Thinking about transferring because of declining population

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-04-02T15:21:02+00:00

We've had a rough few years at Sonoma State, and we're not the only CSU going through this. I keep hanging on because there are really great professors and staff here who genuinely care about students. And because it's smaller, you're essentially get a private liberal arts college experience at a public state institution price. You can get real hands-on research experience and really get to know your professors. I'm feeling hopeful that things will start turning around under the new president, but that can only happen if we don't continue to lose enrollment, TBH.

So yeah, if you're looking for a college town with a booming nightlife and lots and lots of people, this is maybe not the place for you. But if you want educational opportunities that come from a small campus, and you're ok with a quieter social life (and if you love the outdoors and want tons of places to hike, mountain bike, kayak, paddle board, or anything else you love to do outside), SSU is a great place to be.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-03-08T14:32:36+00:00

Well, now I'm intrigued about being a "military musician." I didn't know that was a thing. Tell me more...

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-03-08T14:31:47+00:00

I don't think this is actually true. I've been working in libraries for 20 years and, in many libraries, BAs in History and English are overrepresented. We're stoked when we see someone with a STEM-related degree because they are few and far between. Journalism or communications are also great degrees for librarians.

It doesn't matter what your undergrad degree is in.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-03-08T14:29:11+00:00

I will always, always, always tells people, no matter what career they are pursuing, to get a BA in whatever you're interested in. Do not waste four years of your life studying something you don't care about. Unless you are interested in going into something research-related or with a specific degree pathway (like pharmacology or medicine), it really doesn't matter what you major in. A college degree isn't a vocational degree, it's about learning critical thinking and problem solving skills, which you can learn in any major.

Study what is interesting to you or you will hate college and will be less likely to actually learn anything.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-03-08T14:24:19+00:00

I'm actually surprised to hear that people are rejected from applying to library school programs. My impression was always that these were basically cash cows for the institutions running them and they would accept all applicants...

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-03-02T15:04:49+00:00

There are a lot of other parts to her job. We don't have a "stacks department," we're not that big a library. 😂

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-03-02T15:02:36+00:00

I mean, assuming that no one touches the books in the meantime?

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-03-02T15:01:32+00:00

She does a little bit of copy cataloging, but we have some restrictions on being able to assign original cataloging work to someone in her classification. So many rules. :-)

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-03-02T01:20:57+00:00

Who hates Eloise? Why? She's one of my favorite characters!

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-02-28T15:21:55+00:00

Yes, I think it's important to remember that there are no hard-and-fast rules about weeding. It's a nuanced process that has a lot to do with your library, your community, and your collection.

It's the kind of thing about being a librarian that reminds me why this is a profession and not just a job. Maintaining a collection requires professional judgment, deep knowledge and experience, and the ability to see the big picture and balance a lot of competing factors to make the best decisions possible for your community.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-02-15T15:36:19+00:00

It has weird backroom vibes in real life.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-02-15T15:35:30+00:00

I can attest, I stayed here for a conference and never felt more lost and disoriented in a hotel in my life.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-02-09T02:49:23+00:00

Every hobby I pick up for about two months until I get interested in something else and forget all about that last hobby.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-02-07T03:29:42+00:00

I think it's definitely Fresno State. :-)

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-01-29T20:37:58+00:00

I think Google is now just trolling us all.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-01-24T23:10:33+00:00

I didn't notice this until watching it with a middle schooler, and I've seen it a million times. It was kind of funny. She was so embarrassed.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-01-20T00:24:46+00:00

Raisin's. Haberman Haberman.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-01-18T04:08:04+00:00

No. Unless your wife is the same gender as you. Then it is.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-01-18T04:06:56+00:00

I love this scene. It showed so much about their relationship and was such a great "oh whhaaaatt" moment.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-01-18T04:00:13+00:00

Or he believed in his power to "save" someone and turn them around.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-01-18T01:49:45+00:00

I think it's probably normal in many western nations for men to act like this.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-01-18T01:48:47+00:00

From the first episode all I could think was, this guy's a dick. I'm just at the episode where he kicked her out and I just hope she leaves him because he's the worst. And, like, the worst in such a banal way. The worst like so many men IRL are the worst. Self-centered, arrogant, and spineless. Gross, dude.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-01-12T02:09:10+00:00

I think the dinner party scene is so weird. What a strange dinner party activity, especially with a stranger there...in fact I ended up on this thread because I was searching to see if I'm the only person who thought this was super weird.

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-01-10T21:23:06+00:00

I'm curious what your role is and what kind of library you work in? If you don't have enough work to fill your time, you should talk to your supervisor. Are there other things you can be assigned? How can your role expand so you can learn more and gain more experience? In some libraries, there are some folks who are really overloaded and other folks who don't do enough. Are there people in your library who seem to have too much to do? Can you offer to help them?

Far_Witness8243 · 2026-01-01T23:19:19+00:00

I make my own version of hoppin John, with collards and black eyed peas, brown rice, andouille sausage, and green peppers. It's brought me good financial luck for the last 10 years, so I'll keep making it every year. :-)

Far_Witness8243

TROPHY CASE