the position because the people who would soon become my peers thought I was the best candidate to do so. And most importantly, I felt I was completely up for the new direction my Library Lady career was taking me.

Far out.

I was essentially doing the same job duties in the health sciences library as I was in the public library. I checked out books, I helped people place things on hold, I helped with PC trouble shooting, and did basic database instruction at the desk and over the phone. Circulation stuff. Very easy for me to slide into. Some training required - but a lot. And I was very comfortable there. 

There was a period of adjustment. It is true - it was a much different environment. This library serves several different schools both on campus and from the surrounding areas around the state. Our student base is mostly Graduate level, our faculty are mostly doctors, and our staff includes researchers and assistants. Needless to say, it can be a really intense and focused environment. 

I had a lot to learn. Here are just a few things about moving from a public library to a academic library:

I Need it Now.

To me, much of the public library patrons use it for personal, leisure interests. This in turn, may lead one to suspect they get enjoyment if browsing, sitting for hours looking through books, camping out in the children's area with their friends and their children for a play date or impending story time. Teens (as we know) just like to hang out. On the other hand, the health sciences library has a heavy use of online databases and bound journals that our users need, or sometimes actually demand, access to both on campus and off campus. In some cases they are not even in the same country! Both the students and faculty tend to be in high stress, short on time situations where they need the information yesterday and have a why-can't-you-just-send-it-to-me-now mentality about the services we provide. Sometimes we have to talk them down from the meltdown ledge.

Food, Please. 

The idea that public libraries would permit families to walk into the library, spread out a blanket, and proceed to eat their family dinner of KFC or Arby's in the middle of the library would cause some of my fellow library constituents to faint dead away. Although, some may allow covered drinks like coffee or soda, I would be hard pressed to imagine much more. The students and researchers who use our library are not here to use the computer lab for a few minutes or to grab a hand full of books. They do what we like to refer to as "camping out". Our students are here for hours. They bring sack lunches. They have pizzas delivered. We have vending machines, a microwave and a small fridge for their use. It is a necessary addition to their study experience. 

Shhhhh...It Happens.

Now, if you have spent anytime in a neighborhood library branch, you know - it isn't very quiet. It can't be. There are large groups of children in the library at any given time, adults getting together for a book club or knitting circle, or gamers chattering about their virtual worlds - it is a constant hum. And unavoidable. In an academic environment, people are doing intense and complex research and writing. They quite often are taking finals on the computers which are not in an enclosed area. They need quiet and little distractions which mean no loud headphones, large groups use small study rooms, and there are hardly children in the library. It is necessary...and sometimes others need to be reminded, which includes myself. When I first started working here I was indeed shushed by other staff members....and still am occasionally. Still working on that.

I Have My Own Desk! But Wait...There's More.

Long gone are the days of dozens of people waiting outside the glass doors for the library to open as you scramble to process the book drops, boxes of courier that are delivered, and pull dozens of holds for borrowing patrons. Endless (yes, I mean endless) hours of standing on your feet checking items out, shelving books, helping patrons with online applications, and cleaning up the children's area. Closing time was a tag team effort, with some staff frantically flashing lights and checking out last minute stragglers while another herds them toward the waiting door that is quickly locked - "Open" sign flipped to "Closed". So imagine my surprise when I arrived in my new position with my own desk. in my own little nook, with my own phone line, and my own computer. And you don't want me working 8 hours at the circulation desk? Crazy, right?! Well, turns out having less desk hours makes for new projects, committee work, and meetings. I spend a good part of my day at my desk working on my personal tasks along with anything else that comes along during the work day. Needless to say my days are very full and I have to practically tear myself away from my desk to take my lunch. Despite the seemingly quiet and slow paced environment, I am  very busy. Self motivation and organizational skills come in real handy.

There is so much more I can talk about. I guess my point is, my decision to switch my library environment might have started out as a perceived "risk" but has turned into such a "reward". I went into my new job thinking it would be so so so different - and it has been. But the skills I brought with me have helped me gain new and exciting knowledge to carry on into my next library adventure...whatever that may be. I have no doubt it will be as important and influential as any experience that has come before it. And I have learned that change doesn't have to mean different...it can mean more, too. 

Taking a Library Leap of Faith

Why to we seek out and apply for new jobs?

Because we are passionate about it.

The need to pay the bills.

For our own professional development.

POWER.

Okay, maybe not "power" in the Lex Luther sense, per se. But sort of, right? Let me explain....

