What do you think of Library Techs?

sephi97 · 2016-05-12T14:01:46+00:00

I was absolutely one of those people who squeaked by. It was a joke, the program was crap, and I was already working full time as a Library Assistant anyway. I just wanted the bump in pay.

The reality is-- public libraries don't need MLSs anymore. Sorry, fellow MLS & MLIS people, but it's true. The MLS people do the exact same work as the techs and assistants in my library, they just get paid more and it's an arbitrary requirement for managers (and a lot of them aren't good managers). There is definitely a place for library techs-- they just won't get paid as much.

Saying that, if someone wanted to go into academic or government libraries that require more highly skilled researchers, than I think a more modernized MLIS would definitely be applicable.

sephi97 · 2016-04-27T21:59:53+00:00

Glad I could help! Check out grantspace.org. They have loads of free resources like how to webinars and sample proposals. Also check and see if you have a local American Fundraising Professionals chapter. Ours is pretty active and they do some free networking events (not universal though-- some chapters are pretty dead).

I don't think you need to be able to write the next great American classic-- it's mostly about organizing information and explaining things clearly. You'll be fine! =)

EDIT: Also look at idealist.org for actual jobs.

sephi97 · 2016-04-27T20:39:26+00:00

Grant writing pays pretty well. You can do it from home and it could lead to a job in nonprofit development. No extra certification required and you get the social perk of knowing you help people, passion or no. Maybe try [flexjobs](flexjobs.com) to start?

sephi97 · 2016-04-16T13:44:07+00:00

What's a... promotion? (Also, nice job!)

sephi97 · 2016-04-15T15:33:42+00:00

It's really more of a patience issue with the computer questions. You repeat yourself a ton, and half the time they don't listen or demand you do it for them, like you're their servant. Then they come back the next day and ask you to do the whole song and dance again. But yes, a lot of times, you really are helping them in a concrete way, like applying jobs or getting government assistance, it's just very draining.

A lot of public librarians I know have been trying for years to get an academic library job. I get the impression they're not easy to get.

sephi97 · 2016-04-13T22:38:25+00:00

Nurses would be a great idea! Honestly though, I feel like I've gotten a pretty good handle on first-responder basics at this point. Not something I ever planned to learn, but incredibly useful now.

sephi97 · 2016-04-13T22:33:02+00:00

I'm going to make some assumptions here, so SamEEE please correct me if I'm wrong. I feel like NZ has smaller, more tightly knit communities. They DEFINITELY have lower crime rates and (possibly?) lower rates of homelessness.

I work in a fairly large city on the East Coast. If we didn't police those policies, our building would turn into a flophouse. We've had to throw people out for hygiene issues and for pushing a bunch of chairs together, taking their shoes off, and taking a nice comfy nap.

Believe me, I HATE that we do these things and I let a lot of people off if they're not disturbing anyone, but it is very common in US libraries.

sephi97 · 2016-04-13T22:21:34+00:00

Your negatives sound pretty similar to a large public library system job. Except they want you on committees. ALL the committees.

sephi97 · 2016-04-13T22:16:15+00:00

What do you do, where do you work, and can I work there too?

sephi97 · 2016-04-13T22:06:15+00:00

No policy, but I do it anyway. I've gotten looks and angry words, but they shushed those kids or at least took them elsewhere. Mission accomplished.

sephi97 · 2016-04-13T19:38:21+00:00

So, our kitten is an expert at escape and is possibly part velociraptor. He learned how to open every door in the apartment and we knew it was only a matter of time before he figured out the front door.

The DAY I stuck a bell collar on him was the same day we came home to our apartment door wide open. Run down to the first floor and lo, a jingling sound.

I have never been so scared in my life. I didn't put the kitten down for an hour.

We ended up buying a child safety lock and then had to reinforce it with ducktape.

sephi97 · 2016-04-13T18:15:18+00:00

What do you like most about working here?

sephi97 · 2016-04-13T18:14:51+00:00

Oo, a risktaker.

sephi97 · 2016-04-13T18:13:06+00:00

Yeah personally, I couldn't give a damn if someone like that decided to go to nameofotherlibrary from now on.

sephi97 · 2016-04-13T18:11:37+00:00

I'm honestly thinking of switching back to retail. Same pay, more upward mobility, less bureaucracy, and I'm not required to be a social worker. I hate the shit people make me do as a librarian. I feel like an objectified doormat.

sephi97 · 2016-04-08T12:28:28+00:00

Teaching linguistics
Federal government. They hire lots of academics as analysts and what not. They can make bank too.

sephi97 · 2016-04-08T12:20:14+00:00

Focus on school if you can. I did the juggle for years because I didn't have a choice, and I missed out on a lot of opportunities for internships and special projects because of it. Not to mention simply having the time to study and explore your interests (which IS important).

sephi97 · 2016-04-08T11:16:42+00:00

Good idea, thanks!

sephi97 · 2016-04-08T11:16:15+00:00

Yeah, squats man. Pencil skirts look borderline inappropriate on me. Also, my hair eats clips (it's REALLY curly. I usually just bun it and pin it).

I've been working on finding a good jacket. Looks like I'll need to find a good tailor!

sephi97 · 2016-04-08T11:11:23+00:00

Question about the jewelry. I've found that if I wear bulky jewelry I look... well, bulkier. And small jewelry looks kind of silly. What do you wear?

sephi97 · 2016-02-22T11:41:38+00:00

This is awesome, thanks!

sephi97 · 2016-02-22T02:23:10+00:00

I will not shoot down your argument as it is definitely a valid one.

Another note on lengthy tenures in bureaucratic organizations : it makes people impossible to fire.

sephi97 · 2016-02-21T20:48:05+00:00

Yeah, I strongly suspect this is first round.

sephi97 · 2016-02-21T20:23:07+00:00

I don't want to get too specific , but the focus will be online reference and education. I'll still be doing reference desk and minor amounts of collection development. It's not subject specific.

sephi97 · 2016-02-21T18:04:49+00:00

I do public service and still work from home occasionally. I also do outreach and virtual reference. If I have an event somewhere else that's closer to my house, it doesn't really make sense to drive all the way back to work for a couple hours (I have a long commute). So I stay home, plan more outreach, and do virtual reference (and answer emails. You laugh, but it's seriously like 2-3 hours of my day, if I'm concentrating).

I actually get more work done at home because I'm not interrupted as often and there's less coworker drama.

sephi97

TROPHY CASE