Info Career Trends May 2, 2005 vol. 6, no. 3 ISSN 1532-0839 Published by Lisjobs.com - http://www.lisjobs.com E-mail: editor@lisjobs.com In This Issue (Charting Our Path): 1) Editor's Note 2) Career Q&A From the Library Career People (job hopping, holding out for the perfect offer) 3) The Long Road Home 4) Unexpectedly Unemployed 5) Personal Interests and Organizational Needs: A Balancing Act 6) The Path Never Intended 7) What's Online? Recommended Resources 8) But I Want To Hold It In My Hand! Review: Our Own Selves 9) Administrivia, Copyright, Subscription and Removal Instructions ======== Editor's Note From the moment we make the decision to enter this profession, we take on the responsibility for charting our own path - no matter what obstacles life, our libraries, or our particular jobs decide to throw in our way. Today's contributors talk about the idea of charting a career path in some very different ways, ranging from how to deal with unexpected unemployment, to coming to librarianship in a roundabout manner, to proactively increasing our marketability. ICT is currently seeking writers for two upcoming issues, Sept. 2005 ("What I Wish I'd Learned in Library School") and Nov. 2005 ("The Things We Bring"). More on these themes and contributor guidelines can be found at http://www.lisjobs.com/newsletter/theme.htm ; e-mail queries to editor@lisjobs.com. Lastly, just a note that ICT exists in part to promote your humble editor's services as a writer and a speaker. If you think you'd like to engage me for either, please take a look at my online resume: http://www.lisjobs.com/resume.htm , which contains examples of previous work and presentations. I'm available to speak to your library group or institution on multiple topics, including writing for publication, accidental library management, library careers, marketing yourself online, accidental systems librarianship, and next generation librarianship and succession planning. - Rachel (editor@lisjobs.com) ======== *** ADVERTISEMENT *** Better Edit! http://www.betteredit.net Social science and LIS articles and dissertations. APA, MLA, Chicago. "Very thorough, gives me peace of mind."--LIS client Free APA help! Send your questions to me: Laurie Rendon laurie@betteredit.net ======== Career Q&A From the Library Career People (librarycareerpeople@lisjobs.com) Q: I've been a librarian for nearly four years, and I am on my second job and third job title. I am not entirely satisfied with my current position and have been looking for other openings in and around my area; however, I do not want potential employers seeing me as a habitual "job hopper." Please help! SM: People change jobs for many reasons, and typically these moves are for the better - a promotion, more money, more responsibility, a change in environment, or an opportunity to learn new things. In many professions or industries, job hopping, defined as the "practice of changing jobs frequently, especially as a means of quick financial gain or career advancement" ( http://www.yourdictionary.com/ahd/j/j0047200.html ), is encouraged - and can be the only way to get ahead. In contrast, librarianship is a profession where loyalty and longevity have traditionally been rewarded, and "lifer" is a common term for employees. With its diversity and close ties to the information technology world, though, this can be an auspicious arena for job hoppers. Newer librarians have less work experience, and do not necessarily know what kind of librarianship they want to pursue or what type of library they would enjoy working in. They may find themselves moving from one position to another in an attempt to find their place in the world of libraries. Outgrowing an entry-level position may also very well mean moving on, either to a different library or to a different position or role within the same library. This seems to be more and more common among newer librarians, as traditional library environments and librarians' roles are changing rapidly with the technological age. Librarianship is a very diverse profession, with so many different roles and types of libraries, that finding "the perfect position" may be downright impossible - especially if one is geographically limited. Many librarians, when they are starting out, take the first decent job that is offered to them. They soon realize that it doesn't quite fit, so they acquire some experience, learn what they can, and start looking for other jobs. This doesn't necessarily make them job hoppers. Having several jobs, or roles, in your first few years as a librarian can provide a (motivated) librarian with essential experience and wonderful fodder for a resume. It can convey positive clues to potential employers that you are motivated, not shy of change or added responsibility, and are eager to succeed. But, if you think that you may truly be a job hopper, be careful. There are definitely negatives, if: 1. You do not spend enough time in each position. This is generally one year, minimum. You need to give each position, along with your supervisors and co-workers, a fair chance. You need to stay long enough to gain something out of the position, and long enough to be sure that you do not want to remain in the position. 