Top 10 Reasons It's Scary Going To Library School

10.Drop Boxes
9. Group Projects
8. Information Overload
7. Midnight Discussion Posts
6. Print vs. Digital vs. Print vs. Digital
5. The "Invisible" Web
4. Job Candidate Requirements
3. Web 2.0 or "Today's Technology Became Extinct at 3 p.m."
2. Group Projects (yep again!)
1.Librarian-looking Shoes

Seriously, there are several fears I have as I make my way through school. Being judged as an "older" student, keeping up with work and classes, staying on top of technology. The fear of the "unanswerable" reference question looms large. And then there is the fear of jobhunting--hoping that you will find the perfect fit--for both the library and you! But the biggest fear I have is being sure I will always overcome personal traits or blips on my screen that don't jive with the role I am taking on as a representative of the ALA and a supporter of all aspects of intellectual freedom.

Do I have prejudices I need to overcome? Not really! But I am (and always will be) a Mom and I am sometimes an impatient person. Those two things are going to force me to evaluate every day my performance in my professional life.
"Not in loco parentis" is a phrase we are always familiar with -- and most of us agree that we cannot make parenting decisions for children in our library. We open up our stacks and in many cases our Internet so that we are not discriminating by age our sharing of information. We watch parents sign permission slips and drop off their charges -- and we stand on the professional side of being the librarian and not the parent. But how hard this is when the eight year old boy is surfing the online sex sites, or the 12 year old girl is hooking up with "young" men in chat rooms! Am I the only librarian-in-training that wants to shout "WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!" or do others struggle with this?

My second challenge is not prioritizing information requests. I work in a public library where many patrons are lonely, or homeless, or have minor to serious mental disorders. Ironically, some of the most unbalanced people have curiosities and intellects deeper than we can fathom. I work with a couple of professionals that show unflagging patience and utmost professionalism when answering such questions as "I need the personal phone number of the pope", or the inquiry about possible sales of million dollar houses by a man living on the streets. Each patron that walks through the door is shown the exact same professional courtesy and respect by these librarians, no matter how frustrating the circumstances. That is a lot to live up to, and a lot to think about!

Am I the only one losing sleep at night over things like this? Or are others finding the pursuit of an MLS a bit scary?

Don't Lose These Links
They might keep you grounded!

"Children & the Internet: Policies that Work." American Library Association. 2006.
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscpubs/childrentheinternetpoliciesthatwork/ChildrenInternetP

"Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks." American Library Association. 2006.
http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/interpretations/accesselectronic.htm

"Office for Literacy and Outreach Services." American Library Association. 2006.
http://www.ala.org/ala/olos/aboutolos/AboutOLOS1.htm

http://freerangelibrarian.com/

Promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month In Your Library!

Why?
According to the National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov , “13.2 percent of women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in their lives.” Many of these women (and men) are our patrons. Some are young college girls who think it is too soon to think about their health. Some may be working women who forget to check things out. Some are our seniors. Many are the ones who will fall through the cracks because they do not go to regular doctor visits or have insurance coverage.

October is a good time to:

* Put up a colorful display of relevant, current materials.
* Post website links in computer cubicles.
* Use the anniversary of “health awareness” months to weed and evaluate your sections.
* Remember to look into young adult books, both medical and “support” focused.
* Remind your staff about the importance of their own health! Show your pink ribbons!

Make sure that displays are not just in the health section of your library! Try posting one amidst the romance novels or near the checkout. Include books for all audiences – family members, fact-checkers, those that need reassurance. Include handouts that can be picked up quickly. Check to see that displays depict all age groups and races in the promotional posters or materials.

Make a menu of clickable links and post in each cubicle of the online computers. Print it on bright pink paper to catch their eye. Not wordy—just large bold graphics of website addresses. (This is a great idea to do every month with rotating themes. They are sitting in the cubicles for hours—capture their attention with colorful bulletins that require little reading.)

Bring your community resources to your patrons. Let them know about local support groups, active health organizations, and state and federal programs that provide assistance and free mammograms. For example, Illinois’ Breast and Cancer Cervical Program @ www.cancerscreening.illinois.gov provides information on who is eligible for free screening and treatment. Other links provided will lead you to traveling mammogram programs and more. Invite one of these organizations to visit your library.

Encourage all staff to get on the band wagon!
Use your student enthusiasm to make a difference!!

Don't Lose These Links!
The American Cancer Society @ www.cancer.org
National Breast Cancer Foundation @ www.nationalbreastcancer.org
Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation @ www.komen.org
Y-Me National Breast Cancer Foundation @ www.y-me.org

"Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person: A Memoir in Comics"

http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Made-Me-Shallower-Person/dp/0060789735/sr=1-2/qid=1159888580/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-6761531-3016735?ie=UTF8&s=books

"Cancer Vixen"

http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Vixen-Marisa-Acocella-Marchetto/dp/0307263576/sr=1-1/qid=1159888580/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-6761531-3016735?ie=UTF8&s=books

"When Your Wife Has Breast Cancer: A Story of Love, Courage and Survival"

http://www.amazon.com/When-Your-Wife-Breast-Cancer/dp/1596873132/sr=8-6/qid=1159887994/ref=sr_1_6/104-6761531-3016735?ie=UTF8&s=books

Psychiatric Help: Free For Students(Accepted and Dispersed)
We learn over and over not to assume or comment—but as a reminder:
* Kids looking for health information may not be doing a school project.
* Men may not be looking for information about their wives; it may be themselves who have been diagnosed.
* Women may not be looking for facts;they may be looking for comfort.Find sources that offer both.
* Do not say:“I went through this”;“My mother has cancer”;“You will be fine.”If solace is being sought say"You will be in my thoughts."
* Keep a bookmark or flyer current with posted sites or references. This may be handy for the patron who is temporarily overwhelmed.
* Have patience. This patron may not be pleasant or talkative. Be a comforting place for them to return.