Diary 07/31

I went in one last time to the branch to discuss all that I've accomplished with the branch manager. During this FE - 165 hours - I have:

• assisted with the coordination of a parade,
• shadowed in three departments,
• weeded CD's, DVD's, adult fiction and non-fiction,
• set up a program for patrons on how to buy on eBay and
• organized both the staff lounge and work areas.

I am whopped! I realize that in order to stay relevant I am going to have to continue volunteering in some capacity, at least once monthly, with the library. I am going to work out those logistics later...

I've begun writing my paper. I already have seven pages and have not finished adding all of the areas the report requests that we cite. Looks like I'll be doing a bit of editing Sunday.

Diary 07/30

Today was the final day of my field experience. I am now moving on to writing a five to ten page reflection paper outlining the experience. Thankfully, I have kept copious notes. This shouldn't be too difficult.

In other news... My cucumbers have died :o( I have been bummed for almost a week about this. I tried so hard to save them but nothing worked. I've pulled them up by the roots and thrown them away. Out of that entire crop, I only harvested four cucumbers. They were great tasting. Too bad. I plan to re-till that soil and plant the rest of the kale seeds. From what I have read, kale is a cool weather vegetable that grows through November. I hope that soil/area is not contaminated...

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Diary 07/25

I have nine months before I graduate. Wow! I am 2/3 of the way complete. I know that is still a long time but it's further along than I initially thought I would come.

I have been told that now is the time to start sending out resumes for librarian positions. In the current economy I have read that it will take around 6-9 months to find an acceptable position.

The biggest hurdle is not finding a job to apply for but being chosen for an interview. To be chosen your resume has to stand out to the Human Resources representative.

I am currently working on my resume. I found two interesting articles on how to make them better and avoid common mistakes.

http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2010/07/20/notes-on-reading-resumes

and

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/what-not-to-do-7-ways-to-ruin-your-resume-2009803/

I hope these articles are helpful :o)

Dairy 07/23

It has been HOT, HOT, HOT!

And I have been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

I mistakenly took on a STEM - science, technology, engineering and math - camp in partnership with NASA for the month of July. Those kids and their projects are working me to death!

Add to this my independent study and my failing/wilting garden (that I am working overtime to save). I'm a bit worn out.

BTW - I have no air conditioning so even as I try to rest I can't due to the heat.

Heard enough whining? Okay, I'm done for now.

A bright spot in my life is the Spectrum Scholarship money. I just received the bill for Fall classes and it was 33% less. Halleluja! My education is still not cheap but it is cheapER which is wonderful.

I'm off to the pool.

TTYS (764)

Diary 07/17

Phew busy week! I've been so busy between work and this independent study that I had not checked my email in three (yes! 3) days. When I did go into my email I found 54 Spectrum emails from fellow recipients introducing themselves days ago. I feel like such a slacker. I have to hurry up and compose my own introduction. I'll hopefully get it done today... I also found out by reading the emails that Pitt's "iSchool" has a newsletter - who knew? In the newsletter they announced the Spectrum scholars.

http://www.ischool.pitt.edu/news/index.php#spectrum

"The American Library Association (ALA) has announced the 2010 Spectrum Scholarship winners, four from the School of Information Sciences. The Spectrum Scholarships are offered to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students pursuing graduate degrees in library and information studies. ALA states that the goal of the Spectrum Scholars Program “is to improve service at the local level through the development of a representative workforce that reflects the communities served by all libraries.” The iSchool is pleased to note that four MLIS students will receive the prestigious awards: Ameerah Al-Mateen, Amiya Hutson, Sherry Cuadrado and LaMonica Wiggi. Cuadrado and Wiggi will enroll for the first time in Fall 2010. The iSchool has hosted more than 16 Spectrum Scholars since 2004."

How exciting for us! In the last 6 years Pitt has only hosted 16 Spectrum Scholars. I think the four of us are the largest cohort to date.

In other news, I still do not have a grade for the LRTL class. The instructor posted Fast Track students presentations so we could see/hear ourselves. I was overall pleased with my presentation. It was good to see myself. I looked pretty comfortable (though I was NOT- LOL). Being my own biggest critic I think I read off the screen a bit much and was fidgety. I will take that into consideration for future presentations.

