Library Day in the Life - Day 3

As I sit here pondering what I have of note to write about my experience as a librarian on Wednesday, July 29, 2009, the first thing I think of is something I wrote on Monday. In that post, I expressed my hope that I would begin drafting the cost estimate for a system-wide conversion to RFID. Well, two full days later and I haven't even started. I've got all the basic prices for component parts and I know how much of each we'll need, but I haven't put a darn thing down on "paper" (I actually use a computer a lot more than I do paper). Is this typical in the high-powered world of public librarianship? I don't know. But I can tell you that it is fairly common in my little slice of library-land. I have a big, messy list of "projects" that I am constantly juggling around in my head and all the stuff that doesn't deserve the weight of the term "project" continues interrupting and distracting me. I do realize that this admission makes me sound terribly unfocused. I don't know; maybe I am. However, I do continue to get things done, I think, and (mostly) have fun doing it. With that in mind, here is a brief, bulleted list of some things I "got done" today:

• First thing this morning I attended another in a series of supervisory skills workshops that our interim Director has been leading. At each of these, we spend a few hours working with one another to develop the kind of interpersonal skills that will help us to serve more effectively as supervisors and as co-workers. It sounds a little "touchy feely" to quote one of the branch supervisors here, but these trainings have been, on balance, successful. It is common for us to speak explicitly in every day situations about how concepts we've learned apply. This has led to an improved, more collegial, and more positive workplace. All of this adds up to more fun at work so I'm all for it!
• I reviewed with SPL's Digital Services Librarian the notes she took at a meeting with the staff at one of the branches. These folks had a lot of questions and a lot of good suggestions. As she is new in her position, the Digital Services Librarian does not always have the answers to questions she receives in her branch visits so going over with her what she experienced is useful. After speaking with me, the Digital Services Librarian can get back to the branch with some good news and some feedback on their good ideas.
• We've got a new branch opening in January that will be a joint-use facility between the Library, a local high school, and a local community college. The MOU we have between the partners is six years old and seriously in need of an update. Today, our Director, Deputy Director and I met with the heads from the partner agencies to touch on some important topics. This was a great meeting with, by and large, very positive results. We are lucky that, even in a time when school districts are hurting so badly finanically, that our partners are so invested in working productively with us. This was an interesting meeting for me on a professional level because I am only just at the point in my career where I participate in decision-making at the "external to the Library" level and it is both fun and daunting.
• I was asked at the last minute to write a certificate of recognition for a person whom I supervise and I look forward to delivering that good news tomorrow morning.
• I knocked out Thing 13 out of 27 and am wondering how I'll manage fourteen more in the next 48 hours...