Growing Pains

There is a open position for a new branch manager for a small library the system is opening in Wrightsville. At first I must admit I was excited about the possibility of applying despite several reservations. 1) Wrightsville is about a 25 min drive from my house. The branch I work at now is about 15-20, so not much difference, but enough. 2) My daughter's father lives in Wrightsville, enough said. 3) The most important reservation: I dont feel like I'm ready to be a branch manager yet. I have now only been at CALS for 2 years. I'm only ankle-deep in my career. So, I'm going to take a pause for the cause, stand back and wait for time and luck to be more on my side. I also can honestly say that I still very much like my current position. I have been recently given more responsibilty which I also really like. The best is yet to come, however, and things are only looking up. I labeled this post growing pains, because I feel like that is what this transition feels like. Its a growing experience that can have a little painful edge to it, but its nothing that is unbearable. In fact, its not really painful at all, its more....subtle and settling almost. It's really hard to describe. At any rate, Im not making much sense, so I will end the post by saying this: Time is the one thing in the world that can never be truly redeemed. Therefore, I will use it to my advantage for if nothing else, fear of letting it control me or worst yet get away from me. That is a place I never want to go, not even for a visit.

Irritations-Warning!!! This is a gripe post

Have you ever been in just a mood that for personal reasons finds you irritated sometimes with the smallest infractions? Well if you have than you will understand my post today. My dismal monetary situation has not had me in the best of moods, and though I know it will get better and I will continue to put on a brave face its really starting to bother me. Not so much that not having money part, as the part of me feeling like I need to be making more money than what I am. I recently attended a committee meeting at a library in my system. One of the members is leaving the system taking a job out of state making probably considerably more than what she is making here in the very poor state of Arkansas. She has a MLS (masters in library science which is the same degree I have, and the degree that is ususally highly recommended and in most cases REQUIRED for the library field) People who have graduate degrees are definitally in the minority in the state of Arkansas. I think I read somewhere like only 7% of the population. Coupled with the fact that Arkansas is a poor state, I feel like I will be getting top out pay easily within the next 10 years. (at least thats what my ambition tells me) But that leaves me in the meantime waiting....and waiting.....AND waiting. Both for more responsiblity (aka upward movement) and pay (speaks for itself) On some days the attitudes and actions of others (either co-workers or patrons) can have me in a pensive mood. Being in this mood allows me to reflect on my situation from different angles. If an opportunity arose, of course, I would take it, despite my loyalist leanings to my branch. I have decided to make a concerted effort to make myself more visable in the system, so in the future when I apply for positions in management at least my face if nothing else about me will be known. I will let my work speak for itself, and in the interim continue to do my best work. Of course good and bad days are a given, but as long as one stay focus on the short-term goals while keeping long term goals in the peripheral,the only thing stopping you...is you. As FDR said, "There is nothing to fear, but fear itself."

Programming and some more stuff that's just on my mind

I am really liking the "Pre-School Pow Wow" program that I was recently part in charge. I recieved word that a academic academey may be bringing in a lot of small children to the programs next month, so I have been trying to adequately prepare ahead of time for them. As odd as this may sound, I have notice lately that I do some of my best thinking in my jacuzzi tub. Just the other night, I came up with a craft idea that I think will work well for 18 months-2 year-old toddlers. I think I might just try to do a series of crafts and call it "On a Stick." For example, on Valentine's Day we are going to do "Racing Hearts" on a stick. This is the only craft, that I think 2 year olds maybe able to handle. I was trying to decide if I should do away with the craft all together, for that age group, and just instead let the 3 and 4 year olds do crafts. But instead, the "On a Stick" concept I think will be successful. I also hope to maybe do some collaboration with the African-American book store across the street from the library to do a Black History program for the 3 and 4 year-olds. In the past, I have expressed some frustration with the fact that I feel like my degree has yet to yield me any fruit. Well, I think that 2013 maybe the year that at least some budding will appear. I am still more than confident in my abilities to do the best job I can, and despite occassional slips in judgement, I think my career is heading in the right direction. I have a tendency to second-guess myself, ALOT. However, I never seem to do it in the instances that I should. Nine times out of 10 when I know that what Im thinking about a certain procedure is right, I still ask anyway. I dont know why I seem to doubt myself, but I guess I just dont like giving out incorrect information and it coming back to bite me. I also try to be as nice and pleasant to be patrons and co-workers as I can. This can be hard to do for one particular co-worker, that due to upbringing and other factors cannot properly socialize with people and constantly takes out her anger and frustation of the world on those around her, making the work environment, at times, very tense. My additude toward her varies just as much as her mood swings. Sometimes I go out of my way to be nice to her, other days she gets on my nerves and her nasty additude can sometimes get under my skin. All in all though I put my best foot forward everyday, just thankful that I have a career that I love. After only 2 years, Im still very much a toddler myself in this field, but I have already felt that I have learned so much.

