In the spirit of partiality, the American Library Association is offering reduced membership dues, just not free. (I was hoping "free," just for the chance to say I'm a card-carrying member.) The cost for un- and under-employed members is $46 annually, and the best page for starting the membership process is found at the Member Dues page.
Once I return to the land of the paid, I'll pay these fees. Just not the best expenditure of $46 right now.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Shameful nerdiness?
Time magazine (online) has pointed out a map compiling shameful stats about all 50 states. Ohio (my turf) comes out looking good due to having the "highest number of library visits per capita (6.9)." The full-size map and stats are found at Pleated Jeans.
The libraries are good and pretty well-funded; they just aren't hiring, as is the case with all sectors in Ohio.
The libraries are good and pretty well-funded; they just aren't hiring, as is the case with all sectors in Ohio.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Book recommendation
For those of us in the job hunt, it's often helpful to have one book that's the one you turn to time and again for motivation and diligence. I've been using Ford R. Myer's 2009 text, Get The Job You Want Even When No One's Hiring, to keep me going.
Most of these job-hunt titles have the same emphasis: Network instead of job seek, and this book is no different. Myers has a field day stressing having a "laser focus" on the exact type of job you want, and he makes no bones emphasizing that if you take a job just for the necessary paycheck, you may regret it later. Still, the 2009 publication acknowledges the depth of the recession, and Myers understands what the desparate job seeker will resort to.
One of the best features is the inclusion of sample letters and positioning statements. Nicely formatted, these resume-with-blurbs pages show you how creating a few Microsoft Word templates can result in an eye-catching promotional piece that's no ordinary resume.
So keep your ladder-climbing aspirations high, and don't necessarily jump at the Starbuck's help wanted signs down the street. Admittedly, I've applied for a shift manager position at Starbuck's and for two jobs at Barnes & Noble. Maybe it's for the best that they haven't gotten back to me. Onward and upward, even while filling out the storefronts' applications just to meet Ohio's unemployment requirements.
Most of these job-hunt titles have the same emphasis: Network instead of job seek, and this book is no different. Myers has a field day stressing having a "laser focus" on the exact type of job you want, and he makes no bones emphasizing that if you take a job just for the necessary paycheck, you may regret it later. Still, the 2009 publication acknowledges the depth of the recession, and Myers understands what the desparate job seeker will resort to.
One of the best features is the inclusion of sample letters and positioning statements. Nicely formatted, these resume-with-blurbs pages show you how creating a few Microsoft Word templates can result in an eye-catching promotional piece that's no ordinary resume.
So keep your ladder-climbing aspirations high, and don't necessarily jump at the Starbuck's help wanted signs down the street. Admittedly, I've applied for a shift manager position at Starbuck's and for two jobs at Barnes & Noble. Maybe it's for the best that they haven't gotten back to me. Onward and upward, even while filling out the storefronts' applications just to meet Ohio's unemployment requirements.
Monday, January 24, 2011
DRM-based countdown on a Sony Reader
Here are two snaps of how a Sony Reader (model PRS-300) displays an Overdrive e-book that I downloaded through the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Note the last title, "How To Get The Job You Want." It's got the little clock on the right showing five days remaining. I started with 14 days and it's been counting down for nine days. I think I'll just get a "Protected Page" message when it expires.
The EPUB format with digital rights management might be adding a bit to the file size. Normally, a 131-page book isn't 2.6 Mb. It would be more like 246 Kb. I use Calibre software to alphabetize by surname, but I can't do that with this Get the job you want title, as it would remove the DRM. So the alphabetization is off, but I can live with that for 14 days.
The EPUB format with digital rights management might be adding a bit to the file size. Normally, a 131-page book isn't 2.6 Mb. It would be more like 246 Kb. I use Calibre software to alphabetize by surname, but I can't do that with this Get the job you want title, as it would remove the DRM. So the alphabetization is off, but I can live with that for 14 days.
Firing it up!
Wow, January has nearly come and gone, and I am still seeking work. As I tell the missus, if this were 2001 instead of 2011, the job offers would be forthcoming and plentiful. (I recall that 2000 was a very good year for getting library work). Still undaunted, the search continues.
Stay tuned for my list of folks who impressively have gotten their greatness out via the 'Net. You don't have to know everything about all of the aspects of library work to be the world's greatest... but you should have a great skill set and the ability to get published or get to those conferences.
Stay tuned for my list of folks who impressively have gotten their greatness out via the 'Net. You don't have to know everything about all of the aspects of library work to be the world's greatest... but you should have a great skill set and the ability to get published or get to those conferences.
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