I'm a slayer, ask me how.

I haven't been doing a great job of keeping up with posts since the library opened. I'm not sure why, we haven't been particularly busy, but perhaps that is the problem? Somehow it is exhausting to keep yourself working for 7.5 hours when there is nothing to do.

Don't get me wrong, I am glad people are staying home and those that we do see are wearing masks, dashing in for books and then leaving. We do have our three computer regulars come in, use the PCs and then leave. But otherwise it is VERY quiet. TOO quiet. Even for a library. We can't really do any programs in the branch and only one staff member seems interested in trying out online programming. The rest of my team really wants to get back out into the world and keeps thinking of ways to help those trapped on the other side of the digital divide...but there is a lot to think about that. We are waiting to hear what the schools decide to do and maybe then we can brainstorm ways to support the teachers and students.

Gave ourselves a long weekend to have some alone time while the stepdaughter was out of town with her Mom. I know we just had two months "off" with the Stay Home order but there's something about being told to stay home versus taking a little staycation.

I managed to find the Ring Fit Adventure game for Switch yesterday! I did the first workout "zone" this morning, and OMG I am worried about how I am going to feel tomorrow. I was so tired afterwards, sweating like crazy. I am really bad at squatting correctly. My goal is to try to do it most days after work, before dinner (except for Wednesdays, when I don't get home until 7:30 and will be STARVING...).

Still playing Animal Crossing because that game is crack and it taps into my need to collect ALL THE THINGS.

The news is terrifying and I have gone from just being angry and frustrated to downright scared. Especially with what is going in Portland and other cities with these Federal agents being sent in for what purpose I don't know. Talk about millions of dollars being WASTED. How about throwing that money at the schools and helping unemployed people not get evicted? Blah.

We watched the first episode of 'Cursed' and I immediately put the book on hold at the library. I remember when it came in, had a very cool cover. I'm really surprised all the copies weren't check out! Give it time. Tim wasn't into the show very much, but he said he would watch one more episode. Pilot episodes are always hard, so much to plot and explain.

Not that I have been able to find time/make time to read. I am in charge of the library book club this month and I hate book clubs because assigned reading is my krpytonite. EVEN when I am the one that picked the book!!!! But I'm trying to re-read the book as quickly as I can prior to next Tuesday. Then I will be FREE to read what I want without that looming over me and hopefully I can find something I like. Note to self, from now on, only pick graphic novels for book club. Much easier to re-read.

Did I mention that I have started playing D&D with an online group of people I met during "Stay Home" ? We've had 4 games now, I think, and I have been having a great time. Though I think what is true of dreams is probably also true of D&D sessions - no one wants to hear about them unless they are in them OR there is sex in them.

It's 10pm now so I think I will try to solve a few murders on 'Return of the Obra Dinn' and then probably try to get to bed at a decent hour since I stayed up a bit late this weekend.

I will try to be better at keeping up with posts!!

Just found out my library system will keep buildings closed until at least May 4th. This isn't really a surprise, but it is still scary/sad. Maryland has been doing its best to keep this under control, Gov Hogan is one of the few Republicans to ignore Trump and I am sure, in the end, his actions will save a lot of lives in this state. I just wish everyone was taking this thing seriously and following suit rather than it being so random all over, which means the virus will continue to spread.

Anyway, I feel like I need to get some kind of routine into my day if this is going to be my life for the next month. I didn't realize how much work kept me sane? Like, just having that routine of wake up, go to work, see people, do things...I guess I'm not great at doing stuff that doesn't have a due date so my house is just a thing that is here. But for my own mental health, I gotta do something!

Tomorrow, Dicebreaker is doing a live stream at 3pm GMT (so 11am here) and I'm going to set alarm to wake up, take a shower, get breakfast and then settle in front of the TV for that. I know that sounds kind of lame, but I feel like it is a start because right now it's like wake up whenever, do whatever, sleep whenever and that can't be healthy. We do have online work meetings twice a week though so those days will be good for getting going earlier too.

It is raining today so no afternoon walk, boo! I am going to mail off my cut up t-shirts to Project Repat (which my Mom bought for a Christmas present) and spin by the branch to make sure the place hasn't collapsed.

And now, to shower!

