Phyl

How's everyone getting library experience? Anybody do anything cool/interesting, or find something resume worthy in an interesting way? I've interned in my undergrad school's Rare Book's library, interned in a college library near my home this summer and volunteered at the local public library. I've got 2 interviews for grad assistantships coming up, so hopefully I'll have more and get paid to boot.

That's turn off enough for me. I totally hear you on this. I kept a few of my books from undergrad. The book I can get through Nookstudy, is a library science technology book with info that is going to go out of date quickly, so I wasn't looking long term (my other books for this semester are rentals too). I'll need them during the semester (since they aren't on reserve in the library) and will never open them again.

Nook study anyone use it or play around with it? One of my textbooks is available for a significantly reduced price through it and I'm tempted.

Anyone changing your hairstyle? I'm testing out some bangs and a long bob (a la Nicole Richie) and kind of liking it but now I have to maintain them which I'm not very good at. I hate paying for a haircut and my experiences trimming my hair myself have never ended well.

Having done my undergrad in Rochester NY my thoughts on winter footwear: Buy your winter gear where ever you are moving, the winter stuff available in Rochester was much better than what was sold in my home of NJ Make sure it's waterproof, certain ladies were very confused when their Uggs started smelling like wet dog. Make sure your boots are loose enough to tuck your pants (and multiple layers if you are wearing them) in, cold wet legs are no fun. I'll be going to orientation in nice jeans and a nice top, I'll adjust from there. Anything I've attended so far has been pretty casual and I expect classes to be the same.

I had this conversation with my academic library internship supervisor and two other librarians in the office today. All three of them did the MLS first and then schools they've worked for have paid for the second masters. I've been browsing job postings the second masters is usually just preferred, there isn't much consistency in type schools that require it. The downside that they mentioned was that a second masters can make you look like a more expensive hire or look like you are using librarianship as a stepping stone to a professor position in your subject. (AwkwardPants if you had any thoughts on that I'd love to hear it) The biggest thing to landing a library job is getting experience in a variety of areas in the library. Don't rule out other types of libraries for experience, my academic library internship is covering cataloging, weeding, and reference and I also intern in a public library where I shelve books and do basic computer skills instruction.

Totally agree on the left handed stuff, I could never work left handed scissors and now I have a hard time when someone who is left handed tries to show me something since I'm so used to translating. It's weird because when I was little my parents (both right handed) thought there was something wrong with me because I couldn't learn to tie my shoes, my left handed grandma had to teach me. I had to go open a bottle of wine to see how I do it , I start out doing it "wrong" and end up switching hands so I'm holding the bottle and cork screw as a right handed person would. I'm also picky about pens so the side of my hand doesn't get covered in ink.

I'd second the vote for a binder and loose leaf. I'm left handed and I don't like having to lean on a spiral. I take out a few sheets of paper before class and stick the binder back in my bag, I use tabbed dividers to separate each class. It allows for reorganization without destroying the pages, I have all notes from all of my classes with me at all times, and it's easy to hole punch and add in any handouts with the notes for that day. I also like that I'm not wasting pages in subject notebooks when a class doesn't require a ton of notes or having to store and remember to bring two notebooks to a class that I've taken a lot of notes in It's been really cost effective, I bought a more expensive heavy plastic binder that's lasted 3 years and still looks nice. It also doesn't require a ton of oomph to open it there are easy open options that don't require the pulling apart. The cheaper cardboard center covered in plastic are usually beat up in 2 years. The paper is pretty reasonably priced in bulk. You can get binders in smaller sizes since you don't want to carry anything big. To get the most like the moleskin look at journals, I picked mine up at Target on sale for $5. If you are tolerant of cheesy sayings or willing to do a little work on the cover there's a decent selection around $10. Barnes and Noble has some basic journals in $6 to $8 . Mead also used to make a 1 subject notebook that wasn't spiral but it's 8.5 x 11 and I can't remember the last time I saw one in stores. I did a little googling and I'm so surprised that there aren't more spiral alternatives, I know so many people that hate them. Screw grad school I should start making notebooks.

