Q.K.T. - Quality Kitty Time

One of my most recent acquisitions is a 1-year old kitty named Juniper! I actually adopted her from the Animal Protective League of Springfield, IL, where I am from. I had been looking for about 3 months for a cat that I thought would fit my personality. I had an idea that I wanted an orange cat from the start because my previous cats were all black and white or gray. I felt that an cute little orange kitty would complete my life! The search process wasn't an easy one. I had all these ideas of what I wanted, but then the timing never seemed exactly right. I was either going to be going home for spring break or Easter and then end of the year projects rolled around and I really didn't want to get a cat just to neglect it. So all the stars aligned this past weekend. I went to an adoption at Pet's Mart and there she was.. the cutest, nicest, calmest kitten I had seen in my search!

So far it has been going pretty well, we are getting along. She needs a bigger litter box and more toys and I need to get used to having someone depend on me. It is a learning process for sure.. I think this will definitely help me grow up a little and not be so focused on me.

down and out

I hold myself to a pretty high standard... and usually I attain that goal. I might complain or worry along the way, but it gets done. Today, was just not one of those days. I am pretty sure I butchered my 502 exam (the second half of the intro to LIS). I can't stop thinking about it.. if I had just prepared a little bit longer.. worked a little harder.. maybe I would have done decently. I need to compartmentalize it in to a little box and let go. I have to.

I doubt your commitment to public service..

As of late I have been really trying to narrow down what type of librarian I want to be. I have always known that I would probably do well being involved with the public. I am not trying to be cruel, but there is a stereotype that is perpetuated of people in my field as bookish, nerdy, and socially awkward. So far I have met many people that supersede this conception, however I have met just as many that fit the mold. So I always had it in my mind that I would be someone who was made for the public arena. I mean, I definitely have my share of awkwardness, but I think overall I am a pretty sociable person. I have been working in the public sphere of the library for over 5 years now (gosh, that is strange to say). In either reference or circulation, which I must say the circulation desk is at the forefront of the public interaction. They are the first beacon that people run into in the library (generally) and therefore they get all the off the wall questions that people immediately ask as they enter the building. My experiences may have potentially jaded me. I am not as convinced as I was before that serving the public is what I want to do or what will satisfy me.

I have also been thinking that maybe I am just getting the wrong impression. Reference librarians generally only work a certain amount of hours on the desk a week. The longest I have seen them work in succession is 5 hours, but where I am working at now the shifts are at most 3 hours. So the public interaction is in small doses. Circulation is its own beast. I have seen circ desk's where the librarian works a normal day shift 9-5 behind the desk, in constant contact with the public. Ultimately I think just keeping to my current strategy of being open to all library experiences and willing to do anything that will get me a job will help me out in the long term....

fast forward...

4 months. I am almost done with my first year of library school.. I have to admit this second semester has been more challenging than the last one. I don't know if it is the course work or just my general lack of available time that has made it more difficult, but really there is a marked difference. I regret not diligently updating this blog. However, I just feel as though time has just flown by. It seems like just yesterday I started this crazy journey, but that is a little over 8 months ago now. I guess when you are working 3 jobs and trying to keep up with classes things get a little hectic.

This brings me to the thing I wish for the most for my next year of school: I want to get an assitantship. I need to get an assistantship. It would take care of my tuition and really just enable me to have a lot more freedom. It would also provide a great experience that I could hopefully use as momentum to get a great job after graduation. I have already started applying.. and I think the interview process will be beginning soon. I really need to make sure this happens... I want it more than anything I have wanted in a long time.