in which my library career takes another step forward
I am very pleased to announce that I’ve landed my first full-time librarian gig! It’s a temporary position, for six months, in the “Readers’ Den” Department of the Mississauga Central…
my working life
things i heard at the library: an occasional series: #11
Customer: “Hi, can I print from a USB here? My printer at home isn’t working.” Me: Customer: “I just want to print from my USB.” Me:
dirty wars: an important movie, marred by nationalism
Last night we watched “Dirty Wars,” investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill’s documentary film exposing the United States’ covert, lethal, extra-governmental operations around the globe. It’s an important film. Depending on your…
how to pursue something you don’t really want
Since the day I decided to go to graduate school and change my career(s), my mind has reeled with questions about the future. When will I be able to quit…
simon says, grumpy bird, and an evil witch: summer reading club begins
Summer is the busiest time of year in the Central Children’s Library. Actually, we are wildly busy any time school is out; the summer is just the most sustained period…
things i heard at the library: an occasional series: # 9, or why this new librarian found the reference desk a little scary
In this post, I described doing reference as “a bit scary,” and Impudent Strumpet asked why. I started to write an answer, ran out of time, then found myself on…
my life at the children’s library so far (plus happy birthday to me)
What a difference it makes when you enjoy going to work. What a difference when you don’t dread your job. Wow! This is what I’ve done in my new position…
in which i remember what big life change feels like
Even though I’m following several important news stories – from the revelations about the massive NSA domestic spying campaign to the slow-motion implosion of the Conservative Party of Canada to…
in which i enjoy my first day as a librarian, and explain something about library work
Yesterday was my first day as a librarian! And it was great! I’m only doing orientation and training right now, but I can tell how much I’m going to enjoy…
in which i officially become a librarian
We interrupt this travelogue to bring you an important announcement. I got my first librarian job!! This is a part-time, temporary position in the children’s department of the Central Library,…
things i heard at the library: an occasional series: # 6
This is my first unhappy “things i heard at the library” post. Today I saw a child being abused. It happened so fast, it was over and the parent gone…
corporate greenwashing and the myth of consumer sovereignty
One of the wonderful things about no longer working for Evil Corporate Law Firm – and there are so many! – is no longer contributing to a firm that represents…
now it can be told: why i have hated my job for the last four years
This is a post I’ve been waiting to write for years. I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster for the past few days. While the War Resisters Support Campaign was…
things i heard at the library: an occasional series: # 5
“Where can I find book number 285?” The boy’s face was so earnest and so excited. “What book are you looking for?” I asked. “Book number 285.” “Is that the…
things i heard at the library: an occasional series: # 4
“Oh man, you gotta read these books! These books are the best! They’re not even really books. There are pictures! And jokes! And they’re really, really funny! And they’re super…
why unions? would you rather have input into your working conditions, or not?
I’ve never understood why so many working people have it in for unions. I understand why employers don’t want unions: unions give workers input into their own working conditions. A…
things i heard at the library: an occasional series: # 3
“What are you doing?” “Putting books away.” “Why are you doing that?” “So people can find them later.” “Do you have any books about fishing?” “Books on fishing… let’s see.…