The Wild Librarian

"You see, I don't believe that libraries should be drab places where people sit in silence, and that's been the main reason for our policy of employing wild animals as librarians." --Gorilla Librarian sketch, Monty Python's Flying Circus TV Show, Episode 10

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Location: East Coast, United States

A curious librarian seeking knowledge and adventure in an Univeristy Library setting.

Saturday, January 29, 2005

Book of the Week: Lead or Get Off the Pot! : The Seven Secrets of a Self-Made Leader by: Pat Croce & Bill Lyon

A little bit about the author: Until I read this book I had no idea who he was, and when I told some friends about this book they were shocked that I didn't know Pat Croce. I suppose I'm not so versed in the athletic area. Pat Croce was president of the Philadelphia 76'ers for five years. His leadership style and positive attitude helped turn around a losing NBA team. Currently he is a motivational speaker and writer.

This book is filled with a variety of hints/tips for anyone. You don't have to be a manager to enjoy reading this book. Since he takes a practical approach this book I found it not focused to a particular audience. The author has a relaxed and funny style and is well suited for male readers since the author uses many sports analogies. Which makes incredible sense given his background.

I liked his leadership and management ideas. Leaders, he contends, should aim to serve their staff, not focus on being dictators. They should embrace change, articulate a vision, and ignite a "visible and visceral passion" in their subordinates. Good leaders must be able to delegate without evading responsibility, be willing to what they ask others to do and set a good example as a moral stronghold.

He also offered tips on listening, remembering names, motivating staff (by using bonuses in the form of electronics, nice idea!) and conducting job interviews. The author points out that taking the time to know your staff will pay off in the end. His incredible willingness to be social and using positive encouragement rubs off on those around him. He encourages managers and leaders to be social with co-workers. He says that by being held up in your office all day making little or no contact with your underlings is a recipe for disaster. When you "hide out" in your office you are sending the message "I don't care" which you may not really mean. He says take the every opportunity you can to make contact with staff. On the way to the restroom, coffee bar or copier greet those you pass and try to talk to at least one person, and the next time you pass by talk to another and another and so forth until you have talked to everyone at least once a week. (This may be a bit extreme but you get the point.) By learning their personalities you have the opportunity to understand the best ways to motivated and encourage them. When you build relationships with staff members you have invested in a partnership and the staff are more likely to want to work together.

He has some wonderful ideas and inspired me to become a better leader and manager.

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

A Winter's Day

Today is cold. Of course it's still winter but it seems to be hitting me hard today. I want to be at home next to the fire in my big cozy chair reading my book. Ahhh. And a bit of tea, perfection. Something to look forward to for tonight.

Saturday, January 22, 2005

Book of the Week:Reproduction is the Flaw of Love by: Lauren Grodstein

I came across this book browsing at my library's "new books" shelf. At first I thought I'd like this book but was incredibly disappointed. This is the author's debut novel, her style is great but, I was not pleased with the story.

The book takes place in a Brooklyn apartment one rainy Saturday afternoon. The main character, Joel Miller, whose perspective is leading the reader through his thoughts and mostly fears of potential parenthood. He waiting outside the bathroom door of the apartment he shares with his girlfriend as she takes a pregnancy test to determine their fate as parents. To occupy his time we are taken through the memories of his life. At 28 years he is still finding his way in the world torn between what he can't have and what is facing him now. His life has been dominated by his father's departure and his mother's mental illness filling his mind with fear, fear of being responsible for a child. Fear that he may be a horrible parent. Afraid that he may inflict emotional damage on his child similar to what he experienced.

He dwells on the memory of a wealthy girl that stole his heart but has since left him. I suspect that by interpreting the male perspective on grief, love and heartbreak was a difficult task for a female writer. I suppose I didn't like the book as well as I had hoped because of the disappointment. The character was grateful for all the good things about his girlfriend but he finds it troubling that, taken as a whole, they are no comparison to the girl who came before her. I was disappointed that considering the relationship with his girlfriend ws going well until the pregnancy scare that he wimped out and pretty much made an effort to give up on them. I became very disappointed because this made me realize that many men all over the US are experiencing this daily and are too wiling to run away.

