what not to do in a job interview
As a library manager, I regularly hire new library workers in entry-level positions -- library assistants who work on a casual, on-call basis. When permanent positions open up, casuals are…
my working life
it was the best of times, it was the worst of times: a tale of one library manager on two consecutive days
This started out as a "things i heard at the library" post, but it got too complicated. Instead, it's a story about my life as the manager of a public…
"i’m afraid to leave the house, because i’ll hear about another death": the ongoing crises and the toll on frontline workers
The branch supervisor of the Port Hardy Librarymade these, on her own initiative. We have givenaway more than 50 of these “crisis keychains” so far.Front and back pictured here. The…
"i’m afraid to leave the house, because i’ll hear about another death": the ongoing crises and the toll on frontline workers
The branch supervisor of the Port Hardy Librarymade these, on her own initiative. We have givenaway more than 50 of these "crisis keychains" so far.Front and back pictured here.The Port…
five years on: reflections on the big life change
The Port Hardy skylineSince starting this blog in 2004, I've experienced three Big Life Changes. The first, of course, was emigrating to Canada. The second was becoming a librarian. More…
five years on: reflections on the big life change
The Port Hardy skyline Since starting this blog in 2004, I’ve experienced three Big Life Changes. The first, of course, was emigrating to Canada. The second was becoming a librarian.…
in which i inadvertently discover a downside to working at home
I’ve always loved working at home. I loved it when I first started writing fiction and working as a freelance proofreader in 1985, and I loved it even more when…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
holden caulfield, ponyboy curtis, and my teen book club
“Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.” Recognize it? For me it’s one of the most memorable final sentences ever written. I just finished re-reading…
in which my annual noncelebration of christmas causes my jewish cultural roots to reappear, a tiny bit
Two years ago, wmtc’s annual “i hate christmas” post declared: “i hate christmas is slightly less hateful this year“. Working in the library, as opposed to an office environment, I…
what i do, what i miss, and what are they thinking: answers to the question, "what do you do?"
When we moved to Canada (nine years plus a few days ago), I wondered what, if anything, I would miss about the US. Who would have guessed it would be…
whither wmtc
I feel so disconnected from this blog, and from writing in general. I hate it. I love having this blog. I love that when I do want to write, and…
march break for teens at our library
I’ve just finished my first March Break (the Canadian equivalent of Spring Break in the US) in my new position as a youth librarian. It was exhilarating and a lot…
i am really a librarian: in which i attend my first ola, and get paid for it, too
For the next three days, I’ll be attending the Ontario Library Association’s annual Superconference, always referred to simply as “OLA”. As the name implies, this is a gigantic conference covering…
things i heard at the library: an occasional series: #12
I’m enjoying my new position so much! Things are going really well so far. I’m preparing for teen book club, researching display ideas, and planning some (I hope) interesting programs.…
i am a youth librarian. this is a good thing.
I am so excited about my new position! As I mentioned, I am now a librarian in the Mississauga Central Library’s “Readers’ Den” department. It is a full-time position, and…