The Joy of Networking

I have been in my new job for two and a half months.  It is going great.  The folks there are really nice.  I work with about ten people at headquarters and then have about 25-30 folks who work in the districts and divisions.  Most of those folks are Librarians but there are some Library Technicians too.

There is a lot to learn.  The librarians in the field have been with the agency longer than I.  Some have had their entire careers with the agency and they are true experts.  My role is to give direction and policy.  But shortly after I got started on the job I was approached by a couple folks who want to review the structure of our libraries.

Help!

It isn't that I'm not up to the challenge - I just know I cannot do this on my own.  Let the networking begin!

I have been reaching out to other military librarians and federal librarians.  In the past couple of weeks I have spoken to Librarians from Veterans Affairs, Library of Congress, NOAA, the Federal Reserve Board.  Next week I will talk to the head of the EPA Libraries and another with Homeland Security.

Eventually I will need to put pen to paper, rather fingers to keyboard and start working on the plan for my libraries.  Before I do that I need to continue my outreach to the librarians at my own agency.  Whatever plan I come up with isn't just my plan - it is our plan.

I also realized that I need to communicate in a more regular fashion.

Several years ago in a staff meeting at a different agency our boss was talking about changes at the agency.  He couldn't tell us everything that was going on but he shared what he could.  I said that it would be good to have regular communication because if we aren't told what is going on, we're quite capable of making things up.

I don't want any of my folks fretting and making things up and listening to rumors.  I can't stop that, but the only counter to that is to provide them with the information that I have.

Not all networking is serious.  Last week I went to reception for the DC/SLA and got to see some good friends.  They were also reading tarot cards and I got a positive reading.  I'm happy with that - I still have to do the work - but at least I have some good energy as I forge ahead.

Veteran's Day - Victory Celebration

It was a long time ago that our men (mostly) fought in the Great War - the War to end all Wars. Sadly that war did not end all wars. More than anything WWI ended a way of life in much of the world and created the 20th Century. I would have liked that way of life - a time when there was more time to be with other people. It wasn't perfect - there was more disease and death and few modern conveniences. Still - read Shaw's Heartbreak House and you get a glimpse of that way of life.

This article was printed in The News - the Democrat newspaper - in 1918 describing what happened in my hometown of Berkeley Springs, WV when word came that the Armistice had been signed and there was peace and that the sons of many would be coming home.

Mr. P.R. Lawyer mentioned in the article is my great-grandfather. His older son (Herbert Lawyer, left photo) served in the army (and played euphonium in the band) in France during WWI.

Many thanks to our veterans who have served over the years and a continued prayer for peace everywhere.

VICTORY CELEBRATION!

Early on Monday morning the ringing of bells and blowing of whistles proclaimed the confirmation of the signing of the Armistice and very soon the streets were thronged with happy people.

The pupils of Mt Wesley and North Berkeley schools, with their teachers formed in line and about ten o'clock marched up Washington Street and back to the square with waving flags and banners. They were joined in line of march by numbers of autos whose occupants were waving flags and blowing horns.

As the parade came around the grass plot on Fairfax street, Mr. P. R Lawyer came out to the street, and with tear dimmed eyes, played "Joy to the World" on his cornet, a most touching incident.

A number of speeches were made from the Court House steps, one gentleman saying, We will have our big celebration when our boys come home, and the applause was deafening.

During the afternoon flags and bunting were displayed everywhere: electric lights were strung across the square and by seven o'clock the town was alight. All business houses and private homes were illuminated and streets full of people.

A parade formed at the depot led by the City Band, supplemented by members of the Greenwood Band and marshalled by Messrs, J.A. Proctor and W.O. Hughes. Miss Portia Sallade, in khaki uniform represented “A Girl of Today” and Miss Maude Bechtol represented "Joan of Arc." The Red Cross and Y.W. C. A. were well represented by young ladies carrying banners and were followed by the Boy Scouts. Bunting and flag trimmed autos, trucks with occupants in fancy costume, all tooting horns and waving flags, and a Red Cross-float, with Miss Pauline Sallade as a Red Cross nurse, supporting a wounded soldier attracted much attention.

At 8:30 a huge bonfire was lighted on the level in front of Mr. F. R. Reed's residence.

Everyone was joyous and yet through it all ran a strain of sadness, in the thought of those whose loved ones will not come home. It was a great celebration and a day long to be remembered.