June 10
Ah, our last day of orientation week. I'm going to miss the come-in-late, leave-early schedule of orientation week but I'm actually looking forward to starting work on the projects, too. Yeah, yeah, I say that now before I put in 8-hour days working on unchallenging projects but hey, it's only 9 weeks.
In the morning, we met with one of the Library's reference librarians, who proceeded to give us yet another history of the library presentation. I really liked her presentation, but it was about the fourth time I heard most of the stuff. I guess the goal is to have all of us spouting the history of the Library by the time we leave. Interesting for sure, but how many times do I have to hear about how Thomas Jefferson was a destitute man thanks in large part to his passion for collecting books. Creditors were after him and, after a fire during the War of 1812 destroyed the Capitol and the Library housed there, he offered to sell his books to Congress to start the Library again. He fetched like $26,000 for his over 6,000 titles - which went directly to the creditors. And, of course, he immediately returned to buying books he couldn't afford. Interesting, sure, but even the most interesting story gets a little tiresome after hearing it over and over.
Immediately after that - where she also very very briefly showed us how to use our checkout privileges and reserve books - we got an insider's tour of the Jefferson building. I'm not sure what the public tour involves (maybe I should go on one of those, too…) but we saw some of the private rooms that Congresspeople and members of the Congressional Research Service can use when doing research at the Library. I took some pictures so once I get them developed, maybe I can post them. I'm not guaranteeing any skill there but I'll try. On the tour, we got more history of the Library, along with an extensive explanation of all the art and architecture incorporated in the building. Our tour guide was pretty long-winded. It's amazing the intricate detail involved with the art and architecture. The Jefferson building was built in 7 years and everything in it was finished by 1897. Some of the stuff seems to be a little ahead of its time apparently.
After lunch, we officially divided into our individual units and I guess will remain there for the rest of our tenure. We three Recorded Sound interns FINALLY met the staff from Special Materials, which is where we will be working half of the time. We FINALLY got a look at our workstations and yes, I do indeed get a computer and a telephone and even a cubicle. Oh, and a mentor. Our first order of business will be adding more details to database records… for instance, in many cases, song titles were not included as access points when CDs were added into the database so it will be our job to go back through these CDs and add more access points. Not too difficult but I'm excited to handle (and potentially listen to…) various CDs. I'm excited to get to start with that task.
Yeah, so, the catalogers we met are a different breed for sure. On the odd side definitely. I guess I shouldn't make a snap judgment from the approximately 12 minutes we spent with them but, then again, maybe it wasn't that inaccurate. One of our coworkers vehemently invited Ali and myself to the upcoming Flag Day celebration in the department. Whatever that means. Neither of us committed - primarily because we aren't really accustomed to being in charge of our own time at the Library. But, also, we were a little frightened by his insistence that we come. What exactly does a Flag Day celebration look like? I'm envisioning a parade around the office with flag bearers and perhaps a cake… seriously. I don't go anywhere without my camera here so I'm thinking there might be a good photo op. on Tuesday. I'll let you know. See you Monday.
In the morning, we met with one of the Library's reference librarians, who proceeded to give us yet another history of the library presentation. I really liked her presentation, but it was about the fourth time I heard most of the stuff. I guess the goal is to have all of us spouting the history of the Library by the time we leave. Interesting for sure, but how many times do I have to hear about how Thomas Jefferson was a destitute man thanks in large part to his passion for collecting books. Creditors were after him and, after a fire during the War of 1812 destroyed the Capitol and the Library housed there, he offered to sell his books to Congress to start the Library again. He fetched like $26,000 for his over 6,000 titles - which went directly to the creditors. And, of course, he immediately returned to buying books he couldn't afford. Interesting, sure, but even the most interesting story gets a little tiresome after hearing it over and over.
Immediately after that - where she also very very briefly showed us how to use our checkout privileges and reserve books - we got an insider's tour of the Jefferson building. I'm not sure what the public tour involves (maybe I should go on one of those, too…) but we saw some of the private rooms that Congresspeople and members of the Congressional Research Service can use when doing research at the Library. I took some pictures so once I get them developed, maybe I can post them. I'm not guaranteeing any skill there but I'll try. On the tour, we got more history of the Library, along with an extensive explanation of all the art and architecture incorporated in the building. Our tour guide was pretty long-winded. It's amazing the intricate detail involved with the art and architecture. The Jefferson building was built in 7 years and everything in it was finished by 1897. Some of the stuff seems to be a little ahead of its time apparently.
After lunch, we officially divided into our individual units and I guess will remain there for the rest of our tenure. We three Recorded Sound interns FINALLY met the staff from Special Materials, which is where we will be working half of the time. We FINALLY got a look at our workstations and yes, I do indeed get a computer and a telephone and even a cubicle. Oh, and a mentor. Our first order of business will be adding more details to database records… for instance, in many cases, song titles were not included as access points when CDs were added into the database so it will be our job to go back through these CDs and add more access points. Not too difficult but I'm excited to handle (and potentially listen to…) various CDs. I'm excited to get to start with that task.
Yeah, so, the catalogers we met are a different breed for sure. On the odd side definitely. I guess I shouldn't make a snap judgment from the approximately 12 minutes we spent with them but, then again, maybe it wasn't that inaccurate. One of our coworkers vehemently invited Ali and myself to the upcoming Flag Day celebration in the department. Whatever that means. Neither of us committed - primarily because we aren't really accustomed to being in charge of our own time at the Library. But, also, we were a little frightened by his insistence that we come. What exactly does a Flag Day celebration look like? I'm envisioning a parade around the office with flag bearers and perhaps a cake… seriously. I don't go anywhere without my camera here so I'm thinking there might be a good photo op. on Tuesday. I'll let you know. See you Monday.
posted by Cheri W. | 6:53 PM
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