What my hobbies taught me about librarianship:

1. Be accepting of interruptions.
2. Be creative – think outside the box.
3. Be organized.
4. Be willing to try something different.
5. Continually read and research.
6. Document – ideas, decisions, sources.
7. Don’t be in a hurry; patience gets the best results.
8. Get rid of excess or unused items (give, sell or throw away.).
9. Give it your full attention.
10. Keep track of your inventory.
11. Listen to what someone is telling you.
12. Look in unexpected places for tools, ideas and help.
13. Pace yourself.
14. Read the instructions the first time.
15. Respect someone else’s property/materials.
16. See what ideas and thoughts others may have.
17. Share your ideas with others.
18. Teach others what you have learned.
19. Use the best materials.

20. Most of all – Enjoy yourself!


In other words:

1. Interruptions are part of life; you’re work will still be there.
2. How can you do this differently than what someone else has done?
3. Organization makes the work more efficient.
4. Don’t get stuck in a rut.
5. Buy all the latest books on technique, etc.
6. When you do something new, make a new decision; write down the process and rationale behind it.
7. When focusing on my projects, the hours fly by. So can work.
8. Deadwood takes up space, time and energy.
9. I get so absorbed that everything around me gets shut out, ignored; I’m unaware.
10. You’ll buy duplicates or lose track of what you have if you don’t.
11. Value the person in front of you; don’t daydream.
12. e.g.: miniature cookie cutters in cake decorating for polymer clay!
13. It’s easy to get in over your head.
14. How much time do I waste when I don’t read the directions first?
15. Cite your sources; ask to borrow.
16. Scrapbooking Parties/Library Conferences…
17. Back to those “swap meets” again.
18. Share and pass on what you have learned, to other people. Don’t be stingy.
19. Cheap materials are a waste of money in the long run.

20. Most of all – Enjoy yourself!