Did you think I'd be meaner??

The funny thing about being a librarian is that most people have a stereotype of what I should look like, and be like firmly fixed in their minds...perhaps television is partly to blame for this. Most people think I love quiet, like to read non-stop and that I should be at least 55 with graying hair and glasses perched on my nose. The funnest part for me is when I meet someone new and they just can't believe it!! I'm not the only exception. One of my best friends (who is also a librarian) races Harleys and sky dives, another is a dancer, one backpacks through the wild for a month every summer...I can be quiet and read but I also love a party! I scuba dive and love poker and loud rock music. One of the funniest observations that people make is they always think I should be stern or crabby (I'm usually very flexible and happy). I've actually had people say they are surprised that I'm so nice! Weird huh? I guess I could take offense but I think it's meant as a compliment.

The Magic Wand...

I'm off to attend meetings at the American Library Associations annual conference which is being held in Anaheim this summer. I'm in charge of a program this year which means I decide the theme, find a speaker, and direct a group of people so that it all comes together on Sunday, June 29th. This year's theme is "keeping the magic alive." I decided on it because so often we (all of us) lose the spark that makes us fun, interesting people. We lose our creativity and we forget to be supportive...so this session aims at restoring some of that. I'll share with you the story that started it all.

Several years ago my mentor/boss/friend and I were surprised by the first snowfall of the season as we prepared to leave work. We had both recently bought new SUVs and hadn't thought to put scrapers (to remove ice and snow) in them yet. She began rummaging through her car and emerged with her 6 year olds magic princess wand. She said, "I bet this will make a good scraper!" I had my doubts but it actually worked pretty well. We both cleaned our windows off and made it safely home.

This was such a unique and creative incident that I have shared it with friends many times and I think of her and the magic wand each time it snows.

A little over a year ago we both decided to leave the university and go our seperate ways...the day I left she left the magic wand under my windshield wiper with this note - - your gonna need this! It sits on my desk, in my new office, to remind me to keep that spark of creativity alive and to be supportive of others. It helps me retain the magic!