Day in the Life: Liveblogging
Really, that's pretty much how it started, minus the Paul McCartney narration. I like the idea of this meme because it will make me more mindful of how I use my time today.
Today I put on a lady dress, in anticipation of meeting with our city's well-kempt grant writer. All my other looks-credible attire is more for fall and winter, so now I am wearing a nice, above-the-knee linen sheath dress, which will prevent me from sitting yoga-style at the ref desk. But, dang, I look pretty good.
8:30-8:45--Arrived at work, entered my status on digital whiteboard, gathered some notes and legal pad, then left to meet with city grantwriter/development guy to talk about writing an RFP for the library to become a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection. Grant writer is very excited about the prospect of having easy access to the Foundation Center's online database and will happily write a letter of support for the RFP. It was also good to get out of the office and made me realize that I should be networking in the community a little bit more.
10:15--Stopped by Co-op to grab some lunch stuff when I realized that I'd left a beautiful pasta salad on the counter at home.
10:30--Back in office. Logged into computer & checked phone messages (2). Sorted through pile on desk to check for unfinished ref questions and for stuff I don't need. Looked at intranet and Incident Reporting System (IRS). Hooray! No incidents between last night and this morning. Amazing what a quiet place it is when there are no patrons. Responded to a couple emails.
11:00--Talked to boss lady about next year's materials budget (and about bringing spanikopita to her house this weekend). Reported to her about meeting with grant guy and updated her on where I am in the process. Started Day in the Life post.
11:2-noon--Responded to back-up call at busy ref desk. Hunted down source of loud audio coming from computer headphone 15 ft away. What I am learning is that most people are not used to having an actual knob for volume on a keyboard and choose to let audio blast rather than ask for help in turning it down. Even the bright orange sticker with + and - and directional arrow on the knobs don't seem to help much. My aural sensitivity does not serve me well in a lively, well-used library.
1-5 pm--Reference desk.
- Trying to pick out fabrics & finishes for new office set.
- Explained what email was to a guy who only wanted to play Spades on Pogo.com. Pogo requires registration to play, I guess.
- Helped woman find phone for her public defender while she told me about living at Salvation Army and losing custody of her daughter to her crazy mother. Sad.
- Tried to convince fellow that 973.03 and 973.3 are really and truly different numbers. Then I told him that libraries are really hard to use and not to feel bad about asking for help. And to please not reshelve the 973.03s into the 973.3s.
- Several phone/address look-ups
ThreeFourSix "please turn volume downs"- Helped autistic boy find book about mermaids, because we didn't have anything age appropriate about Michael Jackson (young patron does not need to know about vitiglio, sleepovers and Jesus Juice).
- Several computer log-in assists.
- A book pull or two.
- Finally picked finishes and fabrics for desk set.
- Confirmed sighting of notorious trouble-maker who isn't supposed to be here.
- Helped Crossword Lady: Peer Gynt (dancer)
- Used Reader's Guide Retro to verify and ILL
- Listened to patron's ongoing job search saga. I helped him set up email for his online apps. He's getting the hang of it.
- Let patron use my computer to do a quick print-out
- Was happy to see Miss14 show up at ref desk. We're going to Farmer's Market right after work.
- Ladies and gentlemen, the library is now closed.
