Wherein I Network.

Today was a good day folks of mine.

Ok, so today one of my temp co-workers and I got the collection arranged by theme.  It's not shelving by call number, but at least all the Edu 01's through SP 74's are grouped together as they should be (with enough room on the end of the shelf to accommodate any that have fallen through the cracks) and I must say the collection looks a helluva lot neater.  I pulled a few from the shelves to fix cat n' class errors (All my fault, yes) but today's real shining accomplishment was going to the College Library today to meet with the librarian there (you may have noticed - No Names.  Yes, well, people should expect a little privacy in other people's blogs methinks).  It was really cool, she wanted me to show her the finer points of LibraryWorld.  She isn't fond of manuals I learned, and like many in our craft, finds little time to spare for it.  If you show me a underworked librarian, they aren't doing their job or are doing it really really well.  There is no middle ground.

Anyway, back to the LibraryWorld.  I really enjoy this ILS, but I enjoyed showing the finer points of it and talking up the craft even more.  Being able to really talk to a fellow professional about what we do is such a break from the usual.  I also showed the Delimited Text Translator on MARCEdit, which is made by p. Reese from Oregon State University Libraries (check it out, even if you aren't a cataloguer or in tech services, it's good to know, and makes things easy).  We had a very productive meeting, I got to show off my skills and I just enjoyed talking about MARC and having people understand what the hell I'm talking about. I really hope they get it online, she seemed very interested in having an ILS in place before she retires so there is something for her successor to hit the ground running with.

Also, GREAT NEWS, as I was cataloguing DVD's today, I stumbled upon a DVD with over 600 photos on it from the Climate Conference I worked out... which meant, pictures, of me, doing my thing and looking all suited up.  This should make up for me not taking any pictures of it.  Won't the family be pleased?

haha.  I must say, I am really pleased with the way things worked out today.  I think... I think I've gotten over the hump.

The main collection room will be rearranged according to the floor plan I drew up this month too!  Mostly, it's just to make more room in the centre of the room to make getting to the printer/copier easier, but still... I feel pretty chuffed about it.

That's about it for now though.

Wherein I Network.

Today was a good day folks of mine.

Ok, so today one of my temp co-workers and I got the collection arranged by theme.  It's not shelving by call number, but at least all the Edu 01's through SP 74's are grouped together as they should be (with enough room on the end of the shelf to accommodate any that have fallen through the cracks) and I must say the collection looks a helluva lot neater.  I pulled a few from the shelves to fix cat n' class errors (All my fault, yes) but today's real shining accomplishment was going to the College Library today to meet with the librarian there (you may have noticed - No Names.  Yes, well, people should expect a little privacy in other people's blogs methinks).  It was really cool, she wanted me to show her the finer points of LibraryWorld.  She isn't fond of manuals I learned, and like many in our craft, finds little time to spare for it.  If you show me a underworked librarian, they aren't doing their job or are doing it really really well.  There is no middle ground.

Anyway, back to the LibraryWorld.  I really enjoy this ILS, but I enjoyed showing the finer points of it and talking up the craft even more.  Being able to really talk to a fellow professional about what we do is such a break from the usual.  I also showed the Delimited Text Translator on MARCEdit, which is made by p. Reese from Oregon State University Libraries (check it out, even if you aren't a cataloguer or in tech services, it's good to know, and makes things easy).  We had a very productive meeting, I got to show off my skills and I just enjoyed talking about MARC and having people understand what the hell I'm talking about. I really hope they get it online, she seemed very interested in having an ILS in place before she retires so there is something for her successor to hit the ground running with.

Also, GREAT NEWS, as I was cataloguing DVD's today, I stumbled upon a DVD with over 600 photos on it from the Climate Conference I worked out... which meant, pictures, of me, doing my thing and looking all suited up.  This should make up for me not taking any pictures of it.  Won't the family be pleased?

haha.  I must say, I am really pleased with the way things worked out today.  I think... I think I've gotten over the hump.

The main collection room will be rearranged according to the floor plan I drew up this month too!  Mostly, it's just to make more room in the centre of the room to make getting to the printer/copier easier, but still... I feel pretty chuffed about it.

That's about it for now though.

Ok, back online

A very brief one tonight folks.

So I am finally back online, my internet was out for two weeks and since I use WebDewey and LibraryWorld to work from home...

*Screams of Anger*

... ok, better now.  This was a real pain in the ass that I medicated by going to the public library to read more often, and that was just to deal with entertainment issues.  I finally got it back online from the lazy bones internet company, who apparently have no idea of the concept of "speedy service" and not "3 days after you tell use about it", after letting my landlord know... about 9 days after it was already out.  Why the delay, well she was out of the country and her phone doesn't get service off the island and the staff at her office didn't know who to get in touch with (though they should have).

I am somewhat mollified by her decision to knock $50 USD off my rent, but still, the lost productivity meant I had to go into work earlier and stay later (my tummy was a rumbling some early evenings) to keep up and still my workload suffered... somewhat badly.

It's boiling hot down here all the time and I gave my fan to one of the new workers (she's middle-aged and dresses conservatively... I bet she's boiling too), so I'm covered in sweat everytime I get home, it's really taking a toll on my good shirts, plus... its HURRICANE SEASON!!!!

Ok, that was a *little* overwrought, but it's going to be raining a lot more these days and I don't like that, mostly because I brought no rain clothes with me (it didn't occur to me at the time).

On the work side of things... they are actually chugging along quite well.  The data entry staff are working out alright, I have to fix a lot of mistakes they make and go over some stuff again and again, but it still saves me time on rather time consuming tasks, so I am very down with that and I got the floor plan worked out (presenting on it tomorrow).

I've also started working on the CD's, DVD's, VHS and microfiche (our books and serials were way more numerous) and I hope to have those done soon, hopefully in two weeks.

My processing supplies arrive in two and 1/2 weeks, so then we can start in on the labeling work and barcoding, always fun.  In a Zen sort of way, I'm actually quite serious, you can get into a nice groove in labeling books and it is a very good way to break up the monotony in Tech Services.  I spent some time in Tech Services as a Student Assistant and I like to think of getting a little back to where I 'came up' as it were.

I also have to start training whoever is going to be the main circulation staff member...  One of our secretaries is overworked in my opinion and another doesn't exactly have the self-motivational qualities to be effective in that role.  *sigh* Decisions, decisions.  I may advise for one of the data entry clerks to be taken on in that capacity, but I don't think that is an ideal situation either.

Oh well, when you're the johnny on the spot (contractually) you've got to make the decisions in this regard.  I'll think of something.

For now, I'm focusing on getting those last few books and serials in, and then getting the CD's and DVD's ready for data entry.

I'm very happy with things now.  Yes, things are super busy, but that is adventures in library science for you.