IS is going well. I'm back at the branch. The current project of interfiling DVD's into a new system is my least favorite. The only good part will be the completion. My eyes are tired of DVD numbers.

Speaking of tired, my cucumbers are wilting! I am not sure what could be the cause. They were growing so bountifully and flowering wonderfully. I water them twice a day- before sun up and at sun down so I cannot image they are wilting from thirst. Just in case, I gave them more water and checked on them again this morning at 6am. The leaves that were wilting still look sad so I cannot tell if the extra water helped. I would be truly despondent if those plants died. I LOVE fresh cucumbers. Sigh, I'll have to hope for good things.

BTW, thank you for sharing my journey. I appreciate you!

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Diary 07/11

I had a great time during FT weekend! The smashing of the picture was the only glitch in an otherwise wonderful weekend.

Friday I went to class, met the wonderful instructor (Lisa Santucci), listened to LOTS of presentations then went back to the hotel and slept. I TOTALLY recommend everyone taking LRTL when it becomes available. LS is a warm, friendly, engaging instructor. One of the best I've met at Pitt to date.

Saturday I went to the hotels front desk to find out about the picture. They told me "not to worry about it." Thank goodness! I was willing to pay a reasonable charge for the picture but they were going to have to put it in my trunk because it was going home with me. Anything I pay for I keep. Thankfully, we did not have to go through those shenanigans - smile.

Also on Saturday, I had the opportunity to tour the Botanical gardens and get some great pictures of flowers, butterflies, etc. Very nice and soothing. I think Pitt students should get a more comprehensive ticket discount ($1 off sucks) but oh well!









Lastly, I went back to LRTL class and did my presentation. I went 15.01 - almost perfect! We were given a 15 minute time limit I only exceeded it by 1 second. The class reviews to my presentation were very favorable. I am satisfied that I will receive the appropriate grade for the class.

When we got home I checked my garden. Everything was in order. The cucumbers were attached to a few of the corn stalks but I disentangled them, weeded a bit, gave the garden some water and went to bed.

Today, I unpack. Monday I am back to IS (independent study) in the branches...

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Diary 07/09

We're Heere!

I just hope yesterday is not a sample of what is to come.

Last evening we got to the hotel, ordered the portable bed and went to our room. The room was perfectly situated right next to the fitness center. We got into the room without incident-all keys worked. I moved the bed (that hotel staff left in the hallway) into the room, it was a tight fit but it was working. As soon as the bed turned the corner and was lowered it hit the picture in the room and glass exploded everywhere. I was shocked! I felt like a rock star. I had just destroyed a hotel room.

Sigh... I called downstairs to let hotel staff know about the accident and we were assigned to another room down the hall. The hotel staff still did not help move the bed or situate it in the room but this time Lori and I worked as a team to ensure no more mayhem.

I hope they don't charge me for the picture. The accident was basically my fault but isn't the staff supposed to set up portable beds so incidents like this don't happen? I don't know. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

I'm ready to go home.

Diary 07/06

Fast Track Weekend here we come again. Sigh... Will I ever look forward to a FTW?

After this only one more FTW to go in October and then, praise Jesus, GRADUATION!

I am sooo ready to graduate and more on with my career.

This FTW I have 10 hours of LRTL. I have a 15 minute presentation to give and then 25 or so 15 minute presentations more to listen to. I have no idea how I am going to stay sane through this...

For fall I have registered for Technology in the Lives of Children (TLC) and Resources for Adults (RA).

Now to my FP, last week I shadowed staff from my area of least interest. Surprise, surprise it was fun. Every department had really great, helpful staff. These last couple of weeks I have received an eye opening tour of the library environment/world.

Lastly, the garden - smile! My garden is a thing of beauty. Something chewed on my baby kale so I cut the rest and put it in a salad. It was delish! The rest of the vegetables are flowering and getting ready to give me a seemingly bountiful harvest. Everything has flowered. I even found the missing basil plants.

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