I am re-reading the works of Jane Austen.  Yes, I know.  The author many people love to hate and roll their eyes about. Because all she wrote about was courtship and marriage.  If read in the context of the times, however, one would soon discover that the only possible ways for a middle class woman (the gentry) to avoid poverty was to inherit wealth or to marry it.  Also,  let me just say that, after over 200 years since her birth, she is still being read, studied, filmed, and discussed.  So that, to me, accounts for a lot.

I am beginning with Sense and Sensibility and am always amazed by the freshness of the Austen's writing, the intricate and humorous scenes, the quirky characters, and the power of what is not said but rather implied.  The scenes between one of the heroines, Elinor Dashwood, and her rival, Lucy Steele, are hilarious.  Each one is trying to bait the other and observe reactions without losing their cool.  It’s classic Jane Austen.

And it also is amazing to me that she published only six completed novels though she died at age forty.  I have also read her “Minor Works” which included a wonderful epistolary novella, Lady Susan.  It was supposedly influenced by de Laclos’ Dangerous Liaisons so I read that right after finishing the former.  I could distinctly see what the critics were talking about.  Fascinating stuff to me, although I can just see my uncle rolling his eyes as he reads this.  (Or maybe he’s yawning?)

I am also re-viewing the recent PBS Masterpiece Theatre productions of her novels (which are now available in libraries).  First of all, the picture is a lot better than my fuzzy antenna (no cable) would allow, plus you pick up so much more upon second viewings.  I gained new appreciation for the newest productions of both Sense and Sensibility as well as Northanger Abbey.  The former was lushly filmed and very true to scenes of the novel (with exception of the controversial opening sex scene!) while the latter captured the humor and lightheartedness of Austen’s gothic parody of Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho.  Persuasion is next to watch.

I have one good friend who loves Austen as much as I do, so it’s nice to have someone to share this appreciation with.

Have a good day!

Some pretty bits of news to report.  Zine World reviewed two of my zines, The Detroit Project and Summer Girl issue #1, both to great reviews!   Time to finish work on my grandmother’s zine as well as issue #4 of SG.

I’ve been working almost daily at both my regular job and the sub job, so today is my first day all to myself in a few weeks.  The weather is cooperating so I will take advantage of it to do some cleaning up in the gardens, grocery shopping, a nice walk, & visiting a new knitting shop at the end of my street.

The library continues in its un-fun way, with the AD walking past me several times yesterday & not even saying “hello.”  It’s amazing. And rude.  Why can’t the workplace be a fun place?  I have so many plans & ideas if I ran the library my way.  A fun workplace makes for happy employees which in turn makes for happy patrons which makes for a library that people love to visit.  It’s not rocket science.

Last week, I asked the librarian who handles our tax forms if we could move the extension forms to the display rack since nobody was asking for them at the reference desk & her reply was, “I have to ask permission.”  Unbelievable!  Yet, we were told long ago in a librarians’ meeting that we were the “professionals” in our jobs and do not need to ask permission on how to do our jobs.  Yet, if we take initiative, immediately we are questioned & told we shouldn’t have done something, even though we’re professionals & know how to do our jobs.  Damned if we do, damned if we don’t!

I just roll my eyes in disgust and continue to do my job.  In fact, when I got to the library yesterday, the forms were gone, just as I was planning to put them in the display rack myself.  Turns out the librarian herself took the initiative and tossed them.  I wouldn’t have tossed them, but I’m glad she did something without “asking permission.”

Have a good day!

What I'm reading: Confessions of a Falling Woman by Debra Dean
What I'm listening to:  Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner

I just picked up 3 sub days at the other library, & they were so grateful for my help that I felt good.  These are short days, like 3-4 hours so it’s really very easy work for me.  It’s only reference desk work, my favorite!

They even needed me today but I have my “regular” job so I had to turn it down.  But, hey, I said “yes” to 3 times, and one is even on Mother’s Day!  I hope my mom understands that this is extra money for me.  (Besides, we’ll do something maybe the day before, just like last year!)

The spring-like weather continues here which is lovely, but also scary because it’s just too fast.  Trees and shrubs that don’t usually bloom until May are blooming now or very soon will be.

Have a great day, everyone!

What I’m listening to on my commute:  The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood.

So I’ve been working for several days in a row (sometimes 6) and I just decided to take a day off during the week.  Today is Monday and it feels great to be just doing what I want to do.  Be it reading, spring cleaning, shopping (at the Salvation Army, no less), or crocheting outside on my front porch with my cat.