Library Programming 2013

I am very much looking forward to the programs the library where I work are doing next year. What I am most looking forward to is seeing my ideas for programs created, developed and executed. For the last 6 months are so, I have really been wanting to really get into programming more permanently. My boss told me just today about efforts to re-introduce story-timeish types of programs with the "Pre-School Pow Wow" program. It sounds interesting, and I know it has the potential to be a very successfull program, and I intend to do all I can (or all that I am allowed rather) to make sure that it is. I enjoyed putting on the programs I did for the past Summer Reading Club and for the most part I deemed it a success on not just my part, but all my co-workers and the library as a whole. Currently I am already thinking of ideas for this year's Summer Reading Club which has a garden-like theme; "Dig into Reading" for the childrens theme. "Beneath the Surface" for teens, and "Ground-Breaking Reads" for the adults. I thought of food crafts ideas just as making mud pies (which would probably messy, but still worth maybe trying), making bug treats with crackers and veggies (via Pinterest inspiration) rice-krispe treat balls with food coloring making them look like globs of dirt, and so on. Other craft ideas I thought of, include making paper ant farms, and garden knomes. All in all, it appears to be full speed ahead in 2013. I can't wait to see what will happen! I know the best is yet to come.

Bad News Comes in 3s

Hello all, I hope everyone is having a better day than I am. My sister told me today that she cant come home for Christmas because she just started a new job and doesn't think she will be able to take the time off. I am already feeling defeated after getting turned down for two jobs at the same branch. I know yes, I will have to get over it and evidentually I will. I go through this period where I get sulky for a day or two, and then I'm ok. Yesterday when I got the emailed about not even getting the interview I was confused and upset. Now, Im angry. Angry because I feel like I was duped. But the angry will pass as well, and life will inevitably go on. I hate to play the race card, since so often that is what black people tend to do when they dont get things they think they deserve, but I think it goes without saying that for African-American women we are disadventaged 2X: We are women and we are black. My mother has told me often that because I am a woman and a minority I have to go above and beyound and outdo the competition and the work world if I want to get ahead. I took that much to heart, and I still do now. But the question is, when you have done all you can do to a certain point, whats next? I guess the obvious answer would be to get on pushing, and thats EXACTLY, what I will do!

All Things Librarian-Pinterest

I love pinterest! Lately I have been looking for craft ideas on it, but I also have a board that has funny and interesting sayings on the subject of libraries, books, and librarians. Check it out! Let me know what you think. http://pinterest.com/ronica1983/all-things-librarian-humor/

Experience is King

So, this morning I was emalied some rather suprising news: The programming position I applied for did I only NOT get, but I will not be even interviewed for it. My first reaction was to laugh, I mean REALLY? I interviewed for a postion just weeks ago that was higher, and now I dont even get an interview? It was rather disheartening, and disencouraging to say the least. It lead me to doubt applying for ANY positions in the system for at least 6 months to a year. Thataway I can have more "experience" in some capacity. This is beyond frustrating to me, but I will stay positive and continue to focus on my present duties. I want to do so much more, and I welcome the chance to have more responsibilites. I guess for now I will have to continue to be patient. I am also now convinced that there was a reason, why I did not get either position. What the reason is, I dont know presently, but I have a strong suspension to believe that it will come out later. This could just we wishfull thinking on my part, but nonetheless, I have to move on.

Disappointment and Endless Possibilites

So I found out a few hours ago that the assistant branch manager position I applied for I did not get. I am disappointed? very...but I am very hopeful for the future. I let it be known that I feel that my immediate interest and thus my primary focus will be on library programming. My boss was kind enough to mention to me that she would look into getting me into programming on a more offical and permanment basis. I very much look forward to this. On another note, I was encourage by the interviewer to keep applying. This I will also do. But for now, I want to focus on my weakness that cost me this position. Supervisory experience. I understand that I have limited supervisory experience, but the problem enlies with how I can obtain more? Its times like these that make you wonder was getting a masters degree worth it? When employers are forever harping on wanting experience workers. Well how can you gain experience If no one has ever decided to give you any? I am not mad about this, more like frustrated. But at the end of the day, the position wasn't meant for me. Better things are coming, of this I am sure. For now I will continue to put my energy into my everyday duties and expand my horizons in the field of programming. Whether it be children, teen, or adult, doesnt matter. I AM GAME! Wish me luck. :-)