In the very beginning of my professional life, I was a young mom and wife looking for a job that would make me money and fit my job experience. And so I found myself in an entry level library position. Weird and totally unexpected. But was great. I learned tons of basic library skills and I really dug it. I hung out for about three years, but due to both practical and financial reasons, I decided to move on to a full time library clerk position in another library system.

And that is where I fell in love with libraries.

I had great co-workers, great supervisors, and lots of new faces to meet and greet everyday. I was on the front  lines - working at the circulation desk every day. Basic reference skills were developed: I shelved books (knew Dewey like an ACE), I did reader's advisory (kept up with trends and popular reading), I helped make decisions about the collection (was familiar with what my library community wanted to see more of). I had the opportunity to commit a portion of my time doing outreach, preparing programs, and being creative with displays and library PR. I was a worker bee...and good thing! Because small, public libraries nestled in neighborhoods surrounded by families can be very similar to a hive! I enjoyed every minute of it...for the entire 5 years I was there.

There came a point where I had to step back and ask myself a few things:

Did I like what I was doing?

Of course! Duh.

Was it enough to provide for my family? 

Umm, getting a little sketchy with the new house payment.

Will I able to continue growing professionally in my current position? 

Hmmm...perhaps. If I went back to school.

Would I be able to use the library skills and knowledge I had to elevate me to a different level in library services? 

Couldn't hurt to try, could it?

So I started looking. I applied for several different positions around the state. As in the beginning, I was looking  for something that would make me (a little more) money and fit my skill set. After several months of searching, interviewing, and interviewing again...I was offered and accepted the new position. Although I was thrilled, it was a real scary thing for me. I kinda asked around.

"Am I making a mistake?" 

"Do you think I can do this?" 

"Is this the dumbest idea ever?" 

The more I asked around - family, friends, colleagues - the more and more I was hearing the same things.

"You've got this, Ruby."

"I have every confidence in your abilities."

"Stop talking about and just do it already!"

I would be leaving an environment I had loved and grown in for 5 years. It seemed like a lifetime! But it took something I lacked before.

Faith in myself.

Faith to know I was more confident in my professional skin, that I had skills that were valuable and the ability to fall in a space where I would hit the ground running. And that was very exciting. And you know what? That power thing showed up. I felt energized, moved, inspired -  I was eager to take that leap. I knew I was making a big decision that could affect the rest of my professional life. The more I thought about it, the more I knew it was THE opportunity to spread my wings and go where the library winds took me. I was ready. Bring. It. On.

I had been very lucky to have staff and supervisors around me during those 5 years to nurture and encourage me during those years - and I can say with complete certainty, I feel like I was leaving home. There were tears and a little bit of guilt felt by me for leaving. But like momma birds, they nudged me lovingly out of the cozy nest, and cheered me on as I flapped and flailed all the way into my next adventure...

Academic libraries.

Dear, Paula: A Love Letter to My Mentor

I met Paula when I was working for the Aurora Public Library. She ran a small branch (I mean SMALL) in a North Aurora neighborhood, surrounded by schools and low income households. It was close to a main drag where the homeless population frequented. Paula loved that library. Because it was so small, she ran it almost entirely by herself. She knew everyone who came in and treated everyone with the respect and dignity that they deserved. The library patrons appreciated her kindness and often chatted her up during their visit. I learned a lot about Paula just watching her interact with other.

At some point, this small branch also became my home. I helped Paula with children's services the spanish-speaking population that frequented the library. I, by nature, am pretty crafty. Paula let me tap into that and I found myself doing almost everything dealing with children's programming in that branch...and I ran with it. I did story times, I did crafts, I went to local preschools and read to the kids, I was the main contact for the Summer Reading program for that branch...I set up displays, I decorated bulletin boards and made posters. I. Did. It. All. And I LOVED it.

We soon grew out of the little drafty space and we heard that a brand new library was being built for us to move into. Paula and I (almost entirely alone) packed up that library and moved into the new library. Together we planned the layout of the collection - all along, she treated me as a full partner. That move was really the beginning of our personal and professional relationship. She never treated me less that an equal. She trusted me to know the ins and outs of that branch, its collection, its customers. She pushed me to participate in the larger library community - to volunteer to be on committees and to attend workshops and conferences. She encouraged me to go back to school and helped me make the space in my life to fit a full time job and go to school full time. She was excited when I got A's and would always take time to say how proud she was of my accomplishments. She was my cheering squad...and I loved her for it.