Life is good.

I worked this past Saturday so today is my Sunday & yesterday (Sunday) was my Saturday.  Got it? Good.

What I’m reading:  The Book of Dahlia by Elisa Albert.

We had an obnoxiously loud program last night at the library called Drummunity, in which kids go crazy on drums. In any other normal library, they have an auditorium with doors so that the rest of the library is in peace.  But in this library there’s no such place.  So you could hear constant thumping for at least one full hour.  I am of the mind that libraries should be quiet, distinguished, & intelligent places where people do research and study seriously.  Which is why I want to get a job in an academic library, where people are adults and serious about their research and education.  I was so thinking this last night as each thump-thump was resonating in my head.  I probably sound like I don’t like kids, but I really just don’t get excited about them like a lot of normal women do.  This is also why I’m not a children’s librarian, even though I’ve been offered such jobs in the past.  I know my limitations.

Anyway, of course, the AD was there with her husband, lurking about to, no doubt, make sure that the very capable part-time children’s librarian did her job.  I swear the woman just can’t stand to let people do their jobs without putting her nose into it! 

Another example is what happened when I was on the desk yesterday afternoon.  Our tech guy was installing some software on our computer & the AD strolls over to the desk, comes behind us, says nothing then walks away.  I asked the tech guy, “Did you see that?”  He told me that she’s always checking to make sure that he’s actually doing work.  It’s so insulting.  My husband told me I should have asked her, “is there something you need?”  She probably would have been shocked that I even spoke to her.  I just can’t stand micromanagers & domineering bosses; she obviously has nothing better to do, like maybe our schedules for May, which we still don’t have??!

I seriously need to get a new job!

What I’m reading:  Villette by Charlotte Bronte.

Well, a week has passed & we finally got an “official memo” that Marian is no longer employed by the library and her last day was April 7^th.  We got this on Monday, April 14^th.  So, I guess it’s bye-bye Marian!

My perzine was reviewed in issue #25.5 of Zine World in March & somebody sent me a nice letter with a zine trade for a copy of Summer Girl.  Now I’m curious to know what exactly the review said; it can’t have been that bad if somebody wants it, right?  Zine World seems like a critical review source of zines so I was kind of nervous when I sent some zines for them to review last summer.

I subbed last night at the other library & was amazed at how relaxed and laid-back the atmosphere was.  The full-time librarian was so friendly & helpful; by the end of the evening, she was walking around in her stocking feet around the building!  My bosses would have had a heart attack & fired her on the spot.  I found it refreshing.  I’d love to find a job in a place so fun to work.

Spring has sprung here; we’re supposed to crack 70 degrees today & the sun in shining bright. 

Have a great day, everyone! 

Things have taken a turn for the weird.  Marian was “asked to resign” yesterday, and here I thought she'd just quit.  It was my day off so I heard from others about it.  There was no time for details as the bosses were around but I hope to learn more later.  In the words of Jane Austen, the whole thing was "badly done." (Emma).

I swear, some days I feel like I’m back in junior high and high school, with the people in “power” (or perceived power) bully those they feel are beneath them.  I don’t and won’t play those games.  They are all beneath me.

I have a feeling this situation isn’t yet over, however, as Marian told me before that she was “documenting everything.”  This might get ugly.

In other worlds, spring has arrived here and I’m thrilled! 

What I’m reading:  Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri.

What I’m listening to:  The Senator’s Wife by Sue Miller.

   Apparently, the library director “scolded” the Circulation staff for reading magazines while out on the public service desk yesterday.  I heard this from 2 staff members after I came in for my 1-9 shift.  One of them told me this in exasperation especially since he sits near the director’s office and is privy to her oh-so-personal conversations with the AD and other city staff member who has her office in the library.  So, the deal is, it’s okay for her to “steal from the city” by “chit chatting” with others but it’s not okay for the rest of the staff to build community and camaraderie with each other during work hours.  In other words, she has to belittle and humiliate others so that she can feel more powerful.  Disgusting.

    I seriously need to find other employment, blog more often and in greater detail, or write the hell out of my journal. 

    At least the weather is slowly (very slowly) starting to improve.  We have sun today so I took a nice walk. 

    My good friend L. says that by my birthday, she has a feeling that I’ll be in a new place of employment.  We’ll see.  Maybe I should meditate on that?