What a depressing book, certainly does not boost the trust in men. It would and should make women feel more self conscious and wry of themselves and men.

Saturday, January 15, 2005

Sleep....never gonna get it

The Wild Librarian is tired today. It must be my nightmares about scheduling my student staff for work.

Friday, January 14, 2005

Book of the Week: Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia by: Jean Sasson

Wow. What a powerful read. I discovered this book at a relative's house it was highly recommended to read. I had heard of the book but was not prepared for the story. Anyone that wants to gain more insight on women's rights should read this book. After reading a book like this I am thankful I was born female in the United States.

Being subjected to the horrors of incredible oppression is a fate I cannot fathom. To be oppressed is one thing but to be oppressed by those that are supposed to love you is a saddening and frightening way to experience life. I understand that this novel is based on a Saudi princess and that it took place over a period of years. It was an incredible journey for me. To imagine myself in a similar situation, living in a home wondering if my male relatives cared about me, experiencing a family life based on hierarchy brought tears to my eyes.

I realized further that my complaints about having an unsupportive father can never compare to the hell this woman and others like her have experienced and endure daily.

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

The Copier Will Die

How come electronic equipment knows the precise wrong time to decide it will jam and/or break down? Is there some sort of secret messaging going on between the library equipment signaling to one another the prime moment to cause the most chaos?

I think that I have taken apart this blasted copier at least 10 times and the day has just begun. And of course this one happens to be the new copier and the patrons' favorite. Every person that has been having "problems" with the copier could have avoided this if they only hadn't jammed 60 pages of crinkled, hole punched pieces of paper in the feeder. Do people read directions anymore?

I'm bringing my sledge hammer tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Door? Anyone got a door?

Today has been a rather trying day. I really wish there was some sort of magic door hidden in the stacks that leads to a relaxing tropical beach. I would retreat to that magic land right now.

Friday, January 07, 2005

Book of the Week: The Da Vinci Code by: Dan Brown

I found this book to be an exciting and fun read. I'm not going to bang the drum and claim I believe that anything in this book is truth or potentially true. It simply was a creative, fun, fictional story. If you like excitement, action and mystery then give it a read. You can form your own opinions.

Thursday, January 06, 2005

Water Cooler Fairy

There is no such thing as a water cooler fairy. However some people think there is such a thing. At my previous job an empty water cooler jug would remain in the cooler for days. Staff would walk to the other cooler on the farthest side of the library rather than replace the one in the break room. What is it about the water cooler jug that frightens people? Come on now. Rip off the cap and plop that bad boy on the cooler. If you used the last bit of water you should replace the empty jug. It's just water cooler etiquette.

Apple Pie at Night

I made an apple pie the other day and I must say it's a rather tasty pie. Is it not absolutely wonderful to come home from work late a night and have a lovely piece of apple pie for a treat?

Monday, January 03, 2005

Librarians work hard....Really!

When I tell people what I do for a living I usually get two responses:

"Wow you must be really smart." Oh thank you, why yes I am, you do flatter me.

OR

"That sounds like such an easy job. It must be great to surf the net, read and talk to people all day. I bet you have so much fun at work." Why I oughtta......to the Moon!

What is with that mixed stereotype? (I'm not gonna touch the appearance angle) Seriously do people think we hang out all day? We work hard! I work hard. Most days I wonder where my time has gone. Perhaps they believe that we are only able to survive in dark quiet places surrounded by stacks of books.

Saturday, January 01, 2005

Book of the Week: The Red Tent by: Anita Diamant

Another book recommended to me by my mother. I tend to pounce on books suggested to me by family or friends and especially my mom.

This book is based on the only daughter of Jacob and Rachel. It is told from Dinah's perspective following her from childhood through adulthood. As her memories spill she spins a web of her complicated family life living as daughter with four mothers. She speaks of the cherished moments she experienced in the red tent with her mothers. The red tent is the place where women gathered during their cycles of birthing and menses, a place of refuge. This tent was an island of security a place to build a bond of supportive sisterhood. Through the conversations Dinah learned the importance of her mothers, their strengths, weaknesses, everything that made them the women she loved.

This was an incredible book. I felt empowered, glad to be a female. Grateful for the relationships I have with the important women in my life.