2. There are stretches of unemployment in between jobs. Job hopping means moving from one position to another, not quitting a job and then looking for another one. 3. You have changed jobs more times than you can count. Don't make a career out of job-hopping. It might be fun to try something new every few years, but it will eventually make you look disloyal if you make a habit of it. 4. You are hopping out of the profession and back in. Unless you have a good reason to leave the profession, or the position you left for is closely related to librarianship, it may be difficult to explain on your resume. 5. Each successive position is not something more than the previous one. Your jobs should show a progression of skills and duties. In all reality, switching jobs several times with a clear record of upward movement and responsibility will look better on your resume than staying in one position for a long period of time and not advancing in any way. But, ultimately, it all depends on how happy or satisfied you are. Some people find that perfect position, and they are very content doing the same thing and staying at the same level. Others enjoy, even crave, a constant challenge; if a position becomes monotonous or there are no new challenges in their daily activities, then they start to get an "itch" to move on. Now, having said all that, you may not need to hop around so much after all. If you feel the itch to move, first try talking to your supervisor and letting her know that you are not fully satisfied in your current position. You do not need to mention that you might be looking for work elsewhere, but can provide some ideas on what you would like to be doing. You never know, there may be a great position, new role, or promotion right under your nose. A couple of articles related to job hopping: "As the Job Market Improves, Job Hopping Will Heat Up" by Laura Stevens ( http://www.careerjournal.com/salaryhiring/hotissues/20041130- stevens.html OR http://makeashorterlink.com/?L219229FA ) "Taking the Scenic Route: Following a Varied Library Career Path" by Priscilla Shontz ( http://www.lisjobs.com/newsletter/archives/jul03pshontz.htm ) Q: My question concerns how to handle one job offer for a less-than- ideal position while waiting (and hoping) for the job offer that I really want. Besides any other advice you can give, I would like to know how to handle the concrete offer. How much time is reasonable for "considering the offer?" Do I need to explain that I am seriously looking at another job and would probably take it if it were offered? Knowing how long the search process can sometimes take, if I accept the concrete offer, is it unprofessional to change my mind if I land the other job before I start work on the first? If the search process takes a long time, and I have already started the first job, how do I manage to get time off for the interview process when brand new in a position? Is it then a "black mark" to quit the first job after having already started it? If you can refer me to some good resources on the subject, particularly in the field of library employment, that would be great! TA: This is actually a pretty common question, with a rather simple answer, so my comments will be brief. The actual decision-making and implementation are more difficult, though, and may take a good deal of time and thought. So, you have an offer from "Institution A," and you would *like* an interview/offer from "Institution B." The first thing you need to do is ask for time from Institution A to consider their offer. You do not need to tell them you are considering other options. All you need to say is that you need to consider the offer, and you would like to take a few days. Human resources personnel expect you to take your time to think things over, so you could probably negotiate four or five days to consider the offer. Ask for the time you need, and take your cues from the HR person. If they ask for an answer sooner, ask them how much time they are willing to give you, and decide if that is enough. Then, immediately turn around and contact Institution B. Tell them that you remain interested in their position, but that you have another offer on the table (without mentioning the name of Institution A). Ask Institution B if they can tell you where they are in the search process, and if you are still a viable candidate in the pool. You will be able to tell a lot from their answer. If they are still reviewing applications, it may be a while before they contact candidates. If they are interviewing applicants, and you are not one of them, they may be able to tell you if your application is still active or if you have been eliminated from further consideration. If they really want you in the pool, Institution B may tell you, and may be able to expedite the search process to keep you. I would *strongly* caution against accepting a position simply to "bide your time" until you hear from Institution B. This is a real disservice to Institution A, and, depending on how quickly you leave the position, you may not leave the impression you'd like. If at all possible, once you accept a position, you should plan on being there at least one to three years. I cannot stress enough that the library profession is very small - people know people who know people. It would serve you well to be the ultimate professional in all that you do, even before you take the job. For other articles on the job search process, specifically in the library and information science profession, take a look at LISCareer.com ( http://www.liscareer.com/jobhunting.htm ). *** Have a question for the Library Career People? E-mail it to librarycareerpeople@lisjobs.com, and you could see it answered in an upcoming column. Sorry, we cannot provide personal responses. About the Authors Tiffany Allen