Changes and adapting

When anyone mentions change, some folks cringe and some folks say "Hey, I'll try it!"  I'm usually in the "try it" camp.  As long as I'm not asked to jump off a cliff, I'm usually an early adopter or at least early trial-er of whatever, whether it's a computer program, a new database interface, or trying out some new feature/service. 

Change has come in wave after wave after freaking wave the past two weeks, and I'm a little weary at this point.  I rarely blog about work, but I'll put down a few words here and now.  Our library building is going through a major expansion/renovation.  Phase I involves building a high density storage facility south of the existing building.  The south entrance will be closed off.  The only entrance/exit will be on the floor and by the desk I supervise.

All sorts of interesting things have come up.  I knew we'd be dealing with some issues -- like opening up circulation for all materials at our desk.  There would be more traffic, more noise, and I had put forward some proposals about how to address that issue.  We'd worked on a proposal to move my office and my assistant's office away from the construction noise and hubub (after all, if you're a music librarian, you need your hearing!).

And more... fire code dictates a directional wall be built.  In the Music Library.  Okay.  So what can I do about this wall -- all the way to the ceiling, have glass in it to view patrons (security measure), can we add electric outlets so folks can plug in laptops? 

Yes, we need to add more PCs to have more circulation stations at our desk.  Means we need more power and data lines.  Looks like the granite counter will need to be removed (I'll spare you some of the rest of the details) -- and how in the world will we keep services going during this?  I'm still chewing on that one.

We've moved furniture around to be able to get items off of the wall adjacent to the construction -- some shelving will be moved, but huge high-density microfilm storage is on our floor -- and it will be moved away from the construction wall too.

I'm trying to keep my attitude positive.  Nearly every day brings a new wrinkle, a new twist, and something new to wrap my mind around.  And with each new development, I ask myself how this impacts our patrons.  How can we make this work the best for our students, faculty, and staff?

And did I mention my supervisor is retiring and my evening/weekend assistant is moving to Florida?  Egad.  But I've had a few miracles happen recently -- my assistant's position was posted quickly, and a number of new databases were funded.  I'll take the good news where I can get it.

Comments

[Leslie]

Sounds like you should make another visit to the hubcap margarita place!