My library system is looking for a Marketing/Communications person with social media emphasis and also a programming person with bilingual skills. Check out the job descriptions and feel free to share!

https://www.aacpl.net/jobs-volunteer

Positive op ed about the Drag Queen Story Time event at my library system.



I'm so proud to be a part of this library system. This was a big risk, a scary thing because of the way people can be, but in the end, we had 300 happy people who had a wonderful time hearing stories, singing songs and making glittery crafts.

If you see your local library doing events like this, even if you can't make it yourself, we need to hear those positive thoughts. Reach out and tell them thank you. Give them reasons why this is important. Because you know we are hearing the negative comments loud and clear. Balance it out, be the positive comment that encourages staff to plan more programs like this.

Please share!

I'm the only person in the world who is not interested in Avengers:Endgame, but I'm happy for all of you.

I just hope you're ready for all of my fangirling and squealing when December comes around and Rise of Skywalker comes out. I understand your feelings, MCU fans, and I will have similar feelings once RoS premieres.

I had 14 people come to my photo program! For an adult program on a gorgeous spring day, I'm counting that as a success!

I'm low-key freaking out right now because TWO branch managers (one of them being MY manager) have announced their retirements on June 30th. Which means there will be TWO openings I can apply for. I feel good about it, I just have to not flub the interview like I did last time (though I don't think that was meant to be, so maybe it was the universe holding me back). No idea when the interviews will be, kinda hoping they will happen sooner rather than later, mostly because I don't want my poor branch to be floating without a manager for the whole summer.

I'll be high-key freaking out once a date is announced. Good news is that my resume is pretty much ready to go! Just need to tweak the cover letter and then review my notes like crazy.

My library system (Anne Arundel County, Maryland, U.S.) is hiring Part time circulation positions. These are kind of like substitute teachers, so if a person has a vacation, calls out sick or we just need coverage because of a training/program/meeting, you would be called. Hours are kind of all over the place, obviously, but it is a great way to get your foot in the door.

To be on circulation, you only need a high school diploma and Windows experience! And obviously good customer service skills. :)

Find the details here, please spread the word!

Feel free to pass this around to anyone you know of job hunting in the Maryland area who has an interest in working with kids, families etc. at a public library.

Library Associate Position at Edgewater Branch, AACPL

Library Associates ONLY NEED AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN ANYTHING and then lots of enthusiasm. :) This branch just lost someone to a promotion, so they need another person interested in doing programming and outreach for all ages - they have a great preschool crowd for their storytimes and they are also right next to a senior center!

How timely! With the premiere of "The Public", a movie about librarians helping the homeless people in their branch survive a arctic-level night, discussions about public libraries and public spaces in regards to our growing homeless population will most likely grow. To show that public library staff are working hard to better serve *everyone*, California Library Services has put out a series of videos to help staff hone those skills.

This series of short and to-the-point videos covers topics that I have dealt with before and it was both reassuring to see others in the same situation and helpful to get ideas for how to best approach patrons with obvious and not-so-obvious mental health disorders.

If you are interested, the series so far (6 out of 8 videos) are available to view on YouTube. If you work in public libraries, I would definitely recommend them! And even if you don't, you might appreciate the insight into what we are doing to try to make *everyone* feel safe and welcome in the library.

California Library Services Mental Health Initiative videos

So, I went into the library public restroom tonight before closing to make sure no one was in there and noticed there was something new installed above the sinks. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a small metal basket with a smartphone logo on the front so people can store their phones while washing their hands...



But then I went to check the stalls and noticed the same baskets installed inside each stall next to the toilets...



And then I thought about it. This means the person must go into the bathroom, smartphone in hand, set their phone in this basket NEXT TO A PUBLIC TOILET, does their business, PICKS UP THEIR PHONE, walks to the sink, puts their phone in the basket there and then washes their hands ONLY TO PICK UP THEIR PHONE!



I assume this person then comes into the library, uses our computers, picks up some books, uses the touch screen on the shelf checkout station then comes up to set their disgusting phone et. al. on the Info Desk to ask me to order a book for them.



Apparently this was all installed this afternoon. We are the only branch to have this as part of a "pilot program".

Pardon me while I make out with this bottle of Purell.

Some full-time and part-time positions have opened up in my library system. Feel free to pass it on.

The two full time positions are for a systems network specialist and maintenance mechanic so not exactly "library" work but you get to be a part of the fun!