New Job = New Reading List

A few weeks ago I sent my resume to a public library in the surrounding area - the suburbs - that was looking for a reference librarian that would handle both Adult services and Teen (Young Adult) services. Since I have some experience with outreach to high schoolers, I thought I might as well apply.

I have always worked in Academic libraries. I started out Freshman year of college in my residence hall one-room library and moved on to the business library and the graduate library. When I studied abroad I worked at that university library. While working on my MLIS I was a grad assistant at my current university library doing reference and some outreach. Since I have been a full-fleged degreed and professional librarian I have been working mostly on outreach and instruction. The outreach is similar to programming that goes on in other libraries, but the instruction has been brand new to me and not something that I was used to at all. That is why I decided to try my hand at a public library.

They called for an interview a little more than a week after I emailed my resume. My interview was four days later. That is where I found out that only three people were chosen for an interview and as soon as that third person was done they would make their decision and let me know. I was late to my interview by aproximately 5 minutes. As I was parking my car at the time my interview should have started I thought I was out of the running. Consequently I went in completely relaxed, knowing that there was no way they were considering offering me this job. I even felt that the interview was going rather well, until the end when I had to say that I didn't know about certain aspects of public libraries. The director with whom I was interviewing seemed genuinly confused about why I had applied for this job when my experience, even my MLIS concentration was in academic libraries.

That is why I have been in shock since Thursday afternoon when I was offered the position. I start in about a week and a half and I am rather nervous. However, I am looking forward to the opportunity to learn something new. I will get to run teen programs, a reading/book club, programs between teens/adults and teens/youth, and a content system "room" for teens and one for entertainment. As well (whoo!) as being on the reference desk some of the day.

So, my reading list is going to have to change somewhat in line with my new position.

These are what I have down so far:

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

Bras and Broomsticks
Frogs and Frech Kisses by Sarah Mlynowski

Then He Ate My Boy Enhancers
Startled by His Furry Shorts by Louise Rennison

God and I Broke Up by Katerina Mazetti