...spotted this gem in Cataloguing yesterday - so I nicked it for the day - and wowsers am really liking it. What is it? Glad you asked, it's 'I can't keep my own secrets: six-word memoirs by teens famous & obscure' and is edited by Smith Magazine. I'd already read 'Not quite what I was planning: six-word memoirs by writers famous and obscure' edited by Rachel Fershleiser and Larry Smith - an adult version of the teen one.
You'll find everything from the funny to the sad to the ridiculous to the moving and everywhere in between. Here's a quick sample:
- Jesus saves, my ass. Comma justified. by Hali H.
- Couldn't sing so played the drums by Rachel M.
- Making paper cranes, need the luck by Zoe K.
A lot of our staff are briefly reviewing books for our website. OH JOY. That's not sarcasm. I really am chuffed - it's just that I'm alwys so cynical it's hard to tell the difference. But OH JOY.
If you don't already do so...work in the branches. That's it. Seriously. That's my only suggestion - work at least - AT LEAST - one day a week/fortnight/month in a branch library.
Why? Practical experience. Nothing beats it. And maybe it'll give you some insight as to why staff are skeptical about new policies, revised policies, ditching old policies, events or activities that do nothing to promote collections, pricing changes and everything else in between.
I never want to forget how to check in/check out a book, shelve and/or talk books with customers and answering reference enquiries. What I could have done without, as a library assistant, are purchase orders, banking, quarterly reports, rosters and even training staff.
Query: would an admin assistant per branch alleviate a lot of the non-core chores such as those listed above?
Answer: dunno, but I like the idea of it.