What I’m reading:  The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James

   Yesterday, while out on the reference desk, I was reading book reviews.  I came across an article in the latest issue of Library Journal about the Paraprofessional of the Year.  This is an annual honor of a non-librarian position who is recognized for outstanding work by his supervisors, i.e., librarians.  Well, as I'm reading the article, the winner, a young man about 30 years of age, proceeds to gush about how he can answer any reference questions just like the librarians!  Mind you, he does not even have a bachelor's degree, much less the required Master's degree for librarians!  I am seeing this more and more and it is getting very frustrating to hear about.  I mean, why in the world would you go out and spend money to get that so-called required Master's degree in Information Science if you don't need it to do what this guy is doing?  It's a slap in the face is what it is and the Multnomah County Public Library in Portland, OR should be reprimanded by the American Library Association for devaluing librarianship.  To those library school students who are spending as much money as they will probably be paid in a year for the degree, why would they wish to continue?

My father is a Certified Public Accountant and for years he groaned about the fact that accountants can do pretty much anything that CPAs can do EXCEPT auditing.  Now I understand what he was so upset about, especially since CPAs must also attend a certain amount of classes each year (which are very expensive) to keep the license which allows them to practice as CPAs.  Accountants are not required to do the same.  The question begs to be asked, why bother to reach for the top when those at the bottom are doing what you do?  The prestige is gone.  And the pay does NOT make up for it.

Unfortunately, I'm coming across more and more libraries allowing paraprofessionals to do librarian jobs as well as job postings for a "librarian" not requiring that MLS degree.  In other words, I might be overqualified!  It makes me feel like my degree doesn't matter a whit.  I might as well look into a completely different profession, but what?  

I will need to think long and hard about this one.

By the way, I noticed that the Ann Arbor Public Library job postings I wrote about in a previous entry have mysteriously disappeared from job listings.  Hmmmm....did other librarians tell them off or what?  Or perhaps the library school in Ann Arbor had a word with them?


What I'm reading:  The Silver Needle Murder by Laura Childs.

   Between working at my regular job and subbing at the new place, not to mention having to do house stuff, errands, and grocery shopping in between it all, I haven't had much time to post here.  Until today.  It's a cold and rainy day here and I just got back from the sub job.  It went well.  It was at a branch I hadn't yet worked at, and there's still another branch that I haven't worked at but I'm sure I soon will.  It's a little tiring because it's all unfamiliar.  Lots to process.  Like starting a new job before you get comfortable with everything.

  The branch manager at the job today was very laid back and autonomous, not to mention very friendly and happy to have me there.  Nothing like being appreciated!

   I sent this funny list I made up to a zinester whose zine is nothing but lists.  She says she'll include it in her next zine but I thought I'd share it here as it is very funny and oh, so true.  You librarians out there can relate, I'm sure!



                                                                                        Top 10 Things Library Patrons Really Do

What I'm reading:  Aunt Dimity, Vampire Hunter by Nancy Atherton

What I'm listening to:  A Death in Belmont by Sebastian Junger

    I hear the birds singing through my windows today and, since it's in the 40s, I've cracked the windows for about 30 minutes.  I'm craving fresh spring air after this long winter we've had!  Officially, it's about 6 days away, but it feels spring-like today.  Hooray!

The drama-that-is-the-library continues but I'm determined to not let it bother me.  I'm still looking for another job but the sub hours at another library are helping with my change of focus.  Fresh faces, new environments, new computer system, autonomy.  Who knows? I might be able to make this work forever, especially if I continue with my writing which I fully intend to do.

     Marian is still shadowing the other librarians!  It feels like it will never end.  The latest is that two of our adult librarians were required to be on the Youth Desk with her, each for 2 hours.  Mind you, there is virtually no room for more than one person to sit at this desk at a time.  What a waste of time.  I don't think Marian will last very long and, if she does, I'll think she's a fool.  But I do not know what circumstances has led her to this position in the first place so I guess I can't speculate too much.

     The editor at a library magazine is interested in my reader's advisory book piece! I am in the process of editing and revising it as she wants more plot description and reader appeal.  It's an involved process, but I'm nevertheless very excited.



What I'm reading:  Women and Money by Suze Orman.

