I feel as though I've been trying to dig my way out from under a huge pile of books the past few weeks. One of the many duties as a librarian is re-shelving, and without an aide (grownup, not student) I've been feeling a little bit behind. As of today I have 5 carts worth of books that need shelving--I've had 2 classes per period for the past 2 days and it leaves very little time for re-shelving. Mostly the kids have just been pulling the books back off the carts and checking them out (which is okay by me because it means less shelving to do later!)
Things are going well despite the lack of re-shelving. I'm learning more each day about how to do things, how to balance my time, and how to serve the needs of the staff and students. I've been grouchy from time to time, but not because I don't like my job (more from a lack of sleep since my 2 year old figured out how to open the door to his room.) In many ways I feel as though
I need a tutorial on 'how to do stuff in the library.' I'm constantly re-evaluating systems and making things function in a way that work for me. For example--I got the labels to 'genre-ize' the fiction books. Its going to be a long, drawn-out process that will probably take me the better part of the year to get organized but I'm excited for the kids to see it once its done! My main hangup right now is the organization of the library--my fiction being in 2 separate places is driving me absolutely batty! Once I am finished 'weeding' the non-fiction I'm going to seriously start looking at moving some things around. (Yes, I still have more weeding to do---ask me when I'll have time? :)
I have FINALLY finished cataloging the new books that were on the cart from the beginning of the year, as well as the books that I bought at the book fair. I have about 30 books that I still need to put a protective covering on and stick on the shelf but luckily that isn't a challenging task (just a time consuming one!)
Its hard to be a new librarian without much help. I feel guilty when I have to close the library because I need to go to the chiropractor or eat lunch because it means someone can't come up and use the resources for a little while. I know I'm human and I know I have principal permission to do so, but I am in a service position now, more than I ever was before.
Tonight this newbie librarian just needs some sleep so that she can dig her way out of the pile tomorrow.
