Dec. 21-27, 2015

Monday : Awards storytime Presenter Guide; e-mail catch up; Roam: pull for displays; search for flannel board clip art.

Tuesday : Smyles; roam; e-mail; cut flannel boards; customer service

Wednesday : "OFF"

Thursday : HOLIDAY

Friday : HOLIDAY

Saturday : Assist teens with Wii (check out remotes, change games, etc.); catch up on e-mail; Best Books Blog; sort MLK bookmark contest entries; journals

Sunday : Assist teens with Wii (check out remotes, change games, etc.); MLK spreadsheet for bookmark contest; journals

Questions/Comments/Concerns :  

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Dec. 14-20, 2015

Monday : Craft: make & prep for Thursday; MLK contests: print & distribute; roam: tidy, displays, chalkboards

Tuesday : E-mail (until there was no server); Smyles; journals

Wednesday : Project Smyles hello/goodbye party; cut tissue paper for Thursday's craft; roam 

Thursday : Award storytime; Holiday craft; set-up, do, clean up

Friday : Talk & Write program; roam: pull books for displays; add to Best Books list; Best Books Blog

Saturday : OFF

Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns :  

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Dec. 7-13, 2015

Monday : Wrap displays in bows; Awards storytime; roam; weekly reports

Tuesday : Awards storytime; MLK preparations; e-mail

Wednesday : Awards storytime; read review notes of retreat; send out MLK documents; customer requests 

Thursday : Awards storytime (finish); City Holiday Party; 

Friday : Help patrons; roam

Saturday : OFF

Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns :  

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Nov. 30-Dec.6, 2015

Monday : SICK
Tuesday : Pick up holds; staff picks (MG's & Tiffany's); breaks; Awards storytime
Wednesday : OFF
Thursday : YS Retreat
Friday : Awards storytime; MLK essay & bookmark contest; MLK Meeting with Vista Volunteers; roam
Saturday : OFF
Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns :  

For next week : 

Frustrations :

I felt an extreme amount of frustration on Friday before our meeting with the Vista Volunteers.  From my perspective, this is what happened before the meeting started:

When I first let the volunteers into the study room, I sat with the ones who were there and chatted for a few minutes.  Not having a watch, or not being able to see a clock from where I was, I went to the desk to check the time.  I had a brief conversation with Bri when I saw it was 4:25; she told me that she hadn’t seen you recently.  As I picked up the phone to call your office, you called me into the study rooms.  Upon reaching the study room, you told me (in front of all three Vista Volunteers) that I can always call the PIC phone if I need to reach you, and that “everyone here” knows you are the PIC.  This conversation frustrated me on a lot of different levels.

1. First, and primarily, I was reprimanded in front of three strangers with whom I’m about to enter a professional relationship.  Not only had we never met prior to this day, but I was completely belittled by my supervisor immediately preceding our meeting.
2. I rarely know who the PIC is.  I do, however, know that it is always Tanvi on Friday afternoons as long as she is working.  Tanvi was working on that Friday afternoon.
3. I have been under the very distinct impression that the PIC phone is to be used for emergency, PIC-related issues only.  It never would have even occurred to me to call the PIC phone to remind someone of a meeting.  In my mind, if that person is the PIC (and I’m aware of it) and is late to a meeting, they are likely dealing with more important issues than the meeting.
4. This conversation made it sound like I was responsible for your lack of being on time.

I was incredibly frustrated that I had to immediately put aside my heightened emotions to be able to focus on the meeting.

I’m choosing the written form to tell you this because I feel like I can better express myself that way; however, I don’t honestly know the best method to send this to you.  I haven’t gotten any responses from my questions/frustrations I’ve posted before on this blog.  But I also haven’t gotten responses from my frustrations when I send them to you in an e-mail.  I am, however, hoping for a response.

Nov. 23-29, 2015

Monday : VACATION
Tuesday : VACATION
Wednesday : VACATION
Thursday : HOLIDAY
Friday : HOLIDAY
Saturday : Lots of e-mail; read procedures; update YS Display spreadsheet; write "Selma" description; Wii
Sunday : E-mail; storytime in a bag (Awards): Holds & Presenter guide; Investigate Beanstack; Wii

Questions/Comments/Concerns :  

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Nov. 16-22, 2015

See Time Study spreadsheet.

Nov. 9-15, 2015

See Time Study spreadsheet.

