Sunday Reflections: Library World is Like Spamalot

October 6, 2013 by Karen Jensen, MLS Leave a Comment

There are times when everyone just gets run down. You may see that you have increased your circulation numbers to incredible heights (say, having circulated every item 1.62 times on average for the year) yet your materials budget is being decreased for some political or imaginary reason. Or you are getting your programs on national registers, yet no one else in your system notices. You’re invited to talk at state and national conferences, working on various committees and doing the job of three- yet no one notices, let alone nominates you for employee of the month. It can feel like Arthur:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y9f8849Geo?rel=0]

Or that you’re crossing the bridge of Death:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV0tCphFMr8?feature=player_detailpage]

Actually, you need to find your Grail:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmCFCoppjxs?feature=player_detailpage]

And:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hqS_lzNIlU?feature=player_detailpage]

It may not seem like it, but there is always something to look forward to. Going home to a light a candle in your favorite scent. Meeting someone for dinner or lunch. Curling up with a good book. Seeing a movie or having a decadent chocolate (or three). Make notes in your planner or phone so that there are reminders and positive inspirations in your life- even when things seem negative, have a spot or a place like a Pinterest board where you can page through things to get you at least out of the doldrums. Keep those with you, or happy pictures, SOMETHING tangible so you know there’s something else out there. Make time for yourself outside of work-related things, because all to often, we can get buried in everything work and never have time for us. Because really, in the little things we get tied up in, will it matter in a month? Six months? A year?

Are THEY going to come for you?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt0Y39eMvpI?feature=player_detailpage]

Filed under: Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Professional Development, Sunday Reflections

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About Karen Jensen, MLS

Karen Jensen has been a Teen Services Librarian for almost 30 years. She created TLT in 2011 and is the co-editor of The Whole Library Handbook: Teen Services with Heather Booth (ALA Editions, 2014).

August 2014