is currently serving as the Assistant Personnel Librarian at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to her work in academic librarianship, Tiffany worked in a variety of libraries, including a small non-profit library and a large corporate research library. Susanne Markgren is Reference Coordinator and Web Librarian at the Levy Library, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City. Her career experience encompasses a variety of positions in different types of libraries, including public, special, and academic. ======== *** Post your resume online! See http://www.lisjobs.com/resumes.htm for details. ======== The Long Road Home by Denise Sharp (sdsharp@bpa.gov) I met my husband in a library in 1980; we both worked there at the time. Ever since then, I've had a soft spot for libraries. In 1994, after a lifetime of minimum wage and temporary jobs in other fields, I finally decided to go back to library work. However, a lot had changed from the early 1980s to the mid 1990s. No library would hire me, because my experience was too old. That was when I first began charting a career course for myself. The methods I have used can be used by anyone. They include volunteering, education, and networking - as well as a willingness to do just about anything. Volunteering One day, as I was getting books at my local library, I noticed a sign listing various volunteer opportunities. At that point, I had already received several rejections due to my lack of current experience. There was a volunteer job that sounded interesting to me, so I applied for it. The job was reading children's books and book-talking them in classrooms. Not only did this give me experience with current children's books and speaking in front of groups, I also handed out library card applications, made cards for students, and used a rudimentary form of checkout in the classrooms for the books the students wanted. With this experience under my belt, I was finally able to get my first part-time library job. Some time later, after losing that job due to budget cuts, I used volunteering in a different way. This time, I sat down and thought about the kinds of libraries I might like to work in. I volunteered in three different libraries to try out different areas and see what I might like best. This gave me an opportunity to try out different jobs, and to observe those who were doing what I thought I might be interested in doing. It also gave them a chance to get to know me and the kind of work I was capable of. This experience gained me part-time jobs in two of the libraries I volunteered in. Education In one of my jobs, I was a clerk, but I had an opportunity to observe the children's librarian whose desk was nearby. That was when I first decided that, if I ever had the opportunity, I'd like to get my MLS and do what she was doing. When I first lost my job during the budget cuts, I re-examined my goals, and decided I still wanted to pursue them. However, I didn't have enough money to attend graduate school. Instead, I found a one-year library media assistant course at my local community college. Taking this course helped rebuild my self-confidence, and gave me something to put on my resume. With this course and the second round of volunteer work I mentioned above, I was able to get those two part-time jobs, and eventually the full-time special library job I currently have. About a year after I started at my current job, I was feeling more secure than I had in some time, and I decided it was time to finally pursue my MLS. There are no library schools in my town, but I had my choice of several distance programs. I applied to two of them and was accepted into one in the fall of 2003. This program has classes on weekends, so I am able to continue working full-time. I am finding ways on the job to use much of what I am learning, and I am also beginning to steer more in the direction of the area I want to specialize in. School helps me understand the theories behind things I have been doing for years now, it helps me learn new skills, and it has brought a whole new level of excitement to my work. I have a little over a year yet to get my degree, but for those who already have a degree and may be feeling a little stale, being surrounded by intelligent students and learning from a teacher who is excited about their subject is the best way to revitalize your career. Networking It has only been since I started working on my MLS that I registered for every library association possible. To learn more about these organizations and get to know as many local librarians as possible, I have volunteered to be on various committees. With the ALA, I am on the SASCO committee of the NMRT. In the OLA, the Oregon chapter of the ALA, I am currently volunteering on the committee that is organizing our annual conference. Besides helping me get to know other librarians, it also gets my name out there for them to get to know me. It helps me develop skills I can use on my resume, as well. One of the skills I have needed to work on is leadership. I tend to be rather shy, but I have pushed my comfort zone by volunteering to give a presentation at one conference each year. My first presentation was in front of 60-80 people. To prepare for it, I joined Toastmasters a few months beforehand and gave a lot of practice speeches. It helped me through that first nerve-wracking presentation, and I have continued to work on my presentation and communication skills in Toastmasters. I have come a long way in