...in the library? You've gotta be kidding me. This definitely isn't the intersession days of good ol' Clark. Actually, I meant the number two, more specifically, two for two -- two blogs on two consecutive days (not like number two, you dirty minded folk!). Life long learning doesn't take days off.
As the San Jose Public Library approaches the 50 million mark , I tilt my head in retrospective of my 3 1/2 years working at the San Jose State University branch(aka Martin Luther King, Jr. Library). Actually, I've worked for SJSU for nearly 5 years, the first year toiling between Clark and the Senter Road Storage, driving unwilling shelvers/pagers in an attempt to uncover the Guamanian ghosts said to be haunting the compact shelving units. More on that in the future (there has to be a web program designed to hunt creatures from the beyond on Learning 2.0, right?). Instead, with a box of Reduced Fat Wheat Thins at my side and a remote eye on the "counter," I'll steady the ship of remorse on the recent future.
I was certifiable. Name in bright lights, on billboards, in the post office, my picture with a bull's eye on it. I swear my Norwegian spies discovered photocopies of my mug gracing several cubicles with thumbtacks thru my eyes. Public Library Enemy number #1. Still am, to tell the truth, though I'll admit I've toned down a bit and as a result am not the hunted prey I once was. I started out here steppin' with my left foot and tripped up a bit during the feeling out period, but I've managed to survive. Other people, including an ever-changing opposition, survived as well. Don't get me wrong the rebellion hasn't been squashed, we just more covert about it, not in a back stabbing sort of way. Honestly, I'll make it known if you have crossed our paths (Admin re: the cutting back of Student Assistant budget) and eventually be reprimanded about it. We just more legit about it, taking it thru the proper channels and not wasting what little energy we have left after dealing with certain patronage. That's life long learning -- rather than toiling in mud you learn to grab a stick, a vine, a union rep, something to get you out. And trust me, I'm always getting stuck in mud.
So after 3 1/2 years and 50 million check outs/renewals, what got drilled into my head? I've learned to say...
Lovingly,
Neil,
Library YES Man
and
Corporate Shill.