Ronica Carpenter, MLS

Ok so it has been forever since I have been on here! But I am proud to say that I graduated from Texas Woman's University with a Masters in Library Science!! It was very long 2 years, but I know it was well worth it. I am still early into my career as a librarian and I think by taking the high road and get the necessary education first I did a great service to myself. If I would have waited later, say after I became a manager, thou it still would have been doable it would have been harder. So I must pat myself on the back and also say that I look forward to the next chapter currently unfolding. I want to try to update my blog more often with my personal thoughts on my career. Currently I am working as a audiovisual and assistant children's programmer in a public library system. I recently (just yesterday) turned in my resume for an assistant manager position. Though I am very optistmist, and anxious, I will wait and see how things go! :-)

Top 25 most famous librarians in history

Top 25 most famous librarians in history I found this on another blog and thought it was interesting. I never knew that Mao Zedong was a librarian! go figure!

The beginning of a new semester

I am just now beginnng the fall semester of my library science classes. This semester I am taking Cataloging and Classificaton and Information Sources and Services. The latter is the last core class, I have left to take. Cataloging is something, I dont really plan to ever do as a librarian, but I figured what could be the harm in knowning more about. It the job of the librarian to be a source of information, and in order to do this, librarians need to have knowledge on a variety of topics. Bibliographic records are the foundations of all library material. Each item has its on invididual record. How these records are created serve as one of the fundementals of librarianship as a profession. In this sense, I look forward to cataloging. As for the other class, information sources and services also represents a vital function of a library. In order to better serve patrons, in any given library environment (public, school, academic, or special) the first and most important occupation is providing for the informational needs of patrons. In taking the class, I hope to learn more methods of information discovery, that I can use daily at the public library I work at. As always, I will continue to do my best in updating my work and progress. Wish me luck! :-)

More work updates

So yea, I know its been awhile since I put more of my masterpieces from library school on here, but the wait is finally over. Here is the blueprint for a project proposal im doing for my public libraries class: The project is called Bouncing Books for Babies. (I admit maybe not the best title, but it was the only one I could think of so Im rolling with it lol) -BBBP is a storytime program that incorporates music, movement, and education designed for infants and toddlers ages six months to 2 years.

-Project will use a variety of formats including but not limited to print, audiovisual, and computer software.

-The program is targeted at the undeserved age group of babies and toddlers. Thus the program will need the participation of adults with very young children in the surrounding community.

-Project goals include the introduction of educational elements such as colors, alphabet, words, and reading along with an introduction to library services and materials to both patrons and their children.

-Project will work in conjunction with local daycare facilities for marketing/advertising purposes in addition to future co-affiliated programs

My Review of Patricia McKissack's The Dark Thirty:Southern Tales of the Supernatural

Author Patricia McKissack's 1992 Coretta Scott Award Winning book, The Dark Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural is one of five books I reviewed and analyzed written by McKissack. As our final project in my children's and YA literature class, we were given the option to write a profile of a living author that would include a lengthy biography, reviews of five books and an annotated bibliography of all children's and YA titles written by the author. Here is my review of one of Mrs. McKissack most well known works. It is a collection of African-American ghost stories. The "dark thirty" is the half hour before sunset. This is the time of day where evil in its many forms comes out to create chaos and keep you awake at night. Or so goes the urban legend. Typically Im not a huge fan of scary books, or really scary movies because Im a scaredy cat! lol So needless to say, I read this book during the daytime hours. Though its nowhere near Stephen King horror or even R.L. Stine suspenseful, its intriguing enough to keep the reader wanting to read the next story. At the beginning of each story, McKissack gives a brief summary of the historical background of the story, given the stories a touch of realness. Here is my review, enjoy! :-)
McKissack, Patricia. The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Inc, 1992. Ages 8 and up
Summary: A collection of 10 southern ghost stories. The Dark-Thirty is the half hour before sunset. It is at this time that monsters would come out. The stories are rooted in the African-American oral tradition. “The Legend of Pin Oak” is the tale of runaway slaves that turn into birds after jumping to their deaths to avoid slave catchers. “Justice is the story of a Klan member’s mysterious comeuppance after he murders an innocent black man. The “11:59” is an urban legend native to black train porters. The “Gingi” is an African folklore inspired ghost story. The last story was a “semi-autobiographical” tale of the young Patricia facing down a chicken coop monster.

