Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

It was suggested that a man, over the age of 40, won't easily find employment in our biz of librarianship. Is this true? If it is true, what are some reasons? I just don't know.

I find this all rather disturbing, because ... well ... I'm looking for the next step in my career (i.e., looking for a professional posting) and ... hmmm ... I have a confession....

I, too, am White, 40+ ... and Male.

Hey, wouldn’t Red Green say something here like, “I’m a man … but I can change … if I have to … I guess”? [Who is Red Green? Well, someone has to tell you. Look here: http://www.redgreen.com/]

For a while I've had the sense of something untoward in the biz, but I find myself repeatedly avoiding that ... ummm ... sense. I just don’t want to go there; it’s too nasty. Ours is so pure and noble a profession. Perhaps, I realize that to acknowledge that funky smell is to give it form, credibility … reality. If I don’t acknowledge it … well … hopefully it will go away. I’m not so sure about that, though.

I must say that while writing this note, at this very moment, I feel the trepidation of approaching a taboo subject. I ask, “How can I, a white, 40+, male dare claim any sort of discrimination when I have all the benefits and advantages of my white, 40+, male world?” I worry that someone within the profession will recognize me and I’ll be labeled as a trouble maker, a hot potato. I worry that to speak my concerns would be to smear myself with a very peculiar, unemployable smell. I don’t know that I can ... or should.

However, upon reviewing some of my earlier posts, I recognize that I have alluded to the topic on two previous occasions. For example:

… I have been informed by insiders that I threatened the position of the head research librarian with my knowledge of current information sources, technologies and practices, and ... most unbelievably ... because I am male. My star was rising too quickly and I had come to the positive notice of the powers-that-be; 'noted in dispatches', as it were. Also, because I am male and knowledgeable, confident, well-spoken, well-dressed ... a.k.a. 'professional' ... clients assumed I was the manager.

See: Which kind of librarian are you?
See also: Back into the Stacks)

I’m still having difficulty mentioning this topic. Believe me, I am. I don’t abide any discrimination of any sort. I will and do speak against it if and when I see it. I'm not militant, but I do attempt to live by positive example. Come on people, really: Don’t we all benefit from a diversity of influences? There are even laws about in-breeding, for gosh-darned sakes, forgive my Flanders-ism. The concept of discrimination is a complete and utter wonk to me.

I recognize the privilege of my state: White male. I recognize the benefit of my age: Experience and Professionalism. I cannot … do not … want to, or need to acknowledge that my privilege is my disadvantage.

But I don't know. I'm not sure. Could I be so naïve? Could I be so wrong? Should I say I'm sorry? Should I change? Should I have to?

No! I am a professional. I carry myself in a professional manner, one which is appropriate to my background, experience and age. I expect others in my field to act in a manner appropriate to our profession. I'm not a stiff ... and I'm not going to act like a victim. Granted, how authentic is it to act like a professional when you can't even find a position within your field of expertise?

For damn's sake....

The Job Search Continued....

During the past seven days, I've submitted ten application packages to professional librarian postings within Canada. An additional five packages will be submitted by month's end, based upon current postings. Also, I am preparing packages for international positions located in the US, UK and France. The tally of packages submitted over the past three-month period is 60-odd.

I'm keeping on top of this job search monster despite the surprises and disappointments experienced recently. Indeed, recent feedback from one interview stated ... yes, stated ... that I am not employable because I am not currently employed. Apparently, it's about "Hiring on the fly" and it's all the new HR rage. You see, a company wants what another company already has. If one is not with a company, then another company doesn't want you.

Other feedback indicated that, due to my 3-month lack of full-time employment, (yes, I maintain a PT position as a Reference Librarian), my skills are now too rusty and I require additional academic time to bring my skills up to date. I believe this plays into the "Hiring on the fly" trend in HR. (Yes, I agree that maintaining currency is vital to our work. Indeed, as a professional in my field, I actively strive to remain current within and beyond my profession. After all, this is my profession. I am a professional librarian.)

This is a frustrating experience.

What are your experiences, insights, suggestions, observations?

Happy (Chinese) New Year!!!

