So, on a daily basis I deal with a really tough topic. Not only do I see people cry almost every single day, but often times I provide people with death dates of lost love ones, provide photographs of unspeakable acts, and verify quotes by Hitler.

I have been thinking about what other professions deal with tragedy every single day : ER Doctors, Funeral Home Directors, Insurance Agents. Seriously, not what I thought I was getting myself into when I went to Library School^TM.

I thought perhaps that I'd have a job that allowed me to dress in a suit and tie each day, with my black horned rimmed glasses (check and check) and each day the security guard would nod and say "Good Morning Mr. Sackel" (check) and I'd have hoards of well dressed old women coming to visit me and asking me to lunch (check). I guess the surprise comes in with the information I am able to provide access to. Even I'm surprised. I thought I knew lots about my subject, but it turns out, I am learning something new everyday - and figuring out ways to make this information more accessible to the public.

My new friend is technology. It's always been a friend, but now - more than ever, I am embracing it. It is fantastic to transmit video via FTP, provide links to amazing resources, linking PDF's right through the catalog, scanning and e-mailing information. It is amazing to have information sent to me from France in a matter of 15 seconds. I am proud of the I in my MLIS.

I know the I stands for Information, but I've always imagined it had something to do with technology. Maybe it doesn't, but shut up. I don't want to change my mind.

Plus, I look hot pushing "send".

And at the end of the day, isn't that all that really matters?

Moral of this blog: Technology is almost as hot as me.

Labels: Library School, Special Libraries, techology, WDL glamor

With Summer just around the corner, I have realized that my life has been the busiest it has ever been. Frankly, I'm enjoying every minute of it.

Since last I posted the library that I work in has opened. So has the museum that the library is contained within.

I have spent the last 26 weeks assisting the training of docents, volunteers, and working with other museum staff to get the place up and running.

I am proud to say that Elie Wiesel spoke, and was followed by our keynote speaker : former President Clinton.

I have learned so much about getting materials catalouged, prepared and shelved. About keeping a budget. About answering the most esoteric of reference questions. About linking electronic resources. About buying a library ladder (!!!)

But most of all, I have learned to be myself. I am really in the right place, at the right time in my life. I so badly wanted to come on here and write something filled with witty repartee, and biting double entendre - but find myself unable to do so - at this point.

Special libraries are indeed special. They serve such a specific public, yet really open the eyes of those who did not know about this topic - and are able to explore in deep detail.

Now that the flash bulbs and paparazzi have faded somewhat, I can start focusing on what I do best : explaining the world of library science.

Moral of this blog: special = hot

Labels: hot librarians, WDL glamor

Moral of this blog : Best Post Secret Ever.

Labels: hot librarians

With 2009 right around the corner, I have decided that I needed to redecorate a room in my house to make it "more WDL". Which would be the lucky room?

It was the bathroom.

The design is simple: Vintage Laboratory.

What?

Don't question my aesthetics.

This means that I am using lots of graduated cylenders and test tubes to hold my bath products, laboratory quality containers for my cotton balls, and q-tips and bars of soap.

The white sear sucker shower curtain, with silver grommets is reminicent of a lab jacket.

The wall is decorated with a vintage framed print of a skeletal system diagram. I'm thinking that a diagram of the human eye might also be in order.

Toothbrushes in a graduated beaker! Mouthwash in a volumetric flask with a stopper! Gorgeous. Tylenol in specimin jars! hot. They aren't just for urine anymore! (specimin jars, not Tylenol..just to be clear!)

All of these things can be found at scientific surplus stores, and images can be blown up at Kinko's from old text books. Frames are a song at Target and other home interior stores.

All of these things are easy to wash, should they get slightly dirty...and best, I can see the contents of each container.

Moral of this blog: Experiment with your space in 2009!

Labels: cleaning, must haves, WDL glamor

Another year has come and gone. For me, it is hard to believe that I've "done it" all by myself...and by that I mean I've proved quite a bit to myself this year.

Some of the other things I've learned this year:

a)It is super sad when your cat dies.
b)I enjoy quiet nights more than going out.
c)I want to date myself.
d)Special libraries are amazing. I was out the other day, at another kind of library, and nearly needed to be diagnosed as agoraphobic.
e)Packing and moving a library is NOT AS FUN as it looks in the movies.
f)That women should not wear Ugg boots. For any reason.
g)Good friends keep secrets.
h)It is challenging to meet with a donor who is giving money to the library in honor of a dead child.
i)Quality over quantity.
j)Singing at the top of my lungs in my car is cathartic.
k)Singing at the top of my lungs in the library when no one is here is fun.
l)Shelving is a necessity in the library, even if it doesn't "look aesthetic", Mr. Architect.
m)I wish I knew how to read Hebrew. (yeah yeah yeah, go ahead, call me a bad Jew). My cataloging life would be easier.
n)I'm in the right profession. If you realize this isn't for you, get the HELL OUT! It makes it tough for the rest of us. Yeah, the economy sucks, but don't make life hell for everyone because it is for you.
o)I appreciate bedtime.
p)I can step out of my comfort zones and not die.
q)People should not wear flip flops in the winter. For any reason.
r)Life does exist outside of the office....though this is tough right now.
s)I'm 32, and building my second library. This is awesome.
t)Ask for advice when you need it. Thank you Sarah M and Susan S. and Nedda A. and my old cataloging gals from the More Northern Library. Looking like you know how to do something is totally different than knowing how to do it.
u)Buy a lab jacket. Dress up everyday, but be protected!
v)Want and need are very clear to me now.
w)Good collections are well weeded.
x)Stay current in your field - thank you RSS feed!
y)Not using credit cards was tough. I'm a cash only boy now.
z)Update your blog or people leave nasty comments!

Overall, 2008 was good, not great. Unless you count the Obama thing, then it was great.

Stay tuned in '09. Building a new library and opening a museum are kind of sort of time consuming! I'll have lots of practical WDL style advice for you all.


Moral of this blog: Happy New Year!

Labels: Holidays, librarians, libraries, WDL

Moral of this blog: I'm thankful that I'm hot.

Labels: Holidays, hot librarians, WDL glamor

Moral of this blog: Yeah! A new fashion icon. I haven't had one in a while.

Labels: fashion advice, hotties, WDL glamor

Moral of this blog: GO OUT AND VOTE!

Labels: politics

When working in a Special Library, one must look like they are in charge. This can easily be accomplished by yelling and screaming at everyone, OR by looking the part.

In order to do this, I highly suggest purchasing a military style sports coat. As you can see from my picture, you will not only look amazingly thin, but also emanate a certain "Do what I say" aura. I can't promise you'll look this hot.

This jacket has plackets on the shoulders, as well as four pockets. The four button look is timeless, as are the high, small, lapels.

Additionally, posing against a brick wall will also make you look like you are in charge, and lend purpose to your lunch break in a valuable way - photographing yourself. . It allows you to check for bad posture, a un-centered belt buckle, and best of all, lends purpose to that 60 minute gap in the middle of the day.

Moral of this blog: At ease!

Labels: fashion advice, hot accessories, hot librarians, WDL, WDL glamor

One of the hot parts of being a special librarian, who runs his own library...is that you get interns from foreign countries! OMG! I bet you didn't know that.

There are tons of perks. Including ordering things from Gaylord, wearing a lab jacket, accidentally falling asleep at your desk, putting people on hold so you sound busier than you are, and no filter on your internet searches!

Meet my hot intern. She is from Germany.

Her job is to come as my sidekick to cocktail parties.

She was my Lois Lane at this party.

Moral of this blog: Superman is gay now.

Labels: Holidays, hot librarians, Interns, WDL