I used to be a librarian. You may have guessed that from the title of the blog. I worked part time, mostly in the evenings, and I really loved my job. I loved purchasing books and helping people find materials. I loved the randomness and questions that a day at the Information Desk would bring. I loved writing guest spots for the library’s article the city’s weekly newspaper insert. But most of all, I loved planning programming.
I had several programs that I was responsible for. I ran an “edgy” book group that met at a bar and read anything but standard book group fare. I showed movies on different themes, and once even showed a Charlie Chaplin film outdoors with live organ music to accompany it. I scheduled a monthly program where we just made stuff – anything and everything that could be easily assembled in a library, in an hour or two.
I had so many ideas, I didn’t get to implement them all. Some were shot down because they were too costly. Some were too risque or “out there.” Others, I just didn’t have the time to do. I was a librarian for six years, and by that last year, I really felt that I was getting pretty good at it.
But also in those six years, I had two kids. As my eldest rapidly approached school age, it dawned on me that if I continued working nights, I would not be able to spend very much time with him once he started school. So I made a very difficult decision, and chose to stay home instead.
That was three years ago. I have continued to do library programming, only now as the contracted person rather then the organizer. I’ve promoted those programs on local television stations, and even was a guest for a YouTube tutorial for a friend’s business. But always, I have done programming on someone else’s timeline.
As an avid crafter and general lover of random things, I often think “man, this would be a great program.” I used to channel that into work, or suggest a topic to the local librarians I know. But now, with many in-person classes being delayed or canceled, I was considering outlets for this creative drive. How can I share what I love with people who might feel the same?
The answer, friends, is this blog, and hopefully soon a YouTube channel, since lots of things are easier to show, rather than to describe. Here, I hope to talk about crafting, DIY, homeschooling, books, and the everyday adventures we have as a family. I’m keeping the topics wide open because honestly, my attention and interests sway with the seasons and the years. But it will always be things that are interesting to me, which I often assume will also be interesting to others.
So, if you’ve made it this far, welcome. I hope to see you again soon.
The Erstwhile Librarian 