Thing 2: Be Social!

And this is the point at which I have to resist the incredibly pressing urge to flee.


I just got back from the American Library Association annual conference (loved NOLA!) a couple of weeks ago. While I was there I spoke to my boss (with whom I attended the conference), another librarian I had met previously online, the concierge in our hotel, the guy in the tours kiosk at the end of Canal St., the librarian sitting next to me on the shuttle back to the hotel on Sunday evening, and the wait staff at the various restaurants where my boss and I dined. That's it. The greatest networking opportunity for U.S. librarians ever, and I spoke to 3 librarians, 2 of whom I already knew. Good thing I wasn't looking for a job!


And then there's the issue of my not wanting to say anything that won't have a profound impact on someone somewhere (and what are the chances of that happening?).


All of this makes the concept of commenting on someone else's blog, or having someone read what I've written, seem extremely unsavory. I can't imagine that I will ever actively seek out the opportunity to engage in this kind of "conversation." (Keep in mind that I don't know what the hell I'm doing here!)


To make things even more interesting, I--like everyone whose CPD23 blogs I've read--selected the ones I would read based on their creative names. See, this is precisely why I was so late getting on board with 23 Things. I couldn't come up with a name. Every time I thought of something tricky, I'd find that it was already in use somewhere out there. I am simply not a creative person. Damn. (Marian the Librarian, what were you thinking when you encouraged me to do this???)


Anyway, I'm very impressed with some of the blogs I've read, and with what everyone has to say. As a relatively new librarian, I feel that it's more my place to observe and to absorb. Eventually, when I'm more comfortable with and have a better grip on the issues surrounding the profession, perhaps I'll have something of value to say. Or possibly not :)

My very first blog post...ever (or "What the hell am I doing here?")

So I'm getting a late start.


And I don't know what I'm doing here. But my friend and co-worker, Marian the Librarian, encouraged me to do this as we were discussing the latest 23 Things event. She said I'm exactly the kind of person who should be blogging. I don't know what that means, but it was a nice little ego boost. I mean I think it was. Maybe I'm wrong and she was actually insulting me. Either way, here I am.


I'm a really new librarian, but a really old worker (i.e., I've been in the workforce for a long time). In previous lives, I worked in corporate jobs, which I detested. I regularly sought opportunities to overthrow "the system" and "stick it to the man." This was, it turns out, not conducive to a productive work life. And I didn't fit in. My worldview ran completely counter to that of everyone else in my field. They just didn't get me, and I sure as hell didn't get them. I ended up having an early midlife crisis, calling my husband for the eight-millionth time from work, crying, and saying "I have to quit this job!!!" to which, on this particular occasion, he replied, "I don't think you should quit your job until you have something else lined up. We're going through a pretty nasty recession. But...do whatever you have to do." So I did.


Two years later, I have my MLS and a library job (I'm one of the lucky ones), and I am a happy girl. Really happy. I love this gig. I love this profession and the amazing people in it. They get me. I get them.


And I love technology. So here I am, I guess.


Professionally, well, I guess I should be blogging. Perhaps this will allow me to become more comfortable with writing for public consumption. I also think 23 Things has a lot to offer for a newbie like me. Guess we'll see...