the year I've been with them. Willingness to Do Just About Anything I admit it: I'm a Baby Boomer. We Boomers are used to working hard for what we want. I am often perplexed when I hear people say something like, "I want to work in a library, but I won't do X, Y, or Z." For me, library work is a labor of love. I don't expect to become rich at it. I have been known to commute long distances for part-time jobs with no benefits. I think in our line of work, in our current economy, those who are open to whatever comes down the road will be the most marketable and valuable employees. I think it also behooves you to keep an eye on library job announcements and watch for trends that define areas you might want to gain skills in. In my area, I have noticed over the last year or two of watching the job announcements that most of them are looking for bilingual librarians. As a result, besides graduate classes, I am also taking Spanish classes. People sometimes shake their heads at all I am doing, and call me crazy, but I want to give myself the best chances of being hired for my dream job when I graduate. How about you? Denise Sharp currently works full-time as a Library Technician at the Bonneville Power Administration Library and on-call as Telephone Reference for the Beaverton City Library in Oregon. She is an SLIM student in Emporia State University's distance program and hopes to graduate in 2006. ======== *** Need some encouragement on writing for publication? http://www.lisjobs.com/pub4lib/ ======== Unexpectedly Unemployed by Tanzi Merritt (tanzi.merritt@kctcs.edu) Unemployment is scary and frustrating on its own, but finding yourself unexpectedly unemployed creates an additional set of anxieties and worries. It's unfortunate, but the world of libraries is not immune to the corporate phenomenon of downsizing. Any number of factors can lead to good workers finding themselves dismissed. Hopefully you will never find yourself either unemployed or downsized, but, if you do, there are some things to remember that will make the process of charting a new path for yourself a bit easier. Hearing the Bad News When an organization's health is so poor that layoffs are on the horizon, you may be lucky enough to know what's coming ahead of time, and have some time to prepare. There are times, however, when a layoff comes as a complete surprise. The emotions that you face are not that different than those you would face if you were dismissed. You will likely feel frightened, especially if your savings are small. If you are fired rather than downsized, you additionally suffer a blow to your self-esteem and confidence. The most important thing to remember is that intelligent, capable people do get fired. This does not necessarily mean that you are a poor worker, or that you are not bright or knowledgeable enough to do the job. If you were dismissed after a probationary period, it could be that you and the organization just didn't "fit," and you could do the same job in another organization with a different culture and succeed. It's also possible, especially for those new to the field or changing specializations, that you need additional education in a particular area. Take what you have learned from the experience and use it to help you find an even better position. If you are dismissed from an organization where you have worked for a while, take a long, hard look at your performance and attitude. Were you burnt out, or did you no longer feel challenged? Both of these feelings can result in a decline in performance. It could be time for a change in specialization, library type, or even field. If you've been unhappy in your position, you might even feel a bit relieved at the same time that you experience more negative emotions. This just might be the push that you needed to start making a needed change. In some cases, you might be the victim of internal politics - again, dismissal does not always reflect on your work. What Next? In an unscientific poll of friends and acquaintances, the most common suggestion for your first step is to take a break. Take a day or two to pamper yourself and get some extra rest. You are undoubtedly stressed about your situation; the most stressful part, the job search, is still to come. Give yourself a few days to work through your feelings of failure and fear and prepare yourself for the hunt. (The most frightening aspect of losing a position for me was telling my parents, who were petrified that I might move back in with them. Once I got past that moment, the rest was easy - I didn't move back home, by the way!) Now that you are feeling rested and have stopped beating yourself up, it is time to start planning for the near future. If you have been smart and saved that recommended three months' salary, you are to be commended. Often, though, librarians are starting out with a student loan balance higher than their first year's salary, and may not have as much saved as needed. Where are you going to get money? Think about whether you need to get a temporary job outside of libraries, or maybe you can work out a loan from your rich Uncle Eddie. I cashed in a small IRA that had stopped growing, and that kept me above water for the two months that I was unemployed. Fear of running out of money is probably one of your strongest emotions right now, but remember, there are options. Now is also a good time to assess your skills and interests. Is there a skill that you would like to add to your repertoire? Take a class, if possible. This will be