{"id":2166,"date":"2012-03-05T10:12:43","date_gmt":"2012-03-05T15:12:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=2166"},"modified":"2012-10-15T17:51:51","modified_gmt":"2012-10-15T21:51:51","slug":"amanda-fensch-in-six","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=2166","title":{"rendered":"Amanda Fensch …In Six"},"content":{"rendered":"

My interview with Girls in the Stacks<\/a> Amanda!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Naomi: <\/strong>What made you interested in blogging for or starting Girls in the Stacks?:
\nAmanda: <\/strong>I\u2019d been reading the blog for some time and always thought the ladies of GiTS were funny and interesting. I also really liked the fact that they predominantly reviewed YA lit, which has been my choice of reading material for the last couple of years. When I saw a posting in late January this year for help with their blog content and getting to post reviews, I jumped on it.<\/p>\n

Naomi: <\/strong>Are there other blogs or resources you can recommend?:
\nAmanda: <\/strong>Definitely be reading Sarah Houghton\u2019s blog, The Librarian in Black<\/a>. I can\u2019t recommend her enough \u2013 she\u2019s scary smart and not afraid to voice her opinions about what\u2019s going on in the library and publishing world. I would also definitely recommend the Swiss Army Librarian<\/a>, Brian Herzog\u2019s blog about library work. Also add to your reading list Agnostic, Maybe <\/a>by Andy Woodworth, In the Library with the Lead Pipe<\/a>, David Lee King\u2019s blog<\/a>, and Designing Better Libraries<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As far as other resources go, follow librarians and libraries on Facebook, Twitter, and G+. There are huge circles of librarians of all flavors on G+ and I\u2019ve had some of the best interactions with other professionals and to \u2013 be professionals on that site. Secondly, get your hands on professional publications and journals. I find the prices charged for many of the books put out by ALA and its divisions a little hard to swallow for my personal collection (especially when many of my interests lie in technology and social media, which changes insanely quickly), so I borrow them from libraries in our consortium. If your library isn\u2019t subscribing to professional journals, see if you can reach out and find someone who would be willing to send you their old copies.<\/p>\n

And if you want a new perspective on the faces of libraries, be checking out This is What a Librarian Looks Like<\/a>. We are a creative, funny, fabulous bunch!<\/p>\n

Naomi: <\/strong>Favorite library you have been to?
\nAmanda: <\/strong>Sadly, I\u2019ve not been to many libraries outside of my state since I haven\u2019t done a lot of traveling (yet). But as far as what I\u2019ve seen here, Columbus Metropolitan Library<\/a>, the main building in downtown Columbus, Ohio, is so amazing. It\u2019s a wonderful mix of beautiful architecture, well – maintained collections, and despite its size, a rather comfortable atmosphere.<\/p>\n

Naomi: <\/strong>Favorite book?:
\nAmanda: <\/strong>Ugh, THIS question! If you forced me (and I do mean forced, like my life depended on it or something similar) to pick my favorite book, I would have to go with Where the Sidewalk Ends <\/em>by Shel Silverstein. That book got me through so many tough points when I was a kid and I have many, many fond memories of wrapping myself in Silverstein\u2019s humor and enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

Naomi: <\/strong>Favorite thing about libraries\/ library technology?:
\nAmanda: <\/strong>Things are always changing! We\u2019re at this point in time where technology and innovation are doing amazing things and I love getting my hands on new pieces of stuff<\/em> to play with. But there\u2019s a caveat with technology in libraries that many of us already know but need to make heard in the outside world \u2013 technology is still not going to write that seven page report on William Shakespeare for you, not if you care about copyright and finding good resources. I don\u2019t care how fast Google is, you can\u2019t replace solid knowledge and research skills with a search engine. Librarians are awesome like that, and the more we adapt and understand about how technology affects us, the better we can serve those who come to us.<\/p>\n

Naomi: <\/strong>Best piece of job hunting advice?:
\nAmanda: <\/strong>If you are new to the field and don\u2019t have a lot of experience under your belt in libraries, read everything you can get your hands on. Job experience is important, but I\u2019ve been in many interviews where what I knew about what was going on in the library field turned out to be more important than what I had actually done in a library environment. Think outside the box when searching for jobs, too. Many private businesses are looking for people who have the organizational, indexing, and research skills that only librarians bring to the table.<\/p>\n

If you are looking for a new job or atmosphere after a few (or maybe many) years of library work, don\u2019t limit yourself to just your specialty. If there is something you have wanted to get involved with concerning another bracket of the field, do your homework. Get talking to librarians online, read the blogs and websites and printed publications, and know your stuff. That will be a big help when you\u2019re putting together resumes, cover letters, and ideas for questions you might be asked in an interview.<\/p>\n

I spend my days as a picture book – wielding Children’s Librarian who also works with all kinds of crazy fun technology and has a tendency to talk to herself when she’s concentrating. I have a huge collection of books and I’m always adding to it, since I’m a voracious reader. I also review for VOYA<\/a>, contribute to the Closed Stacks blog<\/a>, and I\u2019m having a great time as the newest member of Girls in the Stacks<\/a>! When I’m not reading, you can find me hanging out with my fabulous husband, playing with my three cats, walking in parks, snapping photos, and listening to my beloved Foo Fighters.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

My interview with Girls in the Stacks Amanda! Naomi: What made you interested in blogging for or starting Girls in the Stacks?: Amanda: I\u2019d been reading the blog for some time and always thought the ladies of GiTS were funny and interesting. I also really liked the fact that they predominantly reviewed YA lit, which…<\/p>\n

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