Student Snippets A Window Into The Daily Life & Thoughts of SLIS Students

Bookstock 2013 and My New Job

Bookstock.jpgLast weekend marked the fifth annual literary festival in Woodstock, Vermont, whimsically named Bookstock. This event brings together many community groups and businesses including the public library, both of the independent book stores in town, the National Park Service, and private vendors. I’ve been able to participate in this weekend long celebration of the written word through my job with the National Park Service and it is absolutely a highlight of the summer. The event appeals to tourists and locals alike and really offers something for everyone. In addition to a tent of exhibitors there is also a huge used book sale; I was able to get 6 books for $10! Quite a steal! I am so happy to see this event thriving and expanding every year because community events like Bookstock are why I want to work for a small public library. (Interested in learning more? Check out: http://www.bookstockvt.org/)

Starting in September I will have a new job that I hope will allow me access to more behind scenes details of similar community events. I have accepted a part time job as Reference Assistant at the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, Vermont! I could not be more excited to start what I am sure will be an amazing learning opportunity. I will be manning the reference desk, helping with circulation, readers’ advisory, interlibrary loan and hopefully expanding the library’s presence on social media.

How will I manage to take classes in Boston and work in Vermont you may ask? Great question! I have a feeling the fall is going to be very interesting as I adjust to splitting my time between Boston and Vermont. In anticipation of getting a new job in the fall, I arranged my schedule to only have classes on Monday and Wednesday and luckily my library job is Thursday-Saturday. Two three hour long classes every Monday should keep me busy, so will commuting back and forth to Boston. Challenges aside, the opportunity to work in my hometown public library promises to be worth the sacrifices of a crazy schedule and I cannot wait to begin.