Everytime I Turn Around...

...I'm being asked to take on a new project at work. This is kind of cool because I love my job. Being a librarian rocks. I'm finding it a little frustrating though, because I have this other big time-eating and completely satisfying job that I love called being Mommy.

So, I turned down the first project I was asked to do: training library assistants at rural libraries in and around our city (yeah, this place is really a city) to use Dynix and other computer programs. They said it would only be a day or so a week. The thing is that I am supposed to be working half-time right now so that I have time with my baby, but I am already working three-quarter-time because I'm needed to do so many things at work. This being the case, I was unwilling to take on another day-or-so-per-week job that takes me away from home even more.

The next project I was asked to take on involved training library patrons, particularly new Canadians, on using the IPAC and the databases. This is an awesome job and it's one of the reasons I took Instruction at library school. Again, though, it was another big time commitment that takes me away from home. I have two kids under the age of five, so this did not seem like a good plan. I declined and we are going to hire another library assistant to help with that role - though I will still be involved in developing the instructional programs.

Today, I was asked to move up from half-time to three-quarter-time. I think I'll be agreeing to this change. Since I already work three-quarter-time, this just means I will be getting paid for the time I am putting in...instead of trying to take time off in lieu which I never seem to find time to actually do. I have asked to take some vacation time before I make the change though...actually get some of the lieu time I've stored up. It's just crazy how busy things can get and I want to spend some quality time with my family.

In library school, we learned that librarians are in high demand, particularly in smaller public libraries and rural areas. Let me just confirm that this is definitely, definitely true.