Monday, April 30, 2012

Cloudy Skies Ahead

Via Flickr:
Aqua Tee: Merona
Yellow leaf print skirt: H&M
White flats: Xhilaration
Timepiece necklace: Etsy

Looking a little forlorn here. Accurate.

The semester is over is less than two weeks. I am basically done with classes and just have to work a bunch of extra shifts. As tired as I am, I am glad for it because it distracts me from the fact that I will be a librarian without a library to work in. And that is a little sad for a lover of books and people.

But a cloudy path, while uncertain, can still be an adventure, a learning lesson.

"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds." -Edward Abbey

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Another red and black combo

Via Flickr:
Red jackie cardigan: J crew
Black dress: Mossimo Supply Co
Brown belt: Target
Sandals: American Eagle

Red is the color of my cardigan and of my feet. So last summer I had the best pair of brown sandals from American Eagle. I wore them everywhere, with everything. Because I did that, they were torn up (the bottom was separating from the sole). Luckily, AE had a similar pair on their website and when a free shipping deal came along, I pounced.

I know I need to break them in (this happened last summer also) but man my feet hurt! I can't wait to get to the point where they are so comfortable I can walk all day and be comfortable. However, today was not that day. I've got my feet in an ice bath and a cold beer. That should take care of things!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

School Marmy


School Marmy, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Brown Shawl collar cardigan: Mossimio
Cream lobster tee: Old Navy
Navy skirt: Jcrew
White flats: Xhilaration


I hate how I forget about this sweater. I am totally out of it in the mornings and when getting dressed I reach for a cardigan first; it's pretty easy to grab the brightly colored ones first.

But I love how this fits me and the pretty shawl collar. Every time I wear it (which is every few months) I say: "You need to wear this every day!!"

I like how it makes me feel a bit like a character in Anne of Green Gables, most likely a school marm teaching in a one room school house: grading chalk boards, handing out dunce caps, and probably taking a lot of field trips to an actual field. That sounds pretty amazing but, since that probably won't happen, I will settle for awesome public librarian in an Anne Shirley cardigan.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Black white and red all over

Via Flickr:
Black jackie cardigan: Jcrew
Stripe tee: Heritage 21
Red skirt: David N
Black flats: Steve Madden

What is black white and red all over? A zebra with a rash! Or a tired librarian?

I had a total zen moment the other day. I have to work 10 extra hours each week for the next 3 weeks (includes this week) because I am under hours (through no fault of my own- they just guessed at the hours my extra assistantship would need and sort of over guessed). Anyways, I was covering the circulation desk yesterday for someone because I needed the hours. I was super grumpy about it because I was tired (I had an amazing weekend beer tasting with friends) and I had to miss my new favorite show Once Upon a Time (it is so cheesy but I am soooo addicted to it). I did not really want to do this shift but I ended up leaving it in the best mood. The desk was crazy on Sunday night but I helped so many people: I helped clean table for someone and helped some one print up a design project so it looked right and got someone a study room they needed. It was the most busy shift ever but I left on a total high. I just felt so good at 9 pm when I was leaving the library.

So the good news is that I have for sure found the right profession for me; I remember doing one of those Meyer-Briggs tests I am but I am totally a nurturer (I think ISFJ?) because I just love to help people (even though I am an introvert). Just seeing students leave the library with what they need or helping them out of a jam....it makes me tear up a bit.

The bad news is that the semester is almost over so my job as a grad assistant at this library is almost done and I have no job lined up.

I am in the right profession, but I don't have a job.. Grrr. At least I have something to float on while I look for that job.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Where to look for library jobs

Not like I have a job yet but I sure am looking hard for one!

I thought I would share some of the sites I have been using to hunt of openings.  An important note: I am looking primarily for public library jobs in the Midwest (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana) so there may be sources for other states that I am not aware of.


General job postings (these sites post all types of jobs for all places):

-ALA Job list (better for academic jobs but still worth a look): http://joblist.ala.org/

-LIS Jobs (not updated as frequently as ALA but they have some different jobs): http://lisjobs.com/jobseekers/job-ads.asp

-LibGig (consistent postings and a nice variety of jobs):  http://publicboard.libgig.com/

-Society for scholarly publishing (nice if you are looking to get into acquisitions and collection building at a publisher. Something different!): http://www.jobtarget.com/home/home.cfm?site_id=9110



State specific job  postings:

-I Need A Library Job (check out the Job pages in the menu at the top for lists of state specific resources): http://inalj.com/?p=1441

-Wisc Jobs (Wisconsin):  https://wisc.jobs/public/index.asp

-RAILS (Illinois): http://www.railslibraries.info/jobs

-SLIS (Indiana): http://www.slis.indiana.edu/careers/view_job_titles.php

-Joblist (Iowa): http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/i-j/joblist/joblist

-Michigan jobline (Michigan): http://www.mla.lib.mi.us/jobline

Listservs:

-LisJobs: http://www.ifla.org/II/lists/libjobs.htm 

-School specific listservs: Many library schools have their own job boards or email listservs.  Take advantage of this!!!


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Spring fling


Spring fling, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Navy jackie cardigan: J Crew
White embellished tee: Merona
Blue print skirt: American Eagle
Gold flats: Mossimo Supply Co
Wooden bird heart pin: Etsy

Total bike riding weather- it is warm but not too warm and also deliciously breezy. This skirt kept me nice and cool today at the reference desk.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Earth and Sky


Earth and Sky, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Aqua cardigan: Jcrew
Green dress: Merona
White shoes: Xhilaration
Timepiece necklace: Etsy

Busy day: Meeting, reference shift (with printers offline...fun!), quick dinner date, and then late night library office hours (where I helped someone find newspaper articles about the conflicts in the DRC!).

