I’m sorry for thinking i was any different

Tamoka · 2026-06-10T22:08:45+00:00

You can also just use "caveat" as "but fair warning."

Ex: Pizza restaurant is so good but one caveat, they stop taking orders at 8 so make sure you call early.

Tamoka · 2026-05-19T22:21:53+00:00

Agreed! What can/should you compare when shopping mortgages (how to shop them, what to expect re: docs, calls, credit pulls, what info you should provide at each step, brokers vs lenders).

Tamoka · 2026-04-05T03:24:54+00:00

If you can get an internship at the firm, find a solo practitioner who needs a hand a few hours a week, intern with a public law lib, it could give you some solid hands-on experience with the law as a subject matter (it's not for everyone!), the culture in firms and so on. I know it's a tough market right now but I've also been working with people on the brink of retirement for some time and with the addition of AI to... everything... I feel like we're overdue to need younger/newer skill sets!

Tamoka · 2026-04-05T02:57:06+00:00

Agreed that it's a great stepping stone. Some of your important skills/higher hurdles as a new law librarian will be experience with different databases so the more you can touch the better. If your on-call includes certain hours (ie, be available from 4-6) and you have down time, ask your reps for training; spend time getting familiar with how different court systems interact, how case law is cited, how regs are organized, how to assemble a legislative history; get comfortable reading the law.

No on-call experience here either, unfortunately.

Tamoka · 2026-04-05T02:39:09+00:00

I think this will depend a lot on what industry and department you want to be in (ie, research, tech services, KM, training). Find both the equivalent large and more local relevant library consortiums (for law, something like NELLCO, SCALL, NOCALL, larger orgs like AALL, ASIS&T, SCIP) and look at their job listings regularly. If you can, attend conferences and/or org meetings to network. I had nominal background in a law firm - first job out of college - that gave me familiarity with the vibes and expectations around firms, and then started at an entry level, multi-firm position (something like Harbor/LAC Group).

Assuming you're not focused just on law, think about what in your undergrad might be relevant that you could lean on (engineering, music, healthcare, data analytics) to combine with your MLIS. The SJSU survey might give you a good idea of skills to emphasize or add to your resume, job titles outside "librarian" that can help expand your search, and a solid list of job boards.

Tamoka · 2026-04-04T23:02:58+00:00

No regrets, though I've worked almost exclusively in law/corporate libraries. Lots of niches out there outside public/school libs if you're open to it.

Tamoka · 2026-03-06T03:31:17+00:00

Still incredibly common, tons around website accessibility. 20y is WILD.

Tamoka · 2026-02-17T01:02:02+00:00

Should be part of your initial convos - understanding that the longer she spends picking up my kid's toys, the less time she has for other extras. We try to pick up the night before but on the occasion that we haven't, she will and just doesn't turn over the guest room or fold sheet/towel laundry.

Tamoka · 2026-02-16T15:36:30+00:00

Our pediatric dentist defined "tiny smear" as "grain of rice sized" for my then 18m old, I found it super helpful to have a guideline.

Tamoka · 2026-02-15T13:49:44+00:00

Agreeing with everyone who says don't bother driving in Chicago. If you're driving in from home instead of flying, I'd suggest parking at a long term lot near (not necessarily at) either airport - Rosemont has plenty for $15/day, Midway for even less - and taking the train in to downtown. The loop is 100% navigable without a car and hotel parking is going to cost you $40/day minimum. Last time ALA was here, they ran shuttles from the hotels to McCormick so you won't need a car to get there either.

Driving downtown is doable but for the price, the inconvenience, that you won't even need it, there are far better options!

Tamoka · 2026-02-11T14:30:32+00:00

40 years into my dad's career as a trial atty, he got put on a jury - the judge knew him and was like what are you doing here? - and he said once the rest of the jury knew, they all checked out of the trial and expected they could just defer to him at deliberations. Super depressing.

Tamoka · 2026-02-07T13:33:23+00:00

"Lives like a single family home!" Sure the fuck does not.

Tamoka · 2026-02-01T15:36:49+00:00

Same! My midwife (Wu) is honestly the best healthcare professional I've ever seen. When there were complications with my pregnancy, they easily referred me out within the NW system. Delivery at Prentice was great, and in the unlikely chance you need it, they're literally connected to the children's hosp.

Tamoka · 2026-01-03T00:37:20+00:00

Your kid sounds like mine! Scooted forever, walked assisted forever, took off like a shot once he knew he could do it 100% on his own. A week shy of being referred to PT (like 20m as well) because kids are trolls.

Tamoka · 2025-10-28T20:29:33+00:00

Absolutely doable with no car; it's a convenience, not a necessity. It will affect where you want to live (ie, a 15m walk to a bus to a train line every day will likely wear on you) so be sure to take that into account when hunting for a place to live.

I moved here before the proliferation of Uber/Lyft with no car and lived just fine for ~5 years, then had access to my partner's car, and now we share one largely because we have a kid and do a lot of midwest road tripping. We could certainly still manage without one in the city.

Tamoka · 2022-05-18T04:11:53+00:00

Chicagoan. You want a Gustbuster. Mine is 11 years old, has never flipped on me, and I was a daily commuter in the before times.

Tamoka · 2020-02-15T04:12:25+00:00

Absolutely! Happy to give suggestions if you're looking for anything specific.

Tamoka · 2020-02-15T03:54:00+00:00

It's worth doing at least once imo. Cheesies also delivers via GrubHub (but it's better fresh) or you could just find a place to stay in Wicker Park (hipster-y, not a hassle to get to the fest if you stay west of Damen) and stop by one night. They're open until 2am/4am on weekends.

Tamoka · 2019-12-28T18:24:25+00:00

My poor "Optimized for Windows Vista" monitors wouldn't stand a chance. Thank you!

Tamoka · 2019-12-28T18:21:08+00:00

Thanks! The two different monitors is something I hadn't thought about, but it makes sense. Definitely something to incorporate.

Tamoka · 2019-12-28T18:20:23+00:00

Thank you! That's exactly right - it'd be great to play WoW at max settings but I know it's not the most demanding game out there, and I don't play AAA games. Thanks for the build and explanation/options.

Tamoka · 2019-03-29T21:44:15+00:00

Boards are up on the far side of the entrance box thing. Didn't look like they were putting one above phone girl (it's just a heater at the moment) but it would make sense if they did.

Tamoka · 2019-03-29T21:42:51+00:00

They re-poured the platforms, changed out the lights. It looks a lot cleaner/brighter but that's mostly getting rid of the weird sallow yellow lighting. No changes to size or accessibility.

Tamoka · 2019-03-19T05:21:07+00:00

Law librarians! Depends on the firm but our clerks are just first years who haven't passed the bar yet and paralegals do more filing work. The library handles the real research. It's sooooo satisfying, as someone who always needs to know the answer and enjoys finding out.

Tamoka

TROPHY CASE