especially helpful if you think that you would like to pursue another specialization. Have you wanted to go back to school and get another degree? Maybe this is the time to go for it. If you felt burnt out in your last position because you'd been doing the same thing for a long time, it might be time to consider changing careers completely. No one said you had to be a librarian forever, and no one said that if you do something else for a while that you can't come back. A total change may be just the thing that you need to reenergize and recommit to the profession. Additionally, if you've been thinking about moving across the country or to the other side of the world, you could do it now. Focus your job search on the place you want to live, or go ahead and move there if you can. Once you get there, take a temporary position while searching for something permanent. You might land a great job in your dream city, and you will already be relocated. Many libraries prefer local candidates, and being in the area could give you one up on some of the competition. How to Talk About It One worry is that of how to address your situation in an interview. If you were laid off due to budget issues, you've got an easy answer. If not, explaining the gap in your employment can be tricky. It may be enough to say that you didn't feel that the institution was a good fit for you, or that you were ready to move on and take on new challenges. If you have moved, explain that you wanted to live in your new area. I decided that, since I was looking for a new job, I might as well move to the city where my boyfriend (now fiancé) was living. Maybe you will take some time to spend with family. While I was unemployed, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I felt extremely lucky that I was able to be free and available at any time to help her out. There are many ways to put a positive spin on your situation. Now, go out and find your dream job! And remember, many great people face unexpected unemployment, but a good number of them move into a better position than the one that they lose. Tanzi Merritt is the Associate Director of Library and Information Services at Gateway Community and Technical College in Northern Kentucky. She can be reached at tanzi.merritt@kctcs.edu. ======== *** Love the newsletter? Make a PayPal donation to its upkeep: https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=rachel%40lisjobs.com ======== Personal Interests and Organizational Needs: A Balancing Act by Sally Gibson (SallyGibson@creighton.edu) After library school, I bounced around, holding three different jobs in four years. In 2000, I interviewed for a library position which I considered to be my dream job. The library, though, selected someone else, and I was very disappointed. However, this forced me to consider my current situation, where I wanted to be in the future, and the steps I needed to take to get there. I realized that I had learned new skills with each job and had started projects, but that I had not stayed long enough to completely implement any of the initiatives. On the surface, my resume did not have much substance. At the same time, my boss told me that I needed to change or shape my current job to better fit my interests. She realized that I was not happy in my position, and I had two options: I could find a new job, or I could transform my current job into one that I wanted. The statement struck me as odd. I understood what she was saying, but her approach did not consider the needs of the organization. I think a better philosophy is to learn how to balance the needs of the organization with your personal interests, goals, and ambitions. A cataloger, for example, cannot just announce one day that she is now a reference librarian - but she can ask for additional reference responsibilities and offer to fill in on the desk when needed. Building Balance In order to achieve this balance between your needs and the needs of the organization, it is important to understand how the library operates, your role in the organization, potential growth areas, and how you can use various opportunities to accomplish your professional goals. Examine where you want to be and the means you can utilize to get there. The first step is to develop an understanding of the big picture. Take time to learn how your library's departments interact. What are the priorities of each department? What are they accomplishing now, and what would they like to accomplish in the future? How can you contribute? Most libraries are understaffed, and they are willing to let interested people assume different responsibilities. New ideas or projects mean more work, and, in order to accomplish new objectives, someone must tackle the tasks. If you are interested in a new project, then find ways to contribute. You also need to be able to explain how your expertise would be of value. In some cases, just having an interest in the idea is not enough - especially if the new project is part of a different department. You will need to be able to convince the administration that this project is something that you should and are qualified to work on. Planning Ahead At the same time, consider your long-term career plans. Where do you want to be in five or ten years? How will you get there? What are some possible options or paths? How will you benefit from the different opportunities presented? Will they assist in achieving your goals? Understanding your needs and the needs of the organization will help maximize