Posted by fallsfall on October 17, 2003, at 16:44:32
Finally! Good news!
I have been volunteering at my local library since early September. I go about 5 hours a week. I put new children's books into the catalog and do some computer stuff.
5 years ago when I was starting to feel better from my first depression I volunteered there and then was hired as a part time children's librarian. It was a great place to work. When I got better enough, I got a full time job as a Software Engineer.
So, now they have a 10 hour/week paid opening at the library. I submitted my resume, and the Library Director told me today that as long as my references and background check come out OK that I get the job!!! (Why we have to do references and background check since I worked there before and volunteer there now neither one of us can figure out, but I will jump through the hoops)
I could always volunteer 10 hours, but it is a little different when it is a real job. When you get paid you can't just decide that you don't want to show up a lot - so it requires more commitment. You also get a different attitude from the staff - they aren't as indebted to you because, after all, now you are getting paid. And if you do something wrong they can get mad, whereas if a volunteer does things wrong (after reasonable training), they tend to just give that kind of work to a different volunteer.
I'll be doing the same kinds of things I do as a volunteer, plus running the desk sometimes and shelving and whatever else they want me to do.
It is such a wonderful place to work. 99% of the people who come to the library are really nice people. I like the other staff. Libraries are very orderly (well, probably not as orderly as you think), and that is good for perfectionistic people like me.
Now I just have to hope that therapy is not so taxing that I can't find the energy to give it 10 hours a week. I told my therapist that in a week like this was, that I wouldn't be able to put in 10 hours. He may have to push a little less (though I like the amount of progress we can make when he pushes). We'll have to see how it goes. And if I can't do the 10 hours, they can advertise the position (which they didn't do this time because I expressed interest), and I can go back to volunteering. That would be OK, and the library staff wouldn't think badly of me if that happened.
Finally, a win-win situation!
poster:fallsfall
thread:270315
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20031011/msgs/270315.html