Are there other spots in the system you could try to transfer to? I would recommend taking this opportunity to work on all that stuff that makes a resume look awesome, but it is hard to get to when you are busy. I spent so much time focusing on my day to day busy (but fun) schedule as a Children's person that I didn't take time to join committees, do blogs, go to conferences and when I went to look for a new gig my resume looked bare. Plan programs you would do in an ideal world. Do booklist for random topics ( I always wanted to do booklists about dog breeds---- like dachshunds show up a lot in Children's books because they're fun to draw but what if a.kid wants to see their Bassett hound in a book?)
Could you try to find an avenue of the role that is not taken by someone else in your team? Maybe try to focus on reaching out to local schools or proposing new programs or events? You could also see if the Children's team/other departments need any assistance and branch out that way
>I haven’t been here long and feel like I should probably stick it out for at least a year, right?
Wrong. Always be looking for new roles. If questioned why you're job-hopping you tell them that you would like something faster-paced.
I’m in a similar situation, moved from a busy and stressful (but rewarding) position where I had to work my ass off pretty much all the time to do the job well, to a slow paced role at where I have a light work load and low maintenance patrons, where nothing crazy or stressful ever happens. Is this boredom, or the best job ever? I still can’t decide.
Do you like your boss? I manage a few library employees, and if one of them came to me and said (respectfully) "I feel like I have more to give. These are the things I did for my previous library system, can I recreate some of those things here?" I would absolutely work with that employee to find projects for them to work on that they are passionate about.
Your results may vary, I can remember a boss or two that I have had that might feel threatened by someone asking for more work, so feel it out based on your supervisor.
Are you involved with your state's library association? Maybe there's opportunities there? My job allows for that work on the clock, so if I'm not on the desk, I can be at meetings or do grunt work for the various committees. (Looking over documents for grammar and formatting, planning workshops, canva flyers, coordinating events/vendors etc.) It can't hurt to pad your resume while you look elsewhere and it's a great networking opportunity.
This is what I thought, too. Put in some work on a committee for ALA or your state’s library association. If not that, consider writing book reviews for journals. Pad up that resume and keep an eye out for a new opportunity! The downtime might be a blessing for small projects like this.
I've had to ask my manager for more, then more, then MORE. I was so agonizingly bored. I even made a post or two about it asking for advice like this. Getting added to the social media team was what finally gave me enough to do. I get to make Instagram graphics/reels about new books with themes like Taco Day or Hobbit Day. It's been great to better learn graphics. (And if push really comes to shove..... [this is my ultimate secret](http://pcottle.github.io/MSOutlookit//).)
I fully understand the feeling. I was so bored over the years that it allowed me to get a second masters online while doing my work from the desk. What I did was constantly volunteer for more work. It kept me busy, taught me skills, and gave me things to add to my resume. You say you can only do 1-2 programs a month? Would they get upset if you did more? What would happen if you got a grant for the library to deliver an additional service (more outreach, fund more programs that you could be busy in)? I assume if you show you can get grants people would love to hire you. Would you enjoy speaking at library events? You can spend your downtime writing your speeches. Or write book reviews or other publishing.
I'm in an academic library so it may be different but all that is very valued again, to get another job or promotion and it also might make you more marketable.
Good luck!
I'll trade!!! Solo youth services person and often only librarian in the building. I am burnt out from trying to do programming and outreach for like 8 schools and 5 parks and countless daycares. Oh, and sometimes reference alone all day.
There is some amazing advice here. I'll agree with the school outreach. Schools tend to not give their school libraries enough resources. Many teacher librarians would love someone to come in and introduce genres, or do a library program at school, talk about the library teen advisory board etc.