the benefits to both. Volunteer for short-term projects if you do not plan to stay in your current situation for very long. This way, you will have the opportunity to see a project through from beginning to end. People can often talk about the start of a given project, but potential employers are also interested in the outcome. Many library opportunities do not have a defined ending date, so it is also important to participate in some with achievable short-term goals. Keep your eyes open for unexpected opportunities and agree to participate in new initiatives. This will convey the image that you are willing to tackle a variety of projects, and that philosophy will be remembered down the road. Maintain a manageable workload. Get a realistic picture of the amount of work you can handle; you do not want to take on too much or make a poor contribution. Moving On In 2000, I began a new job as a reference librarian. I accepted the job because it would provide me with the skills and experience I needed, skills which would have allowed me to land the dream job that I had interviewed for earlier in the year. There were five people in the department, and three of the librarians had been there over fifteen years. I assumed that I would be the newest librarian for a very long time. I would joke that I did everything that no one else wanted to do; I was constantly handed a variety of projects, and co-workers came to consider me as the person to ask. Two years later, the electronic resources librarian left, and I was asked to assume those responsibilities. I then managed the electronic journals during the serials librarian's leave of absence. I did not anticipate any of these events, but I had laid the groundwork to show that I was someone who would tackle new responsibilities and could handle new challenges. The result was that opportunities were created for me, and I was able to learn new skills and develop expertise in different areas. At this point in my career planning, I have a firm idea of where I want to go. I am open to new opportunities and I have chosen to remain flexible in how I will achieve my goals. I am comfortable with the career philosophy of balancing the needs of the organization with my personal interests, goals, and ambition. At times it is a delicate balance, but in the end I have benefited from recognizing both my needs and the needs of my library. Sally Gibson is the Serials & Electronic Resources Librarian at Creighton University's Reinert/Alumni Library. She has held this position since September 2004. ======== *** Have technology responsibilities in your library? Check out The Accidental Systems Librarian! Information and links online at http://www.lisjobs.com/tasl/ . ======== The Path Never Intended by Chrissie Anderson Peters (avoca_cia@yahoo.com) It was never my dream, goal, or interest to work in a library. When I was in college, I seldom used the library for anything other than for occasional research - or as a social spot to meet up with friends before going elsewhere. My first jobs out of college (in 1993) were at a homeless shelter and a local deli - not long-term career goals. Meanwhile, I had applied for a part-time position at our local public library. During summers at home from college, I had taken my little sister to the library for their summer reading program, and found a renewed passion in reading for fun. I had rekindled my appreciation of this same brick building from where I had received my very first library card, a magical tool that opened doors to unexplored worlds from age eight through adolescence. The library called and asked me to come in for an interview, then made an offer later that week. I found myself assisting in reference, circulation, planning and implementing children's programs, doing bulletin boards, and "other duties as necessary." I loved serving the public, but was constantly at odds with the branch supervisor and her non-approach to managing the facility and staff. The one big thing that I learned in that first position was what kind of supervisor I never wanted to be. I was exposed to several different aspects of library work, but that was the one thing that really stuck with me. I didn't want to be the kind of supervisor or co-worker who brought my problems to work and took them out on others. I vowed to keep that realization near and dear, regardless of where I might land. Let the Wild Rumpus Begin After about two years, I moved to a larger locale, where I landed a position as a church programs coordinator. Six months later, the pastor informed me that the church wasn't certain that it could afford this new position, so I took to the want ads - and found exactly one library listing. I was offered that circulation assistant position, which I did full- time for six months. It had benefits - which the church job had not - but the pay was substantially lower. I had to work part-time as a telemarketer to supplement my income. My experience in this public library was totally different. Our director was personable, friendly, and genuinely helpful. He talked to me about pursuing the MLS someday, explaining the doors that might open when and if I decided to do so. To this day, I still consider him a dear friend; he never once made me feel stupid or insignificant and always took time to explain professional matters. After six months, though, I applied for a full-time position at a local private college's library. I landed that job, only to learn that the benefits really were not as good as what I