Feeling like the ultimate nerd niche right now. I’m studying information science, specifically cataloguing, while in a library. Immersive experience. Like a 4D movie.

Self-portrait on Lined Notebook Paper, c. 2023

Life lately.

I may look calm but I'm actually nervous for the upcoming semester– no, mixed emotions! I'm excited but also scared to meet new faces. I hope I can make friends this time.

I don't really leave the house that often, but I've been going out for the past weeks– eating out, and meeting colleagues. I always stay indoors reading books, playing games with a friend, crafting trinkets and then recently, doing advance reading before the semester starts!

[ Bought green and beige colored stuff for this academic year. Lmao. Here I am again with color coding my things just because ;; ]

Took a walk around the city yesterday and only came home with 2 books….I’d call that a success!

furthermore, marie kondo was right about paring down your personal library, and people shouldn’t feel guilty about giving away, recycling, or throwing out books.

TMAGP's classification system is definitely a bit chaotic, but frankly after using the Library of Congress Classification System while working at a library I'm just like yeah classification systems are like that. Here are real actual categories the LCC has:

misc. biographies "including adventurers, eccentrics, misers, etc."

dueling as it relates to chivalry and knighthood

the biographies of archivists

"circuses, spectacles, etc." which includes "rodeos, waxworks, amusement parks, etc."

nudism and sunbathing

These are all organized in a series of pdfs which you can find here: https://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/

Anyways, the LCC is a delight to look through and TMAGP's classification system reminds me of it 💗

Envoi

A beautiful envoi from Sorting things out: Classification and Its Consequences by Geoffrey C. Bowker & Susan Leigh Star

saturday november 25th

trying to finish my exam today, but I'm not making much progress. I have to write 20 000-25 000 signs with spacing in Library and Democracy, and I'm currently on 14 000 signs. writing about book censorship and freedom of speech.

I like to use the Dictate function when I’m writing papers and doing homework for grad school, which is usually really helpful, except when the cat is bored

i got in AAAAAAAAAAA

here's to studying and living in the world of libraries, archives, and information science! (welp i have to learn coding/programming now)

(also this is me saying "i am dedicating this to myself, i hope i like it")

but damn i've waited for this moment for eight months now and i went through a lot for this, i really do hope i'll grow well here 🙏🌻

in DST terms, i can finally call myself a "Wickerbottom-in-training" 🤓 xD

let's goooo!

📚

Now, I just have to figure out how I’m paying for classes! (The plan is student loans, if my financial aid application goes through in time. Otherwise, I’ll need to defer to Fall 2023. But hey, either way ya boi’s on the way to a career in archives and/or librarianship!)

Hi Ludi, I need help preparing for a job interview, a job that would change my life. What are the essential elements of a 21st century academic library? Completely stuck. Thanks so so so much.

Well, each institution has its own priorities and ethos, so I'd really recommend doing some research on what those might be. But otherwise I'd say that the move from print to digital resources is a big one, especially post-COVID where remote and hybrid working/teaching/learning is becoming the norm. And teaching students (and staff!) information literacy skills is really important. It's really important to be able to give users the tools to run their own searches, empower them to use the materials the library has on offer without being daunted (because using a library can be really daunting, surprisingly).

Also, I've noticed that roles are becoming really decentralised, so it's good to be able to say you're adaptable, a quick learner, and able to work autonomously. And you might want to be subtle about this in an interview, but always remember that the student comes first. Don't forget that students are customers now (at least in countries where they're paying tens of thousands of whatever currency to be in university - I'm not sure where you're based), so customer satisfaction is king.

Hope that helps and good luck!

indexing a periodical and a book right now, will start coding later. ;;

i've been busy since the first week of september– juggling school, my small business, and personal stuff T^T mentally and physically tired, but it's alright! i'm happy that i'm still a functioning human working so hard in life lol <3

Read this before bed the other night and loved loved loved it 🤍

getting ahold of a book that might be a little too mature or complex for you as a kid is important. like, developmentally.

I am going to fail this cataloguing midterm 🙃 I try to use the examples on my professor's slides, so I don't understand how my answers are always wrong.

I just invited a game with my mom who is a retired librarian (also English teacher). I give her a topic and she tries to remember where in the Dewey Decimal system it goes.

Like mustard - in terms of biology? Cooking? Warfare (ie mustard gas)?