Nov. 2-8, 2015

Monday : Finish, print, hang new Harry Potter shelf talkers; put up YS display (Natives) and take old ones down; Roam; start writing Best Books Blog post
Tuesday : Smyles; Best Books Blog post (finish)
Wednesday : SICK
Thursday : OFF
Friday : Proof Chris' end cap signs; Best Books Blog post; roam: clean/update chalkboards
Saturday : Best Books Blog posts (multiple); journals; remove Tiffany's staff picks
Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns :  

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2015

Monday : PS Tour stats; work on Bear Storytime in a Bag; roam; Pull Native American/Alaskan books for YS Display
Tuesday : Create PS Storytime for November; check out YS display books; create record set; attend MLK Celebration Meeting
Wednesday : System was down; help patrons as best we could
Thursday : OF
Friday : (No School); Trick-or-Treaters; design new Harry Potter shelf talkers
Saturday : OFF
Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns :  

For next week : 

Frustrations :  It was difficult to work on Wednesday when we had to turn off all our computers because of the virus.  The difficult part, however, was not the inability to use the computers, but the fact that I got conflicting information from three managers (and a great deal of "no information at all") about what was going on.  Had someone simply said there is a virus and Mark is trying to stop it, it would have been clear what was going on.  In the meantime, I didn't know if there was a reason to panic, let alone what resources I could use to assist patrons for the few hours I was on desk the rest of the afternoon. I felt like I was needlessly working blindfolded and felt a great deal of frustration since I could not serve our patrons to the best of my ability.  FWIW. 

Oct. 19-25, 2015

Monday : Read Crucial Convos; breaks; journals; roam
Tuesday : Smyles visit; roam
Wednesday : OFF
Thursday : Help patrons at desk
Friday : Pull books for "Bookland" program; augment "Bear" storytime
Saturday : Roam & Breaks; read crucial conversations; "Bear" storytime
Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns :

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Oct. 12-18, 2015

Monday : Catch up on vacation e-mails; Roam
Tuesday : Smyles visit; journals
Wednesday : Smyles; Sing and Dance with Me program planning; Lost (autistic) child search
Thursday : OFF
Friday : Place holds on Tiffany's Staff Picks; adventure book suggestions for updated Bib; DCs
Saturday : Finish DC; evaluate storytime bags; roam; Plan YS Displays
Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns :

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Oct. 5-11, 2015

Monday : VACATION
Tuesday : VACATION
Wednesday : VACATION
Thursday : VACATION
Friday : VACATION
Saturday : VACATION
Sunday : VACATION

Questions/Comments/Concerns :

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2015

Monday : Crucial Conversations convo with Jerri; Bear storytime; put out 7th Grade BoB Shelf Talkers; pull books for Scary Stories display
Tuesday : OFF
Wednesday : EDC class on nutrition & exercise; help LOTS of patrons; coordinate the changing of the displays for next week when I'm gone
Thursday : Meet with Jerri about Bear storytime; pull scary books; make Staff Picks posters for display
Friday : Journals
Saturday : OFF
Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns :

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Sept. 21-27, 2015

Monday : Work on pancake flannel board; read new policies; weekly report
Tuesday : Project Smyles; Bear Storytime in a Bag
Wednesday : Bear Storytime; YS Display
Thursday : OFF
Friday : SICK
Saturday : Bear Storytime; journals; movie party (SRP)
Sunday : Bear Storytime; print & cut out Battle Shelf Talkers

Questions/Comments/Concerns :

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Sept. 14-20

Monday : Finish Transportation Storytime; set up Wii Party & wait for participants; clean up Wii Party; complete DC; Put up WAITING display cube; start putting up BANNED BOOKS display cube 
Tuesday : Project Smyles; finish BANNED BOOKS display; lettering on Zombie Trophies
Wednesday : Lettering on Zombie Trophies; start Best Books Blog post
Thursday : Finish 7th Grade Battle Shelf Talkers; finish Best Books Blog post
Friday : Library Tour for Smyles group; Proof QR Codes for Shelf Talkers; finish pancake storytime; start "Storytime in a Bag" storytime
Saturday : OFF
Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns :

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Sept. 7-13, 2015

Monday : HOLIDAY
Tuesday : Project Smyles; Roam; Best Books Blog; Weekly Reports
Wednesday : (Project Smyles); design sign for "WAITING" Display Cube; change record sets for display books (hold --> display location)
Thursday : Finish "WAITING" sign; add items to YS Displays record sets; create 7th Grade Battle of the Books Shelf Talkers
Friday : Roam; shelf talkers; 
Saturday : OFF
Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns :

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Aug. 31-Sept. 6

Monday : SICK
Tuesday : DC Frustration!!; Project Smyles; Finish Bug storytime for this week
Wednesday : Start planning Rhyme Time storytime; walk Rosie through annual visits/tours at the library for Smyles
Thursday : OFF
Friday : Plan storytimes; roam; accountable kids 
Saturday : Write and plan rest of September storytimes; check out holds for storytimes and YS displays; create record set for YS Displays
Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns : I was extremely frustrated when the system for DCs broke down again this week and my DCs were all checked in prematurely.  Then after sending the e-mail to you and Val, etc., my frustration was compounded because I never received a response (especially knowing that Val is now out of the office).  I totally understand not getting back to me quickly about EDC classes or something that is not important.  This, however, I see as a very important issue (especially since so many staff members were required to re-do work as a result).  Then when the only response that I got was being told that that I had to continue follow the system even when it isn't working,  my frustration level went through the roof.  

In the end, I felt ignored and that my concerns were trivialized on the whole.

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Aug. 24-30, 2015

Monday : Plus/Delta for SRP; Review policies (at Jerri's request); watch "Angry and Alarmed" webinar; investigate Bookopolis; chalkboard cleaning experimentation; new end cap displays; re-do the App Tally sheet

Tuesday : Project Smyles; journals
Wednesday : YS Display planning: place holds & pull books for Henkes display; change Held books to "display" status (school books); journals

Thursday : OFF

Friday : YS/PS meeting; check out books for "Waiting" Display; plan storytimes for next week
Saturday : OFF

Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns : 

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Aug. 17-23, 2015

Monday : Library Tour Notebook; YS Display sign-up

Tuesday : Library Tour Notebook; E-Champions meeting; breaks; reference request: absentee father books for 5th grader

Wednesday : (Smyles); help many patrons

Thursday : OFF

Friday : Smyles; research Curiosity Creates grant; journals; plus/delta for SRP

Saturday : OFF

Sunday : Roam/Breaks; clean windows and cube displays

Questions/Comments/Concerns : 

For next week : First Week of School!

Frustrations :

Aug. 10-16, 2015

Monday : Staff Picks; work on Library Tour Notebook; extended puppet show (see below)

Tuesday : Library Tour Notebook; help patrons; journals

Wednesday : OFF

Thursday : OFF

Friday : Library Tour Notebook; Staff Picks; help patrons

Saturday : OFF

Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns : I had a really great interaction with some kids on Monday night.  There was a large group of kids that were being "watched" by 2 older siblings.  The 3 younger ones were getting quite restless, so I encouraged them to have a puppet show.  They played with the puppets for a good 10 minutes while I sat on the other side interacting with them.  (Another two-year-old even joined in the fun!)  I got the feeling that it wasn't something they often did, and I was really grateful to have the leeway to be able to do this with our customers (and that it's encouraged!).

For next week : 

Frustrations :

Aug. 3-9, 2015

Monday : Read E-Champions packet; catch up on e-mail; pull display books & display them

Tuesday : Smyles; finish reading E-champions packet & watch TEDx talk about Energy Conservation persuasion; help millions of patrons; place holds for display books

Wednesday : YS Display books (change from HOLD to Display shelf location)

Thursday : OFF

Friday : YS Display books (HOLD --> Display); roam; journals

Saturday : Journals; Best Books Blog

Sunday : ZOMBIE chalk board end cap; Best Books Blog; journals

Questions/Comments/Concerns : 

For next week : 

Frustrations :

July 27-Aug. 2, 2015

Monday : Read Crucial Conversations; create YS Display spreadsheet (& fill in)

Tuesday : Smyles, Roam, staff picks; help millions of patrons; sort through YS computer cards (change PINs when necessary) and determine which are actually lost

Wednesday : OFF

Thursday : Help many, many patrons

Friday : Change HERO display for Back-to-School Display; roam; hectic afternoon with disruption reports, etc...

Saturday : OFF

Sunday : OFF

Questions/Comments/Concerns : It's been my habit to do my Weekly Reports on Monday evening when I work.  I know you said that you have a reminder to check for them on Mondays, so if you'd like me to do them earlier, please let me know!

For next week : 

Frustrations :

July 20-26

Monday : Discussion with Jerri about schedules and Superhero Ball; cut out masks for ball

Tuesday : Smyles; review with Jerri; 

Wednesday : OFF

Thursday : Cut out masks; create new blogger template

Friday : Transfer posts to new blog; roam

Saturday : Transfer posts to new blog; journals

Sunday : Staff picks; design YS Display Cube procedure

Questions/Comments/Concerns : 

For next week : 

Frustrations :