had at the public library. So, I continued to work in the public library part- time, while working in the academic setting full-time. I wanted to take classes and could do so for free at the college - if I could ever get out from under my bills enough to cut back on the part-time job and have time to enroll. The year spent at the college library was an enlightening one, to say the least. "Enlightening" is not necessarily a synonym for "happy" or "fulfilling." That year was the toughest I've endured emotionally and mentally - possibly even physically, as the stress and strain from working in two radically different environments began to take its toll after only a few months. The college environment left me numb and frequently in the path of some professor or co-worker's rage. My one true respite was the twenty student assistants that I supervised each semester. I gained invaluable experience training and mentoring and forming bonds with them that went beyond the hours we spent together working and learning from each other during those evenings. I learned a lot that year as the evening circulation supervisor - I did ILL, managed most of the course reserves, and took care of things as the only staff member in the library from 7:00PM-midnight. The rigid academic environment did not suit me well at all, however. I longed to find another library job in the area, but there seemed to be nothing available for someone without an MLS. First Professional Position So, I left to accept a professional-level position in a county library system approximately 35 minutes away. As their new youth services librarian, I beat out four people with the MLS because of my varied library background. In the time that I spent there, I had so many incredible experiences that I cannot even begin to list them all. I started new programs, created a youth services newsletter, and took part in a three-person collection development committee responsible for using a $1 million opening day collection budget for several expanded/new locations coming into our library system. I was encouraged to join and take part in professional organizations, including our state library association. I was named to the Library of Virginia's Youth Advisory Council and worked for two years on creating the Summer Reading Program manual used across the Commonwealth of Virginia. When I tendered my resignation over 2.5 years later, I knew that it was time for me to go, but I also realized that I had gained so much priceless experience there that I could certainly make it in the profession. Besides, I was leaving to pursue my MSIS through the University of Tennessee's new distance education online cohort. One Step Forward and How Many Steps Back? I proceeded with what was supposed to be a fairly lateral move in a public library system that crossed state lines, one location in Bristol, Virginia, and one in Bristol, Tennessee. To say that this was an odd arrangement is an understatement. Add to that the fact that the director under whom I interviewed left (at the board's request) less than two weeks after I was offered the job; the fact that my first paycheck reflected not a lateral move at all, but instead a twelve percent decrease in pay, and I had nothing in writing to back up what I had been promised; and that the new Director hired in a few months later decided to rearrange everything I had been promised upon coming to work there. You can probably imagine that I felt like I had taken several steps backward in leaving my previous position. The new library system was supportive of my classes, though, and worked with my challenging schedule very diligently. I was able to work on some homework on the job and learned to cater class assignments to things that pertained to work, allowing me to do even more of my homework on the clock. Perhaps the most important thing I learned in this position was patience. I had to learn to be patient and to find ways of making my work there more appropriate, more exciting, and more rewarding in order to shut out the feelings of resentment that I frequently felt there. Living in Paradise It was with great trepidation that I went to an interview with a community college in July 2001. I recalled only too well how unhappy I had been in the only other academic environment I'd worked in. I remembered the frustration with being told that I couldn't do things simply because I didn't have a Masters degree. And, although I desperately wanted out of the situation I was in at the public library, I was also terrified of being professionally brow-beaten again in another academic setting. It didn't take long for me to realize that this environment would not be like the other college library had been, though. The Director had been a public library director for six years and was married to a public library director. He understood my strengths in public services and seemed quite eager to put them to work in the community college setting. I jumped at the offer set before me a few days later. I have now been at the library at Northeast State Community College for 3.5 years. I have the best colleagues and the best director/dean in the world; I have the best job in the universe. I'm given permission to succeed, but also permission to try things and fail. My director says, "Hey, you never know until you try." I finished my master's degree in December 2002, by which time I had begun a monthly newsletter for the library and implemented two new programs to better serve the campus and surrounding