I registered in May but other than that no other contact . I could go get my id but I have no reason to yet probably go do that on the first day of classes.

https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTY3NzkzODE5 So glad I don't have to keep track of my flash drive anymore.

I got the same offer as you mares.

You must be in New Jersey too! It must be a history major thing, most of my friends in undergrad were in other departments and History Council meetings were dreadful. The stories I could tell... You can like history without being lame I just don't get how so many lame people like history.

Thanks everyone! I will reserve my judgment until classes start. I'm far more used to being one of the more quiet reserved people in a room, although I have mastered the art of small talk (thank you sorority recruitment). It was like the reverse wall flower situation, I felt out of place because I wanted to get to know people. To me reading a book is the ultimate personal space bubble, I just wouldn't approach someone reading. Even if it ends up being a socially awkward experience, I'll be ahead in networking events and such since I don't mind it.

I had a New Student Meet and Greet/Campus Tour/Advising thing the other day. There was a ton of time sitting in a room together, a tour, food with time to mingle and meeting with professors. No one talked, no one looked at each other and the majority of people pulled out a book and started reading. Only one other girl and I talked with each other. I get the librarian stereotype but really do we have to all fit it? I'm not expecting the social atmosphere of undergrad but is it totally wrong to have some expectations of at least some small talk? I'm starved socially now, my friends from undergrad scattered, and the friends I still have from high school have babies. I'm 22 I want to go hang out at a bar and gossip not sit at Chuck E Cheese faking enthusiasm over ultrasound pictures that look like Rorschach tests. I figured I'd have something in common with other people in the program especially since the bulk of us looked around the same age and presumably have similar interests. I've gotten really anxious about classes since a lot of the intro courses all contain group work and the social awkwardness of my classmates has made it worse. I hate group work with a fiery passion of a thousand suns, I dropped classes in undergrad when they had group work. I hate that I can't avoid it. I am always that person that ends up taking charge because I hate sitting around in silence not getting anything done because no one else speaks up. I also hate how pompous and controlling that makes me sound. I guess I just needed to vent, but I'll take any comments, thoughts, suggestions etc.,

It snowed this weekend at my undergrad. I'm so glad I'm never living anywhere that far north again. A big ditto to getting earmuffs. Frostbite on your ears sucks big time. I had the first ear infection since preschool at college before I got them. If your hood isn't tight around your face and it's windy it will not be pleasant. I used Underarmor during the winter under clothing. The other thing to remember is layering, classrooms can be really really warm and you want to be able to take enough off. Keeping a t shirt as the bottom layer is a good idea. If you get sweaty in class then go outside to walk home you will be extra cold. With boots, make they are good waterproof boots. Girls were so surprised when their Uggs started smelling like wet dog. I'd also recommend getting 2 pairs so you can alternate and always have one pair dry.

Best printer I've ever owned is my "free with the laptop" Dell, it's still working beautifully at 7. Ink cost is pretty reasonable the only issue I had was when I got a new laptop and I had to do some fiddling to make them get along. My boyfriend has a laser print Brother which is really nice, toner isn't cheap but it is long lasting. My parents just bought an inkjet HP and it hasn't been getting along with any of the computers in the house and it takes up a lot of desk space.

Yes! I'm pumped. Can we have a gradcafe meetup?

I'll alternate between a tote and a messenger bag depending on how much I have to carry. I carry the messenger bag on one shoulder to avoid the chest issue. I haven't used a bookbag since elementary school and I really have no desire to start again.

Rutgers on campus

red eye

Got an email from Pratt to see funding info online. Good thing I rejected them 2 weeks ago, an MLS is soooo not worth 74k. Also got an email from Rutgers today with an short application to send in for award packages.

My boyfriend and I have been long distance for the past year, we see each other 1 weekend a month. Here's what I've found works: Skype, no pesky long distance bills, plus some face to face time every day. Sure you are going to be busy but you will take time to eat or fold laundry just do it in front of the computer. Plan visits in advance so you have something to look forward to. Make the most of the time you have, which means getting enough work done in advance to enjoy the time you have together. Have active stuff to do together as well as time to sit around and do nothing. The biggest thing is communication, be willing to talk if there's problems, it's too easy to ignore things when you don't have to face the person every day.