Luckily I have a trusty Google Calendar to remind me what I’ve done so I can write blog posts later.
5/30 – Chapter 9:
Jen and I went to Foundation Center training. The Foundation Center is an organization that helps individuals and non-profit groups find grants (that is, free money). In addition to the organization’s website, they also run a website called GrantSpace, which also helps in the search for grants.
There are also two databases, which can only be accessed in the library. The first is Foundation Grants to Individuals Online. It’s for exactly what it sounds like – individuals (such as students) can search for grants given by companies. The second database is Foundation Directory Online Professional, which is for organizations looking for grants. This includes libraries, like the Heights Library, which has received 4 grants, according to the database.
After that, I shadowed in the teen after-school program known as the SPOT. The kids were watching anime called Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, which is about a guy who fights enemies with…his nose hair. I talked with one of the teen librarians about the teen reading program and the other ins-and-outs of the teen room.
6/2 – Chapter 10:
I spent Sunday at the Grand Opening of the new Heights Knowledge and Innovation Center (better known as HKIC – that’s pronounced ‘H-Kick’ for those keeping score at home). HKIC is designed to help Heights residents run and start their own small businesses. There’s a large computer lab, two collaborative meeting rooms and a Media Lab, which is basically a recording studio that’s free to the public! Initially, I observed and helped out with the Media Lab demonstration. Afterwards, we supervised the computer lab, which was still busy despite the Grand Opening.
6/4 – Chapter 11:
I started heading out to the branches – University Heights (UH) first. I spent most of the time at the Reference desk – including actually doing some librarian work! I helped find picture books for story time in the catalog for the children’s librarian as well as helping patrons with everything from holds to computer issues.
I also helped one of the librarians set up and start UH’s International Film Festival. The film last night was Free Men (France 2012). It’s about an Algerian immigrant who becomes a freedom fighter in Nazi-occupied France. I only saw the first 30 minutes, but it looked pretty good.
I definitely enjoyed getting to do some work instead of shadowing. Shadowing definitely helped prepare me to actually do that work, though.