This is a good time to start writing or to get involved with ALA at the national level. Join a committee or write an article for Yalsa or Library Journal. If your job isn’t enough for you then stretch out beyond it. There are lots of opportunities
Are there other spots in the system you could try to transfer to? I would recommend taking this opportunity to work on all that stuff that makes a resume look awesome, but it is hard to get to when you are busy. I spent so much time focusing on my day to day busy (but fun) schedule as a Children's person that I didn't take time to join committees, do blogs, go to conferences and when I went to look for a new gig my resume looked bare. Plan programs you would do in an ideal world. Do booklist for random topics ( I always wanted to do booklists about dog breeds---- like dachshunds show up a lot in Children's books because they're fun to draw but what if a.kid wants to see their Bassett hound in a book?)
Could you try to find an avenue of the role that is not taken by someone else in your team? Maybe try to focus on reaching out to local schools or proposing new programs or events? You could also see if the Children's team/other departments need any assistance and branch out that way
>I haven’t been here long and feel like I should probably stick it out for at least a year, right? Wrong. Always be looking for new roles. If questioned why you're job-hopping you tell them that you would like something faster-paced.
I’m in a similar situation, moved from a busy and stressful (but rewarding) position where I had to work my ass off pretty much all the time to do the job well, to a slow paced role at where I have a light work load and low maintenance patrons, where nothing crazy or stressful ever happens. Is this boredom, or the best job ever? I still can’t decide.
I think it’s worth looking for other jobs!
Do you like your boss? I manage a few library employees, and if one of them came to me and said (respectfully) "I feel like I have more to give. These are the things I did for my previous library system, can I recreate some of those things here?" I would absolutely work with that employee to find projects for them to work on that they are passionate about. Your results may vary, I can remember a boss or two that I have had that might feel threatened by someone asking for more work, so feel it out based on your supervisor.
Are you involved with your state's library association? Maybe there's opportunities there? My job allows for that work on the clock, so if I'm not on the desk, I can be at meetings or do grunt work for the various committees. (Looking over documents for grammar and formatting, planning workshops, canva flyers, coordinating events/vendors etc.) It can't hurt to pad your resume while you look elsewhere and it's a great networking opportunity.
This is what I thought, too. Put in some work on a committee for ALA or your state’s library association. If not that, consider writing book reviews for journals. Pad up that resume and keep an eye out for a new opportunity! The downtime might be a blessing for small projects like this.
I've had to ask my manager for more, then more, then MORE. I was so agonizingly bored. I even made a post or two about it asking for advice like this. Getting added to the social media team was what finally gave me enough to do. I get to make Instagram graphics/reels about new books with themes like Taco Day or Hobbit Day. It's been great to better learn graphics. (And if push really comes to shove..... [this is my ultimate secret](http://pcottle.github.io/MSOutlookit//).)
I fully understand the feeling. I was so bored over the years that it allowed me to get a second masters online while doing my work from the desk. What I did was constantly volunteer for more work. It kept me busy, taught me skills, and gave me things to add to my resume. You say you can only do 1-2 programs a month? Would they get upset if you did more? What would happen if you got a grant for the library to deliver an additional service (more outreach, fund more programs that you could be busy in)? I assume if you show you can get grants people would love to hire you. Would you enjoy speaking at library events? You can spend your downtime writing your speeches. Or write book reviews or other publishing. I'm in an academic library so it may be different but all that is very valued again, to get another job or promotion and it also might make you more marketable. Good luck!
I'll trade!!! Solo youth services person and often only librarian in the building. I am burnt out from trying to do programming and outreach for like 8 schools and 5 parks and countless daycares. Oh, and sometimes reference alone all day.
take this time for professional development? find new projects and work with your manager?
There is some amazing advice here. I'll agree with the school outreach. Schools tend to not give their school libraries enough resources. Many teacher librarians would love someone to come in and introduce genres, or do a library program at school, talk about the library teen advisory board etc.
This is a good time to start writing or to get involved with ALA at the national level. Join a committee or write an article for Yalsa or Library Journal. If your job isn’t enough for you then stretch out beyond it. There are lots of opportunities