Happy Holidays!!

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

Some thoughts about technology

Well, today was an interesting day at the reference desk. I usually have computer questions and issues to sort out for patrons, especially because we have a PC Reservation system and it's not perfect. Today I had a lot of requests for in depth help for people who'd never used a computer before. I also learned that as our desk gets so busy, we can't sit next to people and teach them how to sign up for an email address. It just isn't feasible. This lack of computer experience seemed so strange to me when I first started this job a month ago, but I'm realizing that while there are many tech savvy seniors, there are many more not at all savvy ones. We do offer a basic computer instruction/intro class for patrons and it's filling up for the session next week. We try to offer it about once a month. This is all a new world to me and it's good to be reminded that many people don't know how to operate in an online environment.

Meanwhile I'm glad to report that I work tomorrow and then I have two days off in a row! Friday and Saturday I have to myself. I need to finish up Christmas shopping and take care of the marketing too. I also have plans to watch the next disc of the first season of Big Love. Fascinating show.

Not much

I'm excited that I figured out how to link this lovely blog up to my Facebook account. That's really all I feel like saying for the moment. Today was an odd day at work. Usually we're bombarded more in the morning, but the afternoon was more busy. So now I'm tired and going to make some dinner. Tomorrow is my evening shift and Ringling Bros is coming to do a kids program. Should be fun!

Job Update

Well, this is a long overdue update! I've been at my job for about a month now. I'm learning something new everyday! I work the reference desk for about half of my shift and when I'm off the desk my current duties include evaluating donated books that we put out for the Friends of the library for sale and doing ILLs. We do a lot of requesting of books between the 13 different branches of the Palm Beach Co. system, but we do a great deal of ILL within the SEFLIN system as well. A lot of our patrons enjoy doing research on all kinds of topics so I get a fair amount of obscure titles to order. :)

And that takes me to our lovely patrons! Right now we're in "season". This translates to the busiest time of the year. All of the snowbirds have come down to South Florida fleeing the snows and cold of winter. Here on the east coast, we primarily have people come down from NY and other New England locations. Subsequently this translates to a highly concentrated Jewish population too, which is new for me. Having lived in the Bible belt of TX for so long and then in River Forest, I got used to Catholics and Southern Baptists. So I'm learning alot about Judaism. I'm enjoying that. :) Sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed by older people though, I must say. Most of them are very nice, but some are on the needy side. I'm learning how to draw the line at what I can do for them because we are such a busy branch. I'm also learning that my RA skills are being put to the test! These guys read, read, and READ! :) Some of them are willing to branch out and try something that's not Patterson or Grisham, and some are not...

When I work my one evening a week I get to see the other side of Boca. They are a fair number of college students and hs students who come in to use our resources and study areas in the evening. I feel a bit more balanced when I see them. :)

So overall, the new job is going well. I miss seasonal weather. Not so much the crazy ice, etc. But the weather here is still a bit warm for me... I know I shouldn't complain though! I'll be going home to Houston for a few days at Christmas, so it'll be a bit cooler there than it is here.

I hope everyone is having a happy holiday time!!