Paula's cancer came back in the Fall of 2007. I held her hand under the table as she broke the news to our co-workers at a staff meeting. She continued to work, but was growing tired almost weekly. We ate lunch often, hardly speaking of how ill and frail she was becoming. We decided it wasn't important. What mattered was we had time and even though it was growing shorter...we would make the best of it.

I will never forget the last real conversation we had. We were having lunch at Wendy's (one of our favorite places) and she wanted to tell me that she had decided to stop or opt out of the aggressive cancer treatment. She was only going to take medicine that would make her "comfortable" but it also made her woozy and she wouldn't be able to visit very often anymore. We held hands and she told me she loved me and she was so very proud of me. I thanked her for everything. Everything. She had two requests for me. One, she didn't want me to see her sick. She couldn't bear to think how it may upset me and asked that towards the end that I not come to visit her.

And two..."Don't say 'goodbye'. This isn't 'goodbye.'"

Eventually, Paula stopped coming to work. While she was still well enough, she traveled. She visited her children for long extended periods. She tried to visit the library weekly to participate in the Knitting Circle, but soon could no longer make the trips. She couldn't drive. She was in a lot of pain. She slowly slipped away...

Paula passed away in April of 2008. In May of 2008 I walked across the stage and received my AA. It was bittersweet.

I carry her everywhere - she has made a profound impact on both my personal and professional life. So much so, that I am unsure that I would be her without her encouragement and support. I miss her terribly -  her laugh, her advice, her knowledge. I will always be grateful to her, knowing she took me under her librarian wing and taught me that you can do anything if you put you mind and heart into it. I owe a great deal to her in so many ways and was lucky to cross paths with her at the time that I did. To me, she was the essence of what a mentor is and should be...and has helped mold me into the paralibrarian I am today. I choose not to mourn her, but celebrate her for all that she was to me.

Supportive. Encouraging. Critical. Proud.

A teacher. A leader. A friend.

My friend.

You know you want me, R-Squared.

This isn't your ordinary blog. And I am not your ordinary Library Lady.

Yeah, I can rock a bun and chew on the corner of my studious glasses looking thoughtfully across the book stacks.

But I rather not.

I prefer to be surrounded by my peers: being creative and passionate...discussing how we are actively contributing to our library community in fun and innovative ways until we are all giddy and giggly, rolling on the floor like little children. And if you know  (or may be one of them - you know who you are!) the group of Library Peeps I hang with, you would know - we totally rock it.

I started to hear buzz about the R-Squared conference some time ago. It was SO EXCITING! I was one of the first one to jump on that band wagon! They want people who are creative, innovative, passionate, and willing to take a chance and do something out of the box...hey, I am your gal! I threw my name in the hat to volunteer...and quickly found out how much the conference was. For this paralibrarian, a wee bit too much of my conference allowance. Boo.

Then the scholarship showed up. On blogs, on Facebook pages, in library list serves. It was like the R-Squared Gods were calling to me.

"You must do this, Ruby! You are our only hope."

Okay, I lie. That last part was a quote from Star Wars. But you get the picture.

I decided to create this blog and take a stab at the scholarship. I owe it to myself and my peers to make the effort to get to this conference. Over the last several years, I have found myself embracing the path I have chosen more than I ever thought I would or could. For someone who fell into libraries by "accident", I have had the great fortune to meet so many people, do so many things, and collect on so many opportunities it is almost too much to believe sometimes. In turn, I have made it my mission to share my knowledge, express my thoughts and ideas, and gather friendships and colleagues along the way. That is "Continuing Education" the best way it can be earned - an interactive and engaging way of learning and teaching. You can't do that sitting behind a desk shushing people. You have to talk to them.

And it is only the beginning. I am constantly moving, changing, adapting. I want to be the best Library Lady out there. I want to be the one that implements new and exciting changes..who encourages others to step out of their library comfort zone. And to share that knowledge and passion to others.

So I want to go. Pick me, pick me!

What do I have to do? Stand on my head? Juggle? Yeah, I can't do that. But I know that I can use the opportunity to better myself , bring it back to my peers, and share it with my library community. Because let's face it...it is people like me that inspire others to become brave.

Innovative. Creative. Passionate.

LEADERS.

I know, because someone like me helped encourage me...to become me.


And being able to rock a bun and glasses doesn't hurt either.