Resolutions for librarians

Ok so I've not posted for a long while...I got caught up in the holiday spirit and school things. So today is the last day before 2009, and I decided to google "new year's resolutions for librarians". I wondered for a couple of seconds if there would be any hits. There were over 780K results.

I read mostly blog links. The Shifted Librarian blog had a post about New Year's resolutions for technology in libraries. It was posted in 2004. The next one was actually about a Filipino librarian. I loved his quote..."I can't change Filipino librarians, but I can change the way you look at us." His post was basically about emailing resolutions to yourself. The next blog, although it was short, was interesting. Click here to read the blog. It was more of what I wanted to read. The blogger posted 4 pieces of wisdom: collection development in religion, setting aside personal political beliefs, genealogists and library publicity. The blogger attitude still fits with our current times. When I read this blog, it made me think about my library resolutions...I pondered...pondered more...still pondered...so here are 5 things I will try to do...

1. Read (at least) 1 young adult or juvenile book per month.
2. Increase the young adult nonfiction and juvenile biography section by 20%.
3. Blog more on the library system's teen and children's blog.
4. Be 20% more active in community events.
5. (Of course) Be the best librarian I can possibly be for my community.

I think this list is a start. I'll revisit it again.

Reading really "is" important...

and so is listening.

Ok...about a week ago my library system had our annual staff development day. It was western themed and I thought that the library was wonderfully decorated and the programs were excellent. Some of the really cool props included a

hitching post, a chuck wagon (made with a book cart, fun noodles, fabric, duck tape, and string), real milk canisters and a saddle. Some people elected to wear western wear and others were in comfortable clothes. I think I looked more like a confused urban cowgirl roadie...lol...

To the important part--the part where one should listen and read--During the recognition ceremony, which took place after lunch, I received an award. I was so worried about the meeting room temperature that when our director called my name I just walked to the podium. I really did not "read" the certificate or even "hear" why I was being recognized; I just knew I was being recognized for being a nominee for branch employee of the year. Fast forward to Friday (a week later), I took my certificate home and actually read it and I was the Rankin County Employee of the Year. WOW!!! I feel honored and I am humbled that some of my fellow coworkers felt compelled to nominate me. If you are reading this blog post and nominated me, thank you for believing in me. I hope to do magnificent things for the library world.