I WISH I WORKED AT THE LIBRARY

I can't begin to tell you how many times people have said that to me, "I wish I worked at the library....." always followed by "it's so quiet." or "it would be nice to sit around and just read books all day." or "what a calm and peaceful job." I can't help but think that the people who say that to me don't visit the library. Especially this summer. There have been very few peaceful, calm or quiet moments to be found.

There have been eighteen four-hour-shifts that had well over 400 circulations. Every Internet machine has been full all day most every day. We have made copies almost daily for take home activities for kids. I have catalogued over 600 books, videos and DVDs this summer. Twelve summer reading programs were presented. 750 kids signed up for Summer Reading Read-at-Home program. Which included getting a prize for visiting the library 15 times each.

Here are some sites you can look at to find out if you really are "Librarian material":

* http://librarycareers.org/ is your premier resource for exploring career paths. Visit this website today to learn more about a future in libraries.

* Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO, publishes a Library Workers Fact Sheet with trends and salary data.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics
Librarians - http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos068.htm
Library Technicians - http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos113.htm
Library Assistants, Clerical - http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos147.htm

If you want to stay busy and can do a lot of multi-tasking, then the library is the place for you.

Connie