Apparently, I have just uploaded my 200th photo in flickr and I am being pushed to buy a pro account. I'm going to see what this means- I think older photos would still appear on the blog but they may be hidden on my flickr page? I am cheap so I may have to find another way to get my photos on here. Oh joy! Technology.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Fall back


Fall back, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Gray cable sweater: Gap
White tank: Old Navy
Skinny jeans: American Eagle
Brown boots: Call it spring

Despite the fact that it is April, it was cold today. Since I had an early class and was a bit cold and confused this morning (or, really, every morning) I grabbed the warmest sweater I own. I felt a little frumpy today in class and at the reference desk but I was oh so warm and toasty. Lovely!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Crockpot Chicken Chili

One of my goals (you know, besides getting a job) is to cook some different recipes this semester and to use up the huge store of ingredients I have (since I will be moving in July, job or no job).

I always always have bags and bags of frozen chicken breasts in my fridge. They are cheap and easy to work with- I always have a few thawing in the refrigerator. My standby quick dinner recipe is to quickly marinate one in oil, balsamic vinegar, and Trader Joes' 21 seasoning salute for 30 minutes and then bake it. Good, but totally boring.

I love chili but don't really mix it up- I either make a delicious vegetarian 3 bean chili or beef chili. So when I saw this recipe I thought: "Yes! I can mix up my dinner menu and use up the boxes of plain old chicken I have in the freezer."

This Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili recipe (with accompanying jalapeno corn bread recipe) is easy and delicious. I'm glad I ventured out.

Now I have to go as the chili is almost done, the corn bread is cooling, and I am in need of a second beer. I still have a few more weekends of being a grad student and I tend to enjoy them!

I think I may also venture into making this chocolate chip cookie in a mug.  Yum!!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Snapshot Day


Snapshot Day, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Pink floral infinity scarf: American Eagle
Blue button down: American Eagle
Skinny jeans: American Eagle
Brown pointy flats: Xhilaration

It is ALA national library snapshot day- libraries take photos, interviews, and record stats to document a day in the life of the library. I've been taking photos of the library all morning so it felt a little tiresome to take my own photos. But here it is: a day in the life of a library grad assistant (hopefully soon to be reference librarian!).

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Blue bird


Blue bird, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Aqua Cardigan: J crew
White ruffle tank: Old Navy
Gray Skirt: J Crew
Black tights: Target
Brown belt: Target
Brown pointy flats: Xhilaration
Heart bird pin: Etsy

I love this cardigan and I love this color. My future house might end up painted entirely in aqua/turquoise. It's like a robin's egg or the sea. It's a great color.

In other news I got another interview, this time at an academic library. The job itself is interesting but I am still pulling for a public library job. One gripe is that there has been a serious lack of adult reference jobs in pub libs in the midwest lately. If I see another children's librarian job I might scream. Come on adult reference librarians- retire!!

If this keeps up I might have to just go into libraries I want to work in and talk myself up around the water cooler, Funke style:

Monday, April 9, 2012

Double V


Double V, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Cream v-neck cardigan: H&M
Green v-neck tee: Mossimo
Navy skirt: J crew
Gray socks: Forever 21
Brown Boots: Call it Spring
Owl Necklace: Forever 21

V-neck tee shirt + V-neck cardigan? Why not!!

So I have 5 weeks left of this semester. That is crazy scary!! I am pumped to be done with school but I will miss my current job as a grad assistant. I like consistency the most so my biggest struggle is dealing with not having something consistent after the summer. Applying for jobs is tough all over: emotionally, mentally, spiritually. It hits you everywhere.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Put a bird on it

Via Flickr:
Teal cardigan: J Crew
Gray tee: Mossimo Supply Co.
Jeans: American Eagle
Gold flats: Mossimo Supply CO.
Bird heart pin: Etsy

Best part of the day: when the barista saw my bird pin and just immediately blurted out "Put a bird on it!" We then talked about our mutual love for Portlandia while she was making my latte. Awesome!!

The best part about being a grad student is having lighter work days amidst the crazy days: today I just had a meeting and light reading to accomplish so now I get to watch the Food Network and prep the ingredients for some delicious lemon raspberry muffins I am making my mom for her birthday!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Pumpkin and apples

Via Flickr:
Rust cardigan: Mossimo
White ruffle tank: Old Navy
Red Skirt (thrifted): David N
Brown Wedges: Kenneth Cole Reaction

Not exactly spring colors but at least it's not that same old green cardigan. My goal was not to wear that cardigan. My alternate goal should have been not to take a picture after my bike ride so my skirt wouldn't be wrinkled but you win some you lose some!

Other than that, things are quiet: no appealing jobs to apply for, work projects almost finished, and typical weekly reading for class. Same old same old. Sometimes the life of a librarian is predictable and sometimes crazy- I like a mix of both!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Cardigan with Plums

Via Flickr:
Book: Chicken with Plums
Olive jackie cardigan: J Crew
White yoke dress: Old Navy
Brown belt: Target
Brown wedges: Kenneth Cole Reaction

Looking over my Flickr page....apparently I am obsessed with this cardigan. I just did laundry this weekend so it was so temptingly clean looking I picked it again!

Anyways, besides repeating cardigans, I am repeating life: class, work, and job apps. But it's not so hum drum- I get to buy the newest psychology books for the library (based on Choice Reviews) and it has been fun reading about all of these new books.

I've also been reading Game of Thrones. OMG. Still so good. I am still surprised that I love it so much that I have been getting into bed earlier than usual just to read it! Life can never be dull with good books.