4/28/08

4/28/08
3-7 pm
4 hours

I've discovered that one of my useful skills is finding books others can't seem to. I've impressed a few of the others with this a couple of times, and even myself! I'm very proud that I was able to do this, and it has boosted my confidence in my own competency. Shelving really helps you get to know the collection and which books might get put in the wrong spot. Understanding this fact has helped me to find books patrons are looking for multiple times. Keeping a watchful eye on books that have been placed on the shelves wrong, and pulling them right away also helps. Being aware of this helped me to find a book that even the Director couldn't pinpoint.

I'd noticed recently that there had been an unusual amount of 'lazy' shelving this month. Books shoved on top or in random empty spaces. I was sure to mention it because I was finding it really annoying how often it was happening. I personally think it was one of the newer volunteers, but I won't dare judge because I can't know for sure.

I was able to more quickly spot miss-shelved books, too. Even though I know the basic sections of the Dewy classification, I knew the shelves so well that I could take patrons directly to an area for what they were looking for. I could do this more than half the time without looking in the catalog for books. This internship experience has given me great confidence that as long as I'm alert in whatever position I get after graduation, I will get better and do well. I've always had trouble with my confidence and this experience has greatly helped me to realize all I need to do is gain an understanding and familiarity of the patrons and collection, as well as the needs of the community.

I was able to finish the Newberry's today. I was so happy to finally be done with the list. I'd made sure all the books (winners and honors) had stickers, as well as the sound recordings. If books were damaged, I passed them on to Cheryl. I gave her the list of which ones they didn't own, as well as the few that were checked out and hadn't been given a sticker.

The night was fairly busy with computer use and check outs, keeping Marie and me busy most of the time. I was glad that I got to sit at the main desk for a while as Marie did the holds. This was my last night and one of my favorite things to do was chat with the patrons

A busy monday

4/21/08 3-8pm
5 hours

My time today was packed full of things to do. I didn't have the Newberry list, so I moved on to doing Printz Awards stickers. This was a much smaller list so I was able to get the books done very quickly. Most of my other tasks were upkeep. I came across a few broken video cases, so I switched them out for new ones. I also put some blue tape (their color code for Juvenile Literature) on some new Non Fiction books. If there were any older copies of the new books, I had to take them off the shelf and give them to Cheryl.

I was excited to work on another display, this time for Earth Day. When I went to find books to set out, I discovered most of them were already checked out. So, I looked for some books about recycling and Earth care to set out.

I was able to help a patron find some maps he needed. While I was at the main circulation desk, I took care of fines people had to pay, a problem with a claimed return (one of the DVDs was on the shelf), and as always, of course, checking out items for patrons.

4/15/08

4/15/08
5-8 pm
3 hours

Originally my reason for coming in on this day (since normally Tuesday evenings are well covered) were two-fold. It was Brian's birthday so he was taking off to celebrate and I was going to help by giving a short tour of the children's selection to a local Daisy troop. However the tour was canceled at the last minute. Cheryl also thought it would be good for me to see the evening story time being given by Mary Ann Owens.

Until the story time, I continued my task of finding Newberry winners and putting stickers on the spine. I covered the desk for a while as the other clerk did a few other tasks. Until the story time started, I checked books in and aided patrons in checking out their materials.

The story time began at 7pm. The library advertised it as "Stories From Around The World" with Mary Ann Owens. The attendees were the Daisy Troop that were going to come in early for the tour. Mary Ann's theme was Native American Stories. She had a small set up with a cloth that had a Native American pattern, small battery lights that looked like candles, Native American story telling dolls and one small tea light candle. The real candle was a wonderful mood setter.

I was glad Cheryl suggested watching because it's great experience to see different story telling styles. I liked this one because it felt like I was sitting around a camp fire. She didn't have any books, but were telling the stories from memory. The best thing that I think she did was involve the kids within the stories. She gave them parts and they got up and moved around as she directed them. They really enjoyed it. For her other story, she used stuffed animals and handpuppets to enact the tale.

After the story time, there wasn't much time left before closing. I returned to the circulation area to help finish checking people out and checking in returned items. The last half hour on a Monday night is always the busiest with last minute patrons.