    Most of the general public has no idea about the daily work lives of librarians.  It's so funny sometimes!  I worked 1-9 last night and, while on the Reference Desk the first hour, I overheard loud talking from the auto repair section of the stacks.  I walked over and found a young man (late 20s) on his cell phone asking his friend what year his truck was.  I motioned to him to take his call to the outer lobby and he looked at me with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance, then walked toward the doors saying into the phone, "Yeah, I gotta go. I just got yelled at by a hottie."  After he finished his call, he came back inside and apologized saying, "but you're still a hottie."  It's things like this you don't expect when you're just going about your business.  Mind you, I'm almost 40 years old, in layers of icky winter clothing, including pants that have gotten a little big on me and a black cardigan that is so sick of winter it could shrivel up and die.  And my hair is not cooperating lately...but I guess that made me feel good.  

Then, an elderly gentleman (who has asked me out in the past) came up to say "hi" and then asks out of the blue,  "are you still married?"   I had to laugh inside because this is not what most people would think goes on at a public library.  My husband laughed so hard--which he usually does when I regale him with the daily happenings of staff and patrons alike.  

In staff news, one of our children's librarians told me and another co-worker that Marian (the newest librarian on staff) has been bombarding the AD with ideas and articles for her to read.  The AD's reply?  "I'm full-time, I don't have time to read all that."  What a negative and demeaning reply, which unfortunately, does not surprise me.  Oh, well, soon I think Marian will either acquiesce or move on instead of take that attitude.



What I'm reading:  An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear.

  Here I am with a Monday off, the first one in March.  It feels so good to see that it's finally March!  Like spring is on its way, which it is, finally!  And we're certainly having spring-like weather.  It's extremely windy and rainy right now but more snow is on the way tonight and tomorrow.  We've had quite a lot here already.  More than enough.

   Today I caught up with some letter writing. Yes, letter writing.  I have some friends I actually hand write letters to.  It's very nice and makes me feel like I'm keeping up an old tradition.  As a librarian, I love the feel, touch, and smell of paper and it's enjoyable to write by hand instead of type.  It has become a lost art.  One of these friends is also online, but we have only emailed once.  We prefer letter writing, and we've been corresponding since graduate school (about 16 years).

This job listing caught my eye today:  http://www.aadl.org/aboutus/employment/jobposting/display/?jid=22  It's a clerk position at a public library, but its description includes helping "Library users with assistance in using the Library's facilities, on-line catalog, and finding Library materials, both in person and over the telephone. "  Excuse me, but this is a librarian's job!  Yet they are only asking for a high school diploma!  I feel more than a little annoyed and insulted about this.  More public libraries are posting these types of positions that require librarian skills.   And more and more I wonder what is going on in librarianship.  Dumbing down everything seems to be the trend.  

What I'm listening to on my drive:  Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. 

I felt like those cartoon characters that you see where a plume of smoke is literally rising from the person's head.

   Last night, I was scheduled (once again) in the youth room to cover the desk since Marian*, the new youth librarian, was supposed to observe (for the 3rd time!!) storytime with the assistant director (AD).    There are 3 children's librarians, 4 if you count the AD (which I do), so I don't understand why they can't cover their hours.  This is a classic example of micromanaging.  They do not think that Marian (who has had her MLS longer than all of us) can do storytime yet?  When I sub at various libraries, I'm shown the library and reference desk once and that's it.  I'm on my own because a) I'm a professional who knows what she's doing and b) they know that.    Storytime is not rocket science, even though the youth librarians like to think it is.  

   Anyway, when I came on desk the AD was setting up for storytime while Marian was buzzing around straightening the youth room.  AD came over to me where I was clearing their voice mail messages, saw me checking phone messages (there were 2) and made a face when she saw how long they had been on the phone mail system. Marian hadn't checked the phone messages.  AD told Marian,  "You're off desk now, so this isn't the time to be doing what you're doing, straightening the room.  You have things to do in the office."  !!!  I cannot believe that a) AD spoke a to professional librarian like that and b)that Marian said nothing but, instead, agreed with her!  There's no way I would have put up with that.   My husband told me I need to see the humor in this and he's right (or I will continue to be exasperated, upset, and incredulous).  What do you think?  Isn't this unbelievably stupid?

   Yes, deep breathing is often necessary when dealing with idiocy and this is one of those times.  Today it will be my goal to laugh instead of seethe in amazement.  It just makes me shake my head in amazement to see this going on around me.  Like I work in a nut house.  It sometimes makes me wonder a) why I'm a librarian and b) who do these people think they are anyway?  Aargh!!

*Thanks to a friend for pointing out that I needed to keep my names straight!