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Can I just say how nice it is to work for people who are compassionate about the people who work for them and passionate about their business? From my boss all the way to THE boss I see that on a daily basis, reiterated and reinforced, no matter the external nor internal conditions. I do have a wonderful life. Addendum: I do realize I have coworkers who's mileage will differ and I am saddened to hear that.

A little self congratulatory post...actually, that's not true. The following is an email my boss got from her boss (the details have been changed or omitted). Hi Jai's boss, I just want you to know that Jai handled this situation with grace and conviction. Mr. patron was quite upset about the red tape, etc. and requested that we have everything worked out by the morning for his kids. I was able to just hand the information to Jai, who immediately knew who I was talking about and had been in contact for months with the proper department. Then, I asked Jai to contact Mr. patron, which he did. Jai is a true role model for public service staff! Signed Senior Administrator. I was quite shocked when I saw the email (my boss forwarded it to me). I didn't think I had done anything more than what she asked. The guy was pissed and he had been given the run-around, mostly because we had questions about how to handle his situation and no one would get back with us with an ans...

I have just completed my first week as Customer Service Specialist for the Nashville Public Library . When the announcement was made I got several honest congratulations but I got several tepid, even disappointed congratulations. Most of the latter came from people who I have observed as not the most customer service oriented and I imagine they pictured themselves dealing with the "problem" patrons and just couldn't imagine that being a good job. Honestly, I worry about that too but for a different reason. It's not logical but I will take some issues of complaints personally. I think it is usually related to how the patron approaches me. I can't put my finger on what all that means but it does have to do with the way they approach me. The other part of it is that I want to be understood and I don't think I am necessarily confusing but when it apprears to me that someone doesn't understand what I am saying I want to explain more and that usually frustrates ...

I got a phone call to remind me that I am scheduled to take the GRE tomorrow morning. Yipes! Let's hope all goes well. If my practice test was any indication I should do well in verbal, ok in quantitative and who knows on analytical (they can't score the practice test versions). I can't wait to get it overwith!

Why is it that most of the librarians around here have short hair? I am sure there is a generational aspect but it seems pretty universal.

FIVE THINGS: Surprising in libraries Among the people who have had library jobs: • Casanova . In 1785, the classic womanizer started work in the library of Count von Waldstein of Bohemia. He stayed on the job for 13 years. • Ben Franklin . He and some friends founded the Library Company of Philadelphia in 1731. But they had to wait for the books to arrive from England. The next year Franklin became the librarian. • Mao Tse-Tung . He was an assistant, in 1918, to the chief librarian of the University of Beijing . He was not promoted, and so looked elsewhere for work, eventually becoming China's dictator. • J. Edgar Hoover . The man who would become FBI chief -- and widely known for secrecy -- got his first job as a messenger and cataloger in the Library of Congress , where you can read about millions of secrets. • Golda Meir . She was a Milwaukee public librarian before becoming prime minister of Israel. Technorati Tags: library , history , career

BBC NEWS | UK | Librarians 'suffer most stress' Librarians are the most unhappy with their workplace, often finding their job repetitive and unchallenging, according to psychologist Saqib Saddiq. As soon as I get this job they release this report. Of course, I can see it coming. I know exactly where it gets repetitive and unchallenging. This probably explains the dour look on the faces of some of the long time library staff. Even though today was crappy I am having a good bit of fun. I am trying to appear enthusiast not arrogant and we'll see if and when it pays off. Technorati Tags: library , career , stress

Tara & Jai 2 Originally uploaded by bmitd67 . So, I started working at the Nashville Public Library . One of my coworkers is Egyptian , he's been in the US for a couple of years, very nice guy. Last week, during my training we were sitting across from each other and he looked at me and said I looked Egyptian. Very interesting, I've never been told I looked "ethnic", non-African-American. I don't know, what do you think?

I started a new job this past Monday. After years, I mean something close to 8 years, I have been trying to get a job with a library system in the Nashville area. I have interviewed with Vanderbilt 3 times and I have interviewed with Nashville Public Library at least 3 times. It's been extremely frustrating and disheartening but the library got a new HR director and I got a call. I interviewed twice and they apparently loved me. I was glad and sad to leave Landmark . I worked with a wonderful group of people but, my God, it was insanely boring. I am sad to say that I spent more time surfing the net than entering my data. Our goal was to verify artists and tracks with either a 2nd database or the product itself; all day, album check, track check, and add data. I loved the fact that we were working with new, proprietary software. When systems went down we would play name that tune. I had IM to talk with a couple of friends outside the office and, of course, we had Krispy Kreme Donu...