Leaping Librarian

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Out of Order--Rephrase

Well, this leaping libertine librarian just attended a meeting of the planning committee for an upcoming Conference. One of the librarians said that she does not like to be negative. When the copy machine is out of order, she does not use an 'out of order' sign. She posts alternatives for the library users. I love that!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Librarians TV Series

Okay. This librarian needs to interlibrary loan this series. My partner and I have turned off our cable and only watch our shows on cable after the fact. Of course, my 14 year old knows how to find almost anything on his computer. That's another story. The point is: well, just look at the link below!

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/librarians/#/front-desk

French Cultural Center/Mais oui

Did you know that The French Library in Boston can set up with you to have a deposit collection to help your French speaking customers? For the mere price of an annual membership, your library can become a partner and provide wonderful French titles to your public.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

The librarian becomes obsolete!

One of my coworkers was watching the Twilight Zone marathon and saw the episode where the librarian needs to die because he becomes obsolete! Rod Serling knew horror when he saw it!

Great Read: Underground Time by De Vigan

If your customers are looking for a great read that is NOT formulaic, may I recommend Underground Timeby Delphine De Vigan? The author is French and this book was shortlisted for the 2009 Prix Goncourt. The two main characters in this novel, Mathilde and Thibault are struggling with their lives in Paris. Mathilde has a boss who really, truly is out to get her. Thibault is in love with a woman who is really cold and distant and he knows that he must break up their affair.

Mathilde has already suffered widowhood. Her job in the company was the one thing that gave her an identity, a sense of belonging. Now her boss, Jacques has turned on her. Thibault is feeling isolated and alienated from the city that he once loved. The two of them travel through the city with their struggles. They are on parallel paths. Their paths may cross. And then?

Read this riveting, beautifully written novel to find out!

Inspiration from:Radical Careering/ Sally Hogshead

Here's some inspirational wisdom from a book that will help keep you leaping:

Radical Truth number 26: Circumstances can't cripple your career as much as doubt or passivity.

"In truth, the most dangerous enemies of success prowl within ourselves-apathy, uncertainty, complacency. By overthrowing these enemies, you make room for your own progress."

Another lovely quote: "We each have the potential to do something beyond our wildest imagination, as long as we're prepared to make it happen at any given moment of our lives."

Me speaking here: How can we be the librarians that we want to be at every given moment? How can we make the tiniest detail of our day a song, a note in a symphony of greatness? One way is to watch for the complacency, the apathy.....keep them from taking over. What can you do right now to feel good about your librarian? Can you create something? A display? A report? Can you find that book for the customer even though it might take a little extra effort?

Close your eyes for a minute. Imagine yourself prepared to do that something that you really want to do....in your library or in your search for a job.....what would it be?

Even the smallest step can help to get you there...Pick something. Anything. Make that phone call, perhaps. Fix the squeaking wheel on the book truck. Envision the program that you always wanted to see...Remember that Gandhi quote: "Be the change that you want to see."