360: Grace & Dignity: June 10, 2007

Ok: So since I have received my graduate degree, I have been praying for a new position as a librarian in a beach community.

One p.t. position became available, which then became f.t. I interviewed with a wonderful tribunal and I came out as the #1 candidate.

When I returned for a second interview, I was greeted by a subordinate in a less than cordial manner...and during the interview I was treated in a demeaning and rude manner by the same subordinate.

How is it, that for a Professional position that I was interviewed by a "para-professional" subordinate staff member? Why is it that someone so rude and "proprietary" would be allowed to interview Professional staff? Where were the other professional staff members, and why were they not a part of the interview team?

Not only are these my concerns....but, when one walks into a library, isn't it preferable to see more than a stairway on first sight? On the back side of the stairway there was a white sign with grey lettering on a white wall indicating which departments were located on which floor. But really, how uninviting, cold, and non-user friendly of an environment.

Emphasis of the interview was focused not on collection but on virtual libraries and outreach. Yes outreach is an excellent service, but one must never forget the people who come into the library simply to spend leisure time and browse the collection.

Call me "old-fashioned" I want books, books, more books, and an occasional video. I want more than computers, which I have at home....Nothing ever will replace the goodness of a book, where I have access to my own quirky imagination, where I have the option of making a character come to life as I see fit....nothing is all "thought out" or preplanned for me, rendering my mind, imagination, and creativity as useless functions. I am not lazy, I prefer to think for myself...this is FREEDOM!

Needless to say, I will not be working for this library system.