community. Since then, we've branched out to a third series of public programs and have recently hosted author Sharyn McCrumb and NASCAR President Mike Helton at library-sponsored programs. I have also partnered with the early childhood education department on campus and do monthly storytimes at five child care centers (with which NSCC partners in a federal grant called Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS)). I work with the Imagination Library program in each of the counties served by NSCC, and help coordinate registrations of the children of staff, faculty, and students, as well as serving on the Council of the Sullivan County Imagination Library. I cannot imagine being any happier or more fulfilled than I am at NSCC, and hope to stay in this wonderful place for years to come. I know that I am making a difference, and I know that the difference comes from the path I've taken since 1993 when I started working in my hometown library system. The path I never intended to take ended up fitting my needs and abilities, for which I am eternally grateful. Chrissie Anderson Peters is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where she was a distance education student. A member of the Tennessee Library Association, the Virginia Library Association, ALSC, NMRT, and YALSA, she is a Librarian for Northeast State Community College in Blountville, TN. Her community involvement includes active participation with the Sullivan County Imagination Library program, as well as recent activities with People United for Animals (PUFA), a local animal advocacy group. Her passions include writing, music, reading, traveling, her "children" (the feline kind -- Mel, Reid, Xander, Willow, Ella, Lance, and Mariel), and spending as much time as possible with her husband Russell, who makes her life a joy each day. Chrissie's recent "big thrills" include having a chapter included in Priscilla Shontz's The Librarian's Career Guidebook (Scarecrow, 2004), as well as lending some research assistance and being mentioned by name in Sharyn McCrumb's latest novel, St. Dale (Kensington, 2005). ======== *** Find yourself with management responsibilities? Check out The Accidental Library Manager! http://www.lisjobs.com/talm/ ======== What's Online? Recommended Resources Advancement For Support Staff (ALA) http://www.ala.org/ala/hrdrbucket/3rdcongressonpro/advancementsuppor t.htm OR http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q5E8329FA Talks about paraprofessionals' concerns about advancement, plateauing, and need for alternative career paths. Become a Librarian! http://www.becomealibrarian.org New Jersey's enthusiastic site about our career and its possibilities. Library Supporter http://librarysupporter.blogspot.com A new blog addressing issues confronting library support staff and providing career resources and discussion. LISCareer.com's Career Planning Section http://www.liscareer.com/careerplanning.htm A number of short articles on various aspects of the theme. NewBreed Librarian: Interview with Jim Sheppke http://www.newbreedlibrarian.org/archives/02.01.feb2002/interview2.h tml OR http://makeashorterlink.com/?F2F8629FA About opportunities in the profession and how to take advantage. Ten Graces for New Librarians by GraceAnne DeCandido http://www.well.com/user/ladyhawk/albany.html The text of a 1996 SUNY/Albany commencement speech. ======== *** Professional development opportunities: http://librarycareers.blogspot.com ======== But I Want To Hold It In My Hand! Print Resources Gorman, Michael. Our Own Selves: More Meditations for Librarians. Chicago: ALA Editions, 2005. ISBN 0838908969, $28.00. Purchase from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0838908969/librarisjobsearc/ Michael Gorman is the incoming ALA President. This is his second book on the "meditations" theme, following Our Enduring Values: Librarianship in the 21st Century (ALA Editions, 2000). It is split into ten sections, each containing ten subsections. Each is introduced by a quotation, followed by Gorman's reflections on the topic, and then concluded with a brief resolution along the lines of "I will seek to understand the implications of technological change" or "I will understand the purpose of things and value them for what they are." These words might sound trite or cloying in the hands of a lesser writer, but Gorman's erudition and decades of passionate interaction with libraries give his reflections depth and wisdom. The title will be useful to both novice and accomplished librarians. Of particular note to recent readers of Gorman's work will be his meditation on blogs, page 207, which may look familiar. Jessamyn West runs the web site librarian.net and lives in rural Vermont. ======== Info Career Trends is copyright Lisjobs.com and Rachel Singer Gordon. Permission is granted to forward this newsletter in its entirety as long as the contents remain unchanged and this copyright message is included. For permission to reprint articles in this newsletter, contact the individual authors. If no author is listed, contact editor@lisjobs.com. If you find this newsletter useful, please consider becoming a voluntary subscriber for $10(USD)/year. Donations are accepted via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=rachel%40lisjobs.com Or, send a check or money order made out to Rachel Gordon to: PO Box 6931, Villa Park, IL 60181. To subscribe to Info Career Trends, send an e-mail message to imailsrv@lisjobs.com. 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