Reading in the Deep End

I promised in a previous post that I would tell you more about my job, but then Hurricane Irene hit, and other posts just became more dire.

Now that Irene is gone, let's talk details! 

Because it is appropriate to do so, I'm going to refrain from using any names when I talk about my school libraries.  It just seems like the right choice to me.

So, I was hired last week to take over two completely different school libraries in the same district.  My first day with students is on Wednesday, and my head is still spinning.

Disaster Resources for Adults

I have been posting to my facebook and Google+ pages the road closings that are happening in and around my area.  Some have asked where I'm getting this information, so here it is.  This is how I stay informed when disasters strike.

Hurricane Resources for Children

My daughter turned three yesterday.  Originally, we had arranged to throw her a birthday party which was cancelled thanks to Hurricane Irene.  Not only did I have to explain to a three-year-old that her party was cancelled, but that it was due to a storm, specifically a hurricane.

To help her grasp these concepts, I used the following resources, which may be useful for your children or to use with your students next week.

I got a job!

I did it!  It finally happened!  I got a job.

I am officially a librarian.  *whew*

So how did I get a job?  Why was I able to get a job when there are so many librarians struggling; librarians with a lot more experience than me?  Well, let's look at the numbers.

I keep a spreadsheet for job hunting.   I know - how very "librarian" of me - but that's how I keep track of everything.  I jot down where I found the job, the link to the description, the title, when I applied, and any responses (if any) I receive.

My job hunt began in 2008.  Yup.  I've been applying to jobs since 2008.  I started my MLIS in 2007, so it isn't surprising that I never got a job back then, I suppose.  I not only had zero experience, I also didn't even have a degree.  But I tried nonetheless, hoping against insanity that someone would hire me anyway.

I guess I figured I had nothing to lose.

Your Library's Theme Song

I have no idea where I got this idea or from whence it sprang, but I was thinking, "If I had a library, what would its theme song be?"

Several ideas came to mind, but these are my favorites.  Enjoy and please let me know what you think your library's theme song should be!

What NOT to Wear on an Interview

In my previous post, I mentioned how I'd been rejected from the latest school with whom I interviewed.  It was a tough blow, but there's nothing like a new interview to make you feel hopeful again!

So, I'm back on the horse and getting ready to interview tomorrow.

While going through my mental checklist of the things I need to get ready for the interview, I bumped into this picture.  If you read through the presented checklist, you will recognize the rules that were always given to us on how to be a respectable interviewer.  I have to say that I disagree with most of them, and I wanted your thoughts on it.

Moving On

I didn't get the job.  I made it to top three, for which I am extremely happy since it was a library directorship.  But still, it can't help but sting a little.

At least I received the nicest "rejection letter".  They said that I was an amazing candidate and that they wish they could have given all three of us jobs, but in the end, they had to pick one.  I'll never really know why I wasn't the one they chose.  I'm guessing it was my lack of experience.  Or maybe my enthusiasm and "young exuberance" scared them.  Change can be terrifying for a school.  Either way, I'll never know.  So the question that remains then is, "How do you move on from a job rejection?"