Analysis: As with most urban legends, these tales have a basis in some truth. They were inspired in part by the stories told to McKissack by her grandparents. In her author’s notes she encourages readers to read these stories during the dark-thirty when it is “neither day nor night and when shapes and shadows play tricks on the mind.” The stories are written in such a way as to convey suspense. “Nothing was clear anymore. It didn’t matter, because it was daylight. He could set, maybe open the station. Where were the keys? It was so hard to remember. That’s when he saw the curious hazy substance on every windowpane in his bedroom.” (From: “Justice,“ pg. 29-30)

Potential Use: This book would make an excellent Halloween display item, and it could also be used in a classroom discussion on African-American oral tradition its components and origins.

Reader’s Appeal: Children who like ghost stories will enjoy this book. The black-and-white illustrations are lively despite the absence of color, and portray a sense of foreboding and fear. See the paranoid Hoop Granger washing his window, over a black shadow. (pg.31)

Value-added information: This book received both a Newberry Honor Award and a Coretta Scott King Award.

Review excerpts: “Each tale is told in a simple, lucid style, embellished by a few deftly inserted macabre details and by one of Pinkney’s dramatic, swirling scratchboard illustrations.” Kirkus Reviews Oct. 15,1992

Review:Jump at the Sun: A Novel

Jump at the Sun is the story of a woman trying to define her life as a mother. Motherhood and the sacrifices that result is a theme throughout the novel. Grace's mother Mattie was abandoned twice by Gracie's grandmother Rae. This abandonment causes Grace's mother to try to "buy" her mother's love at one point,at the cost of her, Gracie and her other children's well-being. Mattie tries her hardest to be the best daughter, but comes to the conclusion that in the end "{Rae} was a terrible mother." For Gracie, her two daughters make up the sole of most of her existance, but she feel trapped and is suffocating under the constant stress. She plots throughout the story to find her grandmother and then possibly leave her family, before she "dies" mentally from the pressure. Unlike her mother and other family members, Gracie can relate to her grandmother Rae and how she must have felt when she left Gracie's mother. "She had no other choice," saids Gracie. Gracie is a socologist. She tries several times to validate on a social-science level her feelings toward motherhood. At times, she loves being a mother, at other times she wants to leave and never come back. The novel make me think about my own feelings toward motherhood. I wonder how different my life would have been had I not had my daughter at 19. Who's to say? Through the help of my own mother, I was able to finish college so I did not become a statistic like so many girls that leave college because of pregnancy, never to return. Are the sacrifices we make as mothers suppose to "pay off" at some point? Both Grace and her mother Mattie felt this way, but Rae did not. The only thing Rae understood was that she lived her life and did what she had to, to survive. No more, no less. Isnt that really what any of us can hope for? As mothers do we desire some type of pay off? or watching our children grow into their own reward enough? It is an interesting and complicated enigma. I highly recommend this book. In fact when I get my shelving together for my personal library I will be purchasing it. Thanks Portia!!!

Librarian Lays Down the Law

She Just Snapped! This is what can happen when library staff dont have their coffee breaks in the morning! lol Whoa

My Review of Who Comes with Cannons by Patricia Beatty

This semester I am taking a Children and YA literature class. We are currently doing book analysis on titles in the historical fiction genre. I chose this book, Who Comes with Cannons, because its background historical event is the American Civil War (my personal favorite war) Yes I said that. Im a total history nerd, and historical fiction is my second favorite genre, over historical biographies and non-fiction titles. Historical fiction novels, especially juvenille titles, have to find a way to make history come alive, while trying to tell a good story. Often children, did not care for history as a subject because of the infamously boring history textbooks. They focus too much on facts and not enough on quality in my opinion. Below is my review of the book about a 12-year old Quaker girl sent to live with relatives in the South, in the year 186l. The first year of the Civil War.


Beatty, Patricia. Who Comes with Cannons? New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1992 ages 8-12.

Summary: In 1861, Truth Hopkins, a 12-year-old Quaker from Indiana, moves in with her Uncle and his family in North Carolina after her father's death. She discovers that her new home is a station on the underground railroad. With the start of the Civil War, Truth and the lives of her new family is never the same. They witness firsthand the horrors of war, but come to understand the true meaning of giving and the importance of family.

