Today I actually have time to write, which is nice. It has been so swamped lately; either Carrie or I have been sick, we've had an early release because of ice, then late start, then meetings, and miscommunications. It's okay, because it's Wednesday, the third day of a four-day-week, and we are doing pretty darn good considering the looming vacation ahead.
With our newest book order, we've been using something called a CoLibri machine. It's pretty much the easiest way to cover a book without ruining the book with acidic tape or the potential of the cover ripping or coming loose. Our CoLibri machine is a newer model, I believe, because it has an automatic covering pedal and button. The hardest part is literally getting the plastic book pocket on, not so much the sealing it.
It's pretty much a food vacuum packer, but for books.
I adore this thing. Granted, I do love covering books with the good ol' acrylic covers, the book tape; the noise, on the other hand, drove me bananas. I don't like interrupting or even seeming like I am a burden in any sense of the word. That's what the noise from traditional book covering made me feel like. NO MORE.
In other news, we've finally finished all the Grandparents and Special Friends Day stuff. Phew! We are grateful that we received such an abundance, but it was definitely a bit overwhelming. Carrie and I are both glad this is giving us the opportunity to beef up certain parts of our collection, replacing some of the gnarly (in the bad sense) copies that have been taking up precious shelf space.
Last week was a bit tough for me. Tuesday was the culmination of pure crazy. Carrie was sick, which left me in charge. I love being able to teach and spend more time with the kids. However, when there's only one of us, it is totally crazier than normal. There were our regular classes (only 4 that day, I think) plus our littlest friends in the CDC, plus two entire 4th grade classes coming to get biographies, plus volunteers, which I was so glad could help out, plus all the other library stuff I have to do (sort/input/process mail and periodicals, checking out, other projects that have been assigned to me, covering books, etc.).
IT WAS STRESSFUL.
But I've heard what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I am glad that I've grown a lot, not only in this job, but as a person. I'm not afraid of speaking up for myself or an idea any longer, but look forward to the opportunity to do so. I am making this blog a priority more, now that my brain is kind of functioning normally again.
I had a concussion in December, and have been feeling foggy, groggy, and constantly tired since then. I've been fighting telling myself that it's bad, that things are going to get worse. Now, I feel like my mental clarity has greatly improved and I'm also trying to speak more. Speaking is a little hard for me, don't know why. Fighting that thought, too.
In conclusion: three weeks until spring break!
(Sidebar: If this wasn't my professional library blog, I would totally link to a gif of James Franco as Alien from Spring Breakers saying "Spring break, spring break forever". Aren't you lucky this is a work blog?)
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