Hello Again

I have taken a bit of time off these past couple of months. I guess I needed some time to reflect and really think about my career and my current job.

I've been in my current position for over seven years. It's probably the seven-year itch, but I've had some serious thoughts about moving on and elsewhere. I do love my job (you've heard me say this many times) and, although I'm sure it seems like I use this space to "complain" a lot about obnoxious patrons (and god knows, there are a lot to complain about!), those same patrons make this job interesting. They also account for a small percentage of the patrons I encounter.

This is a tough time for libraries and librarians. This is not news to you. Libraries across the country are reducing hours, reducing staff, charging for services and charging for use. To switch jobs right now would be, well, career suicide. I am constantly reminded how bad the situation is out there by other bloggers, especially one of my very very favorites: the Annoyed Librarian. (I strongly encourage you to follow her!)

A while back, I mentioned I had proposed changing my library's hours to "by appointment only." There were a number of reasons for this:

1. I am an only staff person and on days when we have open hours, I cannot leave to take lunch unless I make significant arrangements (which is a hassle, so I don't).


2. If I'm sick or my child is sick and I can't come in, the library is closed. You can imagine the anger of someone who's driven in only to find the library doors shut.


3. Knowing when people are coming is incredibly helpful. Not only to me, but to them as well. I can prepare things or I can let them know if we don't have what they need and save them a trip.

Please note that none of these reasons includes hating people or wanting to reduce services or reduce access. The proposed change was really for practical reasons.

It's not going to happen. Sigh. And in times like these, I have no bargaining power. If I don't like it, I am free to leave and there will likely be tens of people submitting resumes for my job. I'll have to live with things continuing as they are.

I have to admit at first I felt defeated and a bit angry. I worked for a number of corporations and for-profit companies in the earlier part of my career and sometimes use those experiences as my "normal" gauge. Getting what you want by thoughtful proposal and reasonableness doesn't always work at non-profits, especially those with a significant public-service component. I have to remember that sometimes.

So, I can take this experience and say "screw you guys" and walk away. Or I can accept it and be thoughtful about how to handle the future. I guess maybe I've finally become an adult, because I'm choosing the later.

See you people in the New Year with more stories about annoying patrons, crazy requests, librarian insights and other stories I hope you'll find interesting or, at best, entertaining.