So, here we are already: The Year of The Rat!

Specifically, 2008 is the Chinese Female Brown Earth (Soil) Rat year. This day is a new moon day, the first day of the first Chinese lunar month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar system. The exact new moon time is at 11:44 on 07-Feb-08 in China.

Now, to further quote from Chinese Astrology Online:

"If we apply Chinese lunar calendar system on the USA time zones, we find something interesting here. In the US Pacific Standard Time (PST), the new moon time is at 19:44 of 2-06-08. In the US Eastern Standard Time (EST), the new moon time is at 21:44 of 2-06-08. Therefore, the Chinese New Year day for USA time zones is on February 6th, 2008."

Well, in my books it's always time for good, healthy, happy & peaceful celebration.

Priorities ... or Life in Flux

I was email conversing with my fave 'bro today ... one of my brothers. He was telling me that one of my nephews was going to a broom ball competition this coming week, while the other had opted for skiing. I mentioned that I'd take the skiing, too.

Honestly, there's nothing like a ski bunny to warm ... one. However, there's a lot to be said about ... broom ball girls. Hmmm....

Ya, I don't know what's going to happen on the job front. Amongst many others, I'm applying for another position in Ottawa. The Ottawa job is lower pay, bruises my ego a bit, but who knows, right? It would be an economic shift, but TO's a bit too much city for us (me). The restaurants in TO are great, but I can't dig a garden. Quality of life ... priorities.

There's this funny thing going on in my head these days: What's more important? Money or being happy & comfortable? Sure, we're happy and relatively confortable each day in our rented TO digs, but TO smells of sewage & too many peole get shot. I'm sure that if one of us finds a regular gig in Ottawa, we'll be there ASAP. Until then, we continue to watch the house/condo market in TO, watching for a decent investment & return on our lucre. We're in flux ... and the roots really need to go down.

I'm saving up for new computer components: MoBo, CPU, etc. Funny, though: It all comes down to cash flow. Imagine that! Until things sort out, I'm plonking on an antiquated HP 7936 relic that drives me up the wall & back down again. (No love for HP here.) How's your computer working? Have you done any upgrades? Any needed?

I'm looking at a MoBo/CPU combo via http://www.tigerdirect.ca/. Probably, I'll go with an ASUS or Abit (most positive comments, when I've asked), AM2 socket, 5400-6400, 2G+ RAM, etc.... Helping time pass while in the job market.

Any suggestions?

US Election '08

Now, I'm not one to often discuss US politics. The eight-year rule of GWB put an end to my belief of fair and representative government ... more rose-coloured glasses to the way-side.... However, here's my one & only input on the subject.

What's going on?

Well, I haven't written any for a bit. I've thought it best that I don't. You see, I'm giving up smoking. I'm a very crabby, nicotine deprived, unemployed librarian who's just spent the holidays with too many in-laws.

However, there are lots of stories to share ... and share them I will ... just as soon as I stop jonsing (joansing?) for nasty nico at such an acute level. Wish me luck.

Cheers ... & belated Happy New Year!

The Quick Fix

Business is based upon the timely analysis and application of relevant and precise information. With this in mind, how are financial shortfalls resolved in the corporate world? With responsible consideration, foresight ... and due consideration afforded the on-site information professional, of course.

CFO: "We're in financial trouble."

Executive Office: "Why?"

CFO: "Because we've mishandled our accounts. We don't have enough money."

Executive Officer: "It's time to get rid of unnecessary expenses. What do you suggest?"

CFO: "Stop the daily flower delivery; delay staff paycheques; close the library and fire the librarian. You know, the 'frills'."

Executive Officer: “What ever. Do it.”

It's true. It happened on Friday. I see elements of Slippery Slope or even Avalanche happening here. With such responsible consideration and foresight, it's no surprise the corporate debt goes unpaid.

Incidently, as I write this, I've received a call from the company asking that I come to negotiate an independent contract for my services. Now, as an independent contractor, do I wish to enter into an agreement with a company that exhibits an inability to honour its financial responsibilities?

I'll write a bit more about it in the coming days. In the meantime, this librarian has resumes to prepare.