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18/05/2005
I Got The Job.
I got the job!
I'm exhausted from all the excitement. I'm starting to feel like it's real, it's actually going to happen. And I don't care if it turns into a strange workplace, I'll just be able to have paid holidays. I counted it up and realised it's been 5 years since I've had a paid holiday. Too long. Glad to be back in.
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11/05/2005
Not Really Interested Anymore
And here I was thinking when I started this project that I'd never run out of things to say about libraries. I now feel that even thought I might continue to find stories of various sorts it would mostly be rehashing material I've already covered. I have learned more about my own connection with libraries through doing this blog. I love libraries, and will always have some connection. I will always recommend that people use libraries. I won't recommend that anyone trains for a library career.
My main points in this blog:
The bottom has dropped out of the library industry.
Too many library staff can't or won't promote library services.
Too many managers are short sighted about the value of information and therefore won't commit funds.
Too many library staff can't or won't promote library services (in order to stem the rot).
Too many librarians treat technicians with disrespect.
Too many managers treat librarians and technicians with disrespect.
If you work in a library there are (sometimes strange) ways to cope without a budget and still provide services.
Contracting is hell. The companies know that the bottom has dropped out and so they can get away with offering less pay and still no pay for leave of any sort. Only someone desperate does library contracting.
Some library systems are crap. Always go with a native marc system.
People should never work in a small library unless they are multiskilled. And that includes understanding cataloguing.
Don't catalogue unless you intend to follow standards. Basic standards are fine, no standards are not.
Small libraries usually suffer from Small Library Syndrome, very different problems to large libraries.
I think gov dept libraries are probably worse off than anyone.
If you are thinking of studying for a career don't do libraries unless you're a masochist. There just isn't enough work out there.
btw, I did ask my lib'n about deleting holdings for weeded material from the national database and she said it costs too much to search for them. This from the woman who today said we should return all our ILLs by registered post because one cranky lib'n in another library is hassling her about an overdue.
And the interview went well and I know I've been short listed because my referees told me they had been called for references. I'll probably post here if I get the job.
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05/05/2005
Job Interview
I have a job interview for a library technician position on Monday. Wish me luck! My daughter keeps getting excited, but I'm not. I'm satisfied that I got an interview because that means my application was good. I'm not excited because they will probably have lots of applications. Stiff competition. It's for the position where the union was brought in to look at how the job was classified so they must have resolved it quickly. We'll just wait to see how this works out.
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04/05/2005
I Know I'm Avoiding It
Yes that's right, I haven't asked madame about deleting holdings from the national database for material she's weeding. I grabbed the remaining books out of the box and deleted the holdings myself but she hasn't done any more weeding so that's my justification. She's not weeding, she's not making a mess. If she starts up again I'll force myself to say something. I promise. Really.
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03/05/2005
Library Jobs
I'm finding myself running into people I haven't seen for a while. Inevitably we talk about employment and employment prospects. Everyone is feeling the pinch. Yesterday a friend who works part time casual in 2 separate library jobs because she can't get enough work in either. Today a friend who took some time off to travel to another city to see if could settle there and had to come back because she couldn't get a library job in 3 months. They were both horrified to find out I've been working for a year and I don't have paid holidays coming up. The whole thing about working contract and not getting paid leave is that you are suppose to be getting more money than other people in the industry to make up. Then you can save ahead for your hols. I don't get paid more than others. I get paid less. No one would work under these conditions unless they were desperate. And I guess that's me.
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02/05/2005
Peaceful At Work
Madame was away today. Peaceful, friendly people visiting the library and seeming to feel comfortable chatting with me! Got plenty done, lovely relaxed day.
Didn't have to think about the weeding mess up. Tomorrow will do, if she shows up.
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