"at your library" in the north island eagle: summer reading club is back
Summer Reading Club is back! Register your child today. Can you believe it’s June already? The days are long, the kids are restless, and summer is in the air. Whether…
becoming a librarian
"at your library" in the north island eagle: jobs and careers: we’ve got you covered
Jobs and Careers: We’ve Got You Covered Recently I had the pleasure of attending a career fair hosted by the Kwakiutl First Nation. I wasn’t there to convince anyone to…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: life lessons are found in all kinds of stories
At Your Library: What Should Your Child Read? “All my son wants to read are comics!” “I don’t approve of those zombie or vampire books. Kids should read something more…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: is your child ready to read?
In our local paper. At Your Library: Is Your Child Ready to Read? Kindergarten is a child’s introduction to school – but your children’s education begins long before they ever…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: column #1
I’m writing a library column for the local newspaper! I’m really excited about it. Everyone reads this free paper, so a column is an amazing opportunity to promote our services.…
things i heard at the library: an occasional series: #30
At the Port Hardy Library, we’ve been hosting visits from the local First Nations school, from the the Gwa’sala-Nakwaxda’xw Nations. (That is pronounced GWA-sala Nak-wah-da.) The children have been absolutely…
my first island off the island: a brief stop in sointula
This week I drove down to Port McNeill — about 30 minutes away, and the home of one of my libraries — and took the ferry to Malcolm Island, to…
home at last: three days between the end of training and the start of work
I am so happy to be home! I got home late Friday night and on Saturday gave myself a full day off from all devices. My last few days of…
week two of training and counting days to go home
It was wonderful to have Allan and Diego with me this weekend. The weather was “cold” — cold for the island, between -2 and +3 C — and wet, and…
training continues: another perspective on the lovely island
I’ve decided to stop referring to my new employer by its full name. The communications director already casually mentioned that he read one of my recent blog posts, because it…
the vancouver island report: two more days of training and on to campbell river
I’ve completed another two days of training and orientation. It’s been pretty awesome. In the past three days, I’ve had a tour of the Nanaimo Harbourfront branch, which is something…
first day of work braindump
I’ve just finished my first day of training and orientation at Vancouver Island Regional Library. I have a lot to report on! Much of this may be of interest only…
in which i say goodbye to cupe 1989 and mississauga library
Many friends and co-workers have said they’ll check this blog for updates on our drive west, our new town, my new work. Welcome and a disclaimer: when I travel, wmtc…
wmtc moves west
We are moving to Vancouver Island! As soon as I find a good library job there — which may be very soon — we are giving notice, packing up, and…
things i heard at the library: an occasional series: #29
It’s TIHATL, Summer Reading Club edition! Summer Reading Club is in full swing in Canadian libraries. In more than 2,100 libraries around Canada, kids are earning prizes and recognition for…
things i heard at the library: an occasional series: #28
With apologies to my man C. Dickens, it was the worst of customers, it was the best of customers. Our Children’s Department is short-staffed right now, and although that is…
from the 2018 cupe ontario library workers conference: libraries and the opioid crisis
I recently attended the CUPE Ontario Library Workers Conference, which has become a highlight of my year since I first attended (and was elected to the organizing committee) in 2015.…
things i heard at the library: an occasional series: #27
This is a scene played out every day in public libraries all across North America. I’m at the information desk, and I see a boy, by himself, a chubby little…
in which i achieve a career milestone
I am a Senior Librarian! It’s a position I have aspired to for quite a while. Although I love my current job as a youth librarian, I’ve been ready to…
things i heard at the library: an occasional series: #26
In library school, you learn that the most important part of the reference transaction, or reference interview, is asking questions. Customers, it seems, rarely know how to describe what they…