Gloom, despair and agony on me...

...because I'm a librarian. I didn't realize it when I started this profession but there are a lot of negative thinkers in this profession. Granted things are totally rosy for libraries as funding cuts are always happening and services have to be cut to fit available budgets but it's not the end of libraries!

The newest gloom and doom is the fiasco with ebooks in libraries. Only 2 of what is considered the "Big Six" of book publishers allows libraries to purchase their ebooks for lending and one of them has a circulation limit on their books that would require libraries to reorder. As a result the library blogs and publications are once again facing the negative and wanting to fight back. Well I'm all for getting everything we can for our patrons but at the same time I realize that we CAN'T get EVERYTHING for our patrons so we provide what we can and work to keep growing and serving.

I realize that I'm not always the most positive person around but I've really noticed that other people's  attitudes really impact my own. Yes I know I'm responsible for my own actions and attitude and no can make me have a bad attitude but face it, if your around it long enough it seeps in and starts seeping out.
Well enough ranting for today. I shall attempt to be cheerful and find the positive side of librarianship!

Why I haven't been blogging...

... because I have been pinning and Instagramming. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and Pinterest and Instagram lets me communicate visually without having to come up with the right words or grammar. But not to leave you blog readers out let me just through some pics at you from my resent trip to Florida.

Be Still My Heart...

...it's only snow! Yes it's true, here it is January 13th and here in Michigan we finally got significant snowfall. It's not the beautiful white ground that has my heart racing,

 it wasn't even the tree branches dressed in gorgeous white flakes, or the very hungry birds that swarmed the bird feeder.

Now what got my heart racing was having to pull out of my garage and driveway and navigate snow covered and slippery roads. It didn't use to bother me. In fact I use to be frustrated when the boss would close for half a day because of road conditions. Now I'm ready to hibernate and not go anywhere. Why you may ask...after all I was born, raised and learned to drive in Michigan Winters so what's the big deal.

One simple roll over last winter and now it's panic attacks every time my tires start to slide or pull a bit in the snowy slush and icy streets. Sure I wasn't hurt, my car was repaired almost like new and I managed to get some time off work due to the accident but I'm finding that the emotional and psychological impact aren't erased as quickly. Any way Winter is here and I will be one of those drivers you all curse at who won't go over 25 miles an hour if there is any snow on the road. Anyway just to leave on positive note: our Pilated Woodpecker is back this year.

New Years Resolutions...

...to keep or break, that is the dilemma. Resolutions just don't seem to last long so I hesitate to make them because I fail at enough things without adding more to the list. But this year I thought I would decide on resolutions that are non-measurable, in that it is a more or less type resolution and if I do it once that could easily be more or less than I did last year. Also if I use the 'make an effort' phrase then as long as I remember to attempt it once during the year I've met my resolution. So here goes:

1. I will attempt to purchase more Michigan and American made products this year to boost the economy.
2. I will create less trash this year by recycling and composting more to help the environment.
3. I will attempt to purchase at least 1 book to support an author that I really enjoy.
4. I will be more grateful and less of a griper to promote a happy working atmosphere. 
5. I will not break more than 5 resolutions in 2012.

What about you? Are you resolved to do things different in 2012?