New Job

So today was my first official day of my new job as a Librarian I. Even though I don't yet fully have my master's degree (I hope to graduate this summer), the powers-that-be in my library decided that I was far enough along in my program to qualify for a full-time entry-level librarian position. I didn't really think I had a shot to be honest, but I updated my resume, filled out the city's application, got called in for two panel interviews, and here I am! And my supervisors have been incredibly flexible - they are letting me work part-time until I finish this semester (possibly longer) and are genuinely supportive of my possible decision to take the full 6 months of maternity leave provided by the city (unpaid, of course). I know that legally they couldn't NOT hire me just because of my pregnancy, or deny my maternity leave, but when you think about it, between school and pregnancy, they hired me knowing that I might not actually be full-time (and thus take on my full responsibilities) for almost a year. I think that's pretty cool, and I'm excited to officially start my professional career working for an organization that's willing to show this much support for its employees.

Anyway, today was just a sort of introduction-to-the-position day. I'll be having a lot of those for awhile, which is fine by me since I'm not exactly looking forward to all the mistakes you inevitably make when starting a new position. Fortunately, my three previous years with the library as a "paraprofessional" (such a silly term), mean that I'm already fairly adjusted to the organizational culture and general policies and know most of the staff decently well. So I really just have to learn the details of the specific tasks I'll be responsible for - but to me at least, those are doozies.

My position is responsible for three main functions: 1) assisting the public at the reference desk (and over the phone and e-mail), 2) developing a section of the collection (so basically, selecting and weeding materials for a certain range of Dewey numbers at the main library and all 9 branches), and 3) MIS (which stands for Municipal Information Services and basically means I'm an information officer of sorts for the city and city personnel). The first task I've already been doing for about 2 years - so no sweat. The second two are brand new responsibilities to me and the last one especially will be a big responsibility - and the area in which I'm most likely to make a lot of "newbie" mistakes. Any city staff person can call or e-mail me with a city-related question, and I answer it for them. The intimidation factor comes with the fact that it may be the mayor's office calling, or the city attorney, and they can ask me about ANYTHING, and expect a thorough, accurate, and relatively speedy reply. Or, what is equally likely: the mayor's office, the city attorney, the city manager's office, and some dude from Public Works can all call with bizarre, complex questions AT THE SAME TIME and each tell me that they need the information ASAP. This type of situation, I am told, is not unusual.

So anyway, that's what I'm in for! And the truth is I'm really excited about the position and looking forward to learning a TON about professional library work, higher-level research, and city service. I'll keep you posted about my progress and how the new job is going (because I know you are all so excited to get detailed, behind-the-scenes information about reference librarianship). Sadly, for confidentiality reasons I won't be able to go into much (if any) detail about the questions I get (especially the MIS ones) - and believe me, it's mostly the never-ending flow of bizarre questions (and equally bizarre patron behaviors) that make my job interesting. But I'll find a way to share as many funny stories as possible.