Analysis:Beatty stays true to the genre, and follows the guildlines of good historical fiction novels outlined in the textbook. First, she has the protagonist is a young girl faced with obstacles she must overcome in a setting set before her time. It is clear, however, that she did the necessary research on the Quakers. At the end of the book, in the author's notes, she describes their origins, customs, and beliefs. She does this also several times during the story. Truth and her family would attend "First Day" meetings at a meeting house, where members or "friends" would seek out the "inner light" of God. When someone (and it could be anyone: man, woman or child) chose to speak they could, expressing what God had put on their hearts to say from their inner light. Because the Quakers did not condone slavery and help escaped slaves to freedom, they were treated often badly by their slave owning neighbors. In the story, at one point, Truth's male cousins were beat up, because their neighbors believed the Bardwells where "stealing" property {slaves}. Quakers are also pacifists and do not believe in fighting. Truth's cousins are captured by Confederacy forces before the first battle of the Civil War at Manassas Junction (Bull Run) and force to stand out front, in the hopes they would be killed. Some confederate solders referred to Quakers as "cannon fodder." (pg. 68) Thus she does not sugar-coat the realities of the time. She describes the locations of she discusses in the book, and how they are related to the events of the Civil War. At the end of the story, Truth is trapped at her cousin's wife house in Bentonville, because of the battle of Bentonville. The only Civil War battle to take place in North Carolina in 1865.

Potential Use: As with all historical fiction novels, the highlighted historical event or setting can be used in a social studies or history class of older children. In the case of this book, the American Civil War is the background and Beatty provides a plethora of information about it including, how battles would start, what weapons were used, how men were drafted into the war, the outcomes of important battles (such as Gettysburg), how the war affected those on the homefront, and so on. Beatty also discusses at length, the way of life of the "Society of Friends" since the protagonist of the story is a Quaker.

Readers Appeal: Children will admire the bravery of Truth in the story. She goes above and beyond to save the life of a family member. For children, whose families are important to them, they will be able to relate to this story. They will also be able to have the Civil War seem more personal to them, in compassion to how it is described in textbooks. Thus, they may come away with a better appreciation of the past.

Value-added information: Patricia Beatty and her husband author John Beatty (both now deceased) were great admirers of the history of the state of California. A "John and Patricia Beatty" award is given annually to a book that most depicts awareness of California and its people.

Review excerpts: "The late Beatty— dramatizing the Quakers' courage in opposing slavery, staying out of the war, and enduring harassment while their men and property were conscripted by armies on both—gives a new perspective on what it meant to be an active, dissenting minority amid the strong feelings on both sides of this bitter conflict." Kirkus Review. October 15, 1992.

New Path

I have decided to turn over a new leaf, with my blog. I recently discovered that I will have to get a record of my work to complete my library science studies. Thus, it seems logical to update my blog with new information on my progression. As of today this is my first entry. Right now, Iam taking two classes. Children and YA literature, and Information and Communication Technology. I will be establishing links and updates on projects that I am doing in my clases on a monthly basis. Also anything that I might find interesting during my coursework. It is my hope that this blog will function to assist me in my career goal of becoming a librarian. I know that it will :-) And I look foward to starting down this new path.

The National Archives

The National Archives in Washington D.C. is the "record keeper" of the country. All business conducted by the United States Government is kept here for both historical and legal purposes. The public is allowed free access to many of these documents free of charge in most cases. I chose this site because it deals with archives on a national level and details the importance of both the procurement and preservation of these documents. I found this site using the very popular search engine google.

Here is the link:

http://www.archives.gov/

Blacks serving during Civil War

This is a picture of the 26th U.S. colored Volunteer Infantry on parade in Camp William Penn in Pennslyvaina circa 1865. This picture is a living testatment to the degree in which many African-Americans felt that it was thier duty to fight for thier rights and freedoms. Millions of blacks would fight for the Union during the war between the states; (1861-65) This image was taken from the National Archives in Washington D.C.

LibLit-Citation Pearl Growing search

Using the same sets as in the three previous search methods, I found this article that most closely deals with my topic of domestic and foreign policy during times of war:
Title: In Time of War
Other Titles: American libraries during WWII
Personal Author: Becker, Patti Clayton
Journal Name: American Libraries
Source: American Libraries v. 34 no. 5 (May 2003) p. 54-7
Publication Year: 2003

I went to the section under subjects war/information policy/history and found another article:

Title: Government Wartime Propaganda Posters: Communicators of Public Policy
Personal Author: McCrann, Grace-Ellen
Journal Name: Behavioral & Social Sciences Librarian
Source: Behavioral & Social Sciences Librarian v. 28 no. 1/2 (January/June 2009) p. 53-73
Publication Year: 2009

"public policy" is another term for domestic policy. Therefore both these articles are relevant to my chosen topic. The use of the citation pearl growing method has achieved a level of sucess not previously obtained through the other search methods. It is thus my favorite of the four search methods.