My Short Life (so far) as a Librarian

...or "Keys, Lasers, and Fifth Graders."

I usually avoid personal posts on this blog, or should I say I try to avoid making posts simply about experiences in my life.  This is a change from olden days, but that's a choice I made.  Boring as it may be...  But in this case, I know my experiences of the week (and most particularly of today) would be of interest to some of the followers of this blog, and have decided to write a quick entry on the subject.

I must confess, I have always loved libraries.  Actually, I love anyplace where there are a large collection of books, whether that be a book store, a library, an archive, a repository...  ok, I'm just pulling words out now, as I can only think of two places I have commonly been where there were a large amount of books.  Book stores and libraries.  But I do love them both.

And so it may be no surprise that I would jump at the chance to become a librarian - err, excuse me, a library staff assistant - at a local elementary school.  Wait, did he just say elementary school?  Yes indeed.  I have aspired to be a secondary or higher-level educator, but the opportunity to take a part time position with an elementary school came available, and I jumped at it.  Beggars can't be choosers, after all.

And this week I began my new job.  It has been an interesting, and in some way exhausting, but thoroughly satisfying week.

"Mark my words, some day they will have books on zombies and nerdy kids who fight them in our public school libraries, Vivian."  I actually saw one book today come through circulation that wasn't "pop" kid fiction.  But hey, at least they are reading!  Oh, and for the sake of argument, Google "school librarian" and look through the images that come up.  If you spot a male librarian in the first fifty pictures, you've got better eyes than I do. / Source: FlavorWire.com

Book Review: Animal Farm

The review I promised in my last entry?  Well here it is.  This one has been sitting in my notes file for quite awhile.  And in almost 100% complete form too.  What does that say about my commitment level?  You figure it out, either way.

Oh, and as a side note, I received my diploma for my bachelors degree in the mail yesterday.  Or as I like to call it, my receipt for aprox $20,000 worth of education.  Boy, I should be a bright guy now.  One can only wonder...

Source: Amazon.com

Animal Farm, by George Orwell

From the book’s cover:

This is a classic tale of humanity awash in totalitarianism. A farm is taken over by its overworked, mistreated animals. With flaming idealism and stirring slogans, they set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. First published during the epoch of Stalinist Russia, today it is clear that wherever and whenever freedom is attacked, and under whatever banner, the cutting clarity and savage comedy of Orwell's masterpiece is a message still ferociously fresh.

Bet you were thinking...

...now why don't he write?  Stole and paraphrased that from the film: Dances With Wolves.  Yes, creativity on my part has been in short supply lately.  In fact, I had a hard time even remembering what my login was for this blog.

Unfortunately, this post will not be a great representation of my creative works either.  I guess I'm leaving an entry here just to see if I still remember how.

A small, semi-personal update on my life might be in order.  I finished college in late August.  I made it through a quite arduous math course, got my worst grade of my college career (a C+), and have been in a holding pattern ever since.  I think I may be mid-life crisis-ing, but the good thing about those is that they can only last just so long.  After all, I'll only be "mid-life" for just so long.

No, I'm not going to expound on my troubles, so don't worry.  I just need to get a better job and, in the process, get my head right.  But I am working on it.  And having faith.

In the meantime, I thought I'd post a quick Thoughts.  It has been so long since I typed anything other than a resume or filled in a job application, I figured I ought to try it out and see if I still remembered how to use the keyboard for other things.