I worked about 2 hrs at the library today on a project that's kept me busy for the last few weeks. I am shelf-reading, checking every item shelf by shelf, to make sure things are in the correct place and according to the Dewey Decimal System. Many would find this boring, but it is totally exciting to me - about the only chance I have to use my left brain. I am decidedly a right-brained person, but when it comes to alpha-numeric order, and order in general, it's right down my alley! (Sadly, not order as in "keeping my house in order.)
I had started weeks ago on the non-fiction and am getting close to the end. What remains is a combination of fiction and non-fiction, but in different languages. Today I worked myself through Chinese and Russian. The Chinese was easy once I got used to it (still using our regular alpha-numeric system on the book tag). The Russian for some reason was really confusing to me and not so easy. The book ID is still according to Dewey, and I can't explain what the issue is, but is isn't simple. Next I go to Spanish, then Vietnamese and Korean. I'm not sure if there is a separate section for Ukranian although I have seen some books with that designation.
So I feel like I'm taking a virtual trip around the world. The library system also has the same language sections in the Juvenile collection and it's an insight into the diversity of Sacramento. I stopped work briefly to talk to an oncology nurse who is trying to improve her fluency in Spanish since a large percentage of her patients are Spanish speaking. When we said goodbye I said "Buena suerte" to her, and until now (I just looked it up) I was hoping it meant "good luck". It does. What little Spanish I know is rusty.
The weather predictor on my MAC says it is 73 degrees now (at 4:30pm) and will be in the lower 70's for the next five days. I will have to look at weather.com to see what is coming up after that.
When Donald & Jeannie drove me home last night after our gym workout, we all got out of the van and looked up at the sky. The kids spotted Orion and a few other things that weren't as clearly visible to me, but I know they are there. I need to walk out into the middle of my street at night to really get a good view, and try viewing the sky with my binoculars. A good sky chart showing planets and stars would also help, but reading them, especially in the dark, would be problematic.
Good night, all, and buena suerte!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
You really are enjoying your job, I bet time flies.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is looking good here and maybe I can sneak in a couple of day camping.
I love the job I'm doing, and it's good for me to get out. Today I would probably have stayed home, in the house, doing nothing. I wonder if I will ever get to go camping again.
DeleteI think a job like that might be interesting to me as well as I would especially like working in a quiet atmosphere on my own. I've always liked libraries.
ReplyDeleteJust holding and handling books is wonderful to me, and when I want to talk to someone there are always like-minded people around. Also, because I'm a volunteer there is very little stress, except what I place on myself. Libraries are great places and librarians are the most open-minded and articulate people on earth.
DeleteOh I agree that just holding and handling the books would be wonderful but I fear I would want to open them all and read the flaps. LOL!! I'd never get the job done. Really envying you the temps in the 70's. That's perfect weather in my book.
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked at a library in the Fairfax Co. VA system after I retired from the govt., I often saw a book on the cart that I thought I'd like and held it back to check it out for myself. I usually had at least 35 books checked out at any time, and on my days off I usually read books! My eyesight wouldn't allow me to do that now.
ReplyDeleteI know it is a volunteer job but when you do something you actually enjoy, it is like it's not work at all.
ReplyDeleteTu Espanol es bueno :)
Muchas gracias,, mi amiga.
DeleteHi, Gypsy. Hope all is well with you. Such long silence is not usual for you. Maybe your busy schedule is wearing you out?
ReplyDeleteAs a senior with graduation requirements made, I worked in the library my last year, That was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I gained a familiarity with libraries that has served me oh so well all my life. Recently I accompanied my high school granddaughter to the library. She couldn't believe how fast I could find a book even though I had never been in that library before. Enjoy your time with the books.