One Year Anni-librarian-versary

Today marks my one year anniversary an an official professional librarian. I started working here at UTC on August 6th of 2007, and it has been quite the whirlwind of a year. I am surprised at the "year" marker - mostly because it both feels like I haven't been here that long, and that I've been here forever.

Let's do a mini-catalog of what I've accomplished since getting here:

• Had small article published in InfoCareerTrends;
  
• Had over 14 book reviews published;
  
• Peer-reviewed two book chapters;
  
• Peer-reviewed three articles;
  
• Elected to 2-year term on the University's Faculty Senate;
  
• Joined 2 ALA RUSA committees;
  
• Won a $1000 professional development grant from the University;
  
• Had poster session at ALA Annual;
  
• Wrote 3 book chapters (all still pending publication);
  
• Scheduled to co-speak at a preconference and a regular session at Internet Librarian in October;
  
• Expecting to have co-written conference proceedings paper published for IL08;
  
• Completed 2 semesters (32 hours) of MFA work;
  
• Completed 6 hours of MA work;
  
• published more than 15 poems in literary journals (not really librarian related, but not bad for a 12 month span).
  

Learning how to be a better teacher and librarian goes on this list, of course, since I work with some really great and talented people. I've jumped into social networking - a year ago, I wasn't on Twitter, Friendfeed, and barely had a presence on MySpace and Facebook. I now semi-regularly post to two different blogs (this one and my other one, can use a wiki pretty handily when necessary, and have made quite the cadre of libraryworld pals that I've never actually met in person, but contribute enormously to my life as a support system and stress reliever (I'm looking @ you, Chadwick!).

I've learned a great deal about teamwork and *gasp* effective committee work from my colleagues here at Lupton Library. (Note: I found this so surprising that it nearly always comes up in conversation if you ask me about my workplace.) I've learned how pleasant a healthy workplace environment can be when everyone has the same goal and a boss who backs them up to the highest levels.

I'll admit, all of this feels sort of puny, since I know there are folks out there (and right here in my own library - lookin' @ you, Griffey) who are writing books and heavily researched articles, who get speaking gigs across the country, and are going like gangbusters implementing the newshinyfangled stuff. But I'm very happy. I like my people. I like my place in things. I think there's a lot of good work to be done at this University to help students and faculty, and I'm pleased I can be a part of that improvement. I don't want to be a Rock Star Librarian so much, but I do want to be able to say that my contribution is worth something, and I want to be able to say, when the time comes, that I have earned tenure. I think this was a decent enough start at it.

So yay, anniversary. And a big shout-out to my colleagues who not only hired me, but make this a job that i actually enjoy coming to every day. You guys, you're the best. Group hug?