Friday, January 26, 2007

Friday, January 26, 2007

This has been a worldwind of experiences for me since leaving my rotation as a Law Librarian In Residence at the University of Notre Dame Law School-Kresge Library. I finished on a positive and good note working with Dwight, Beth, Warren, and Chris. I received an amazing amount of support from the Research Department including the ladies of the Circulation Staff (A "shout-out" to Mary and Anita!). Ed's assistant Terri made sure I left with some mementos of the Law Library (yoo-who!). I didn't get a fleece jacket like Felicia, but I got a fabulous writing instrument to add to my writer's collection. Dwight mentioned that I can use him as a reference for future use. He is one of the most easygoing, and confident men I have ever met in this academic library profession, and he was an awesome boss and mentor to me. I will have to make sure I stay in contact with him. Chris and I are going to schedule lunch in the future as soon as I can navigate my schedule better here in the Hesburgh Library. Most importantly, I received the most support on a daily basis with our Research Assistant in the Law Library, from Mrs. Beth Klein. We shared tea bags, laughs about being parents and wives, and more importantly, she help me a lot through my unnecessary anxiety moments I experienced working in an area of law to which I have a newfound respect for in academic librarianship. Working in the Law Library gave me opportunity to work on my articles and to research subjects that I would never have known how to acquire without my Law Library education via the Legal Research Course! Thanks again and forever humbled by this experience.
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The very next day, I was headed to Seattle WA via Detroit Metro Airport. When I got on the plane to Seattle, it was like walking into a reunion of sorts. Many of my Professors, and classmates from Wayne State University were aboard. It was similar to the experience Norm of Cheers! television show experience: "where everyone knows your name...." I do remember requesting an isle seat due to my back spasms but I ended up sitting between two very tall gentlemen. I died a thousand deaths on this 3 hour and 39 minute journey. Upon arriving to Seattle, I found that it was cheaper to pay for a limo/private car than to take a taxis to get to my hotel in Seattle!

Traveling aside, this was my first visit to Seattle, and I have to say, I learned quickly why its known as th emerald city. I ate really healthy, and treated myself to a Lemon Drop drink at my new favorite restaurant in Seattle: Bambuza-A Vietnamese Bistro. I ate vegetarian while in Seattle except for the occasional grilled chicken dish. I walked a lot going up and down hills with the exception that when my bags were full, I cabbed it back to my hotel, which is now my favorite hotel in Seattle: Pike Street Suites. A beautiful breakfast with the best coffee I have had in my life as well as herbal teas were available at my disposal. My only quirk with my trip was that I was the passenger that paid the bucks for the ride, but the driver decided that white is right and my black self didn't count. I made sure I reminded him that the color of my money is green, which is his favorite color when servicing the public. He got the message.

FANTASTIC EVENT OF THE CONFERENCE? My committee meetings were absolutely wonderful. We got a lot of work decided upon, and there was a sense of accomplishment. We really set the tone of our committee and I am glad that at the last minute, I was able to go to Seattle. MY FAVORITE SOCIAL MOMENTS? Sharing laughs and a suite room that was "off the hook" with my roommate, Linda Shippert of Washington State University. She gifted me with a sinfully decadent gooseberry chocolate bar. I am still eating very small pieces to savor the flavor! HANGING OUT WITH THE NMRT CREW!: This is a righteous group to laugh, eat, and drink with. On top of everything else, I won the first Door Prize of the evening-WOO-WHO!
Hanging out with Bethany (Davenport Univ.-Granger, IN & fellow WSU LS Alum), My number one fan, Elisabeth R. Rodriguez, Latanya N. Jenkins, and Catherine F. Riehle from Purdue University! They made my weekend. Sorry girls, for pooping out of the late Saturday night goins on, but I wanted to savor my P.T. at conference minus the hubby and the kids as much as I could before I returned home Monday evening. I enjoyed each of you, and I hope you can accept my invitation to Notre Dame (I sent you all e-mails this afternoon).

GOOD NEWS FROM ALA MID-WINTER: I was elected to be the lead editor of an upcoming CLIP Note publication, write a LIRT Newsletter article, and to get active with the ALA-Literacy Committee of Academic, Public, and Special Librarians! I take this honor seriously and without hesitation. Another Professional "shout-out" to: Beth Avery (Western State College of Colorado), Stacey A. Nickell (West Kentucky Community Technical College), and Jeff Knapp (Penn State Univ. -Altoona) and Dr. Dale P. Lipschultz, Literacy Officer for ALA, for giving me the opportunity to work on some AWESOME projects with you!

THANKS FOR SHARING AND GIVING ME SOUND PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IN SEATTLE: Dr. Cora P. Dunkley,Professor-School of Library & Information Science @ University of South Florida along with Grand Dame Miss. Henrietta (I am honored and graced with your presence), Ms. Peg Earheart, Manager, Library Annex, of Vanderbilt University, and last but certainly not the least, Mr. Michael F. Russo, of Louisanna State University. There is much wisdom and guidance in the Library Profession, and the good Lord made it so to meet these dynamic professionals at this stage in my Academic Library Career.

WELCOME BACK TO HESBURGH LIBRARY!
It is good to be back here in the environment of which I started my residency. I look forward to working with what I have deemed, "The two Sherri/Cheri's". I am off and running with my projects with Sherri. I look forward to meeting with Cheri and Felicia next Monday.

WHEW! Lots to digest, but I am "floating on air" at the possibility of where the direction of my academic career is moving towards.........................................

-Leslie

2 comments:

none said...

Sorry about the crappy cabby :)
It was really great getting to know you and I look forward to seeing your NMRT article about the meet & greet :)
-Elisabeth

A Resident's Tale said...

You do read my Blog! Rightous!
Leslie