Comments on: Struggling to Juggle: Part-time Temporary Work in Libraries

By: Emily Ford …In Six | INALJ (I Need a Library Job)

Emily Ford …In Six | INALJ (I Need a Library Job) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:24:15 +0000

[...] based in reality that was the slow start to my stable employment, which consisted of jumping fromtemporary job to temporary job for the past four years. For so long just having a permanent job (one with a line item in the [...]

By: Pigbitin Mad

Pigbitin Mad — Wed, 04 May 2011 00:50:03 +0000

Well, all degrees are now useless. The only thing to do is move to India and become a medical coder. We should demand that our president nuke that country unless they allow Americans to move there and take advantage of their incredibly low standard of living so that we too can make 20 cents an hour doing medical coding.

As Al Capone was reputed to have said: You can get a lot farther with a smile and gun than you can with just a smile. This country is finished.

By: sjmbqczyc

sjmbqczyc — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 04:40:51 +0000

AiECaW gyaydthxfram

By: Emily Ford

Emily Ford — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:15:11 +0000

Thanks for sharing your experience, Robin.

By: Emily Ford

Emily Ford — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:14:17 +0000

Not for very long, Tom, and that’s one of the problems? It IS hard to persevere. It IS hard to not be exhausted… I am thinking good thoughts for you and your job search.

By: Robin

Robin — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 01:39:51 +0000

Thanks, Emily, for the article. Thanks, all, for the discussion/venting/sharing.

I’ve worked half-time in a paraprofessional position for decades, watching FT positions being cut into two PT along the way. To make ends meet I’ve always had at least three jobs, sometimes temporary or seasonal.

In 2002 I made the decision to get the MLS, dreaming of working in one place, FT, with a better salary level. While commuting to school full time I was working at two jobs until my last year when I picked up another library job. I graduated in 2006 and the dream is dimming.

Suffice it to say I am unable to relocate in the near future, maybe never if my situation does not change. So, I am working as a paraprofessional in a half-time position with some benefits in one library. I work as a paraprofessional in a part-time position (one day a week plus sub work) with no benefits during the school year in another library. Then, I work as a professional librarian (no benefits) in yet another library, but as a “sub.” So that’s three libraries. On the side I’ve had two other part-time positions (not in the library field) for decades. Yet, I make less than 30k/year. I’m blessed to say that I love each of my jobs, and I love the variety. Even the three library positions are very different from each other. But I still would like to stop job juggling – it is draining. I would like to be able to focus and really make a difference.

Alas, I am not alone. In my half-time position the vast majority of staff are also job juggling. Most of us feel like we have so much more to offer, but we are in boxes in many ways and on many levels.

In keeping my eyes peeled for library jobs, I’m seeing more and more PT with not-so-good pay. In my area of the country the vast majority of libraries are one-horse-shows requiring an MLS and experience, usually, but not always.

Although financially it is tough (and I’ve been crowned the Queen of Make-Do and Ms. Frugal) I’m glad that I have jobs. I will persevere and look forward to better times!

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 23:56:30 +0000

Seems like crux of this p-t stuff is this: do you want the job(s) and is there requisite pay, benefits and professional respect? I’m part-time for 3.4 years since downsizing. Not enough of any of the above is much coming my way(especially any carrying of any bit of insurance costs/coverage). Been exclusively looking for library jobs, but believe I need to move outside being captive of that box. I’m closer to retirement than I am for an extensive career.
Balancing? How? Get one-part time job and how do you fit in the next? In many libraries you’re on 2 nights per week. Will the 2nd (or 3rd) p-t place ask the same? Likely. What will give? Working all nights?
No one guarantees you job in life, but after awhile you gotta’ tire of the struggle. I work in a public, and the masses are beaten down for its lack of jobs and its facing similar issues. I put on a happy face, but how long does anyone persevere?

By: Emily Ford

Emily Ford — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:30:12 +0000

I’m sorry you’re having a negative experience, Denise. That certainly doesn’t sound like your professional skills are being put to good use. Without a challenge we are all apt to get bored and aggravated!

I wonder if you could talk to your supervisor’s boss about some of your issues? Would it help to try and advocate for yourself that way?

No one likes being in a bad work environment that doesn’t support you being proactive about your learning. It sounds like you might try to create some conversation about your situation where you work to see if there might be some opportunities for you to have more support to use your skills. Hang in there!

By: Emily Ford

Emily Ford — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:26:55 +0000

This must be so incredibly discouraging, Marcia! I really hope that some library will see the light and be able to recognize your incredible experience and dedication to the profession. Don’t give up, we need people like you in librarianship!

By: Emily Ford

Emily Ford — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:23:56 +0000

thanks for bringing this up, Hannah. It’s definitely a big issue; especially when librarianship is a 2nd or 3rd career for many people who already have established “adult” lives.

You are quite right that networking is really tied in with the professional development community. However, I have seen people do amazing networking just by harnessing the power of their ISPs and logging into LinkedIn, ALAConnect, and other sites. Have you tried networking in that way at all? If so, was it useful?