I like reading the blog's Underemployed and Notes from the Edge. I don't feel as alone in the current job market after reading them.

I have been out of school for three years. I have worked a few contracts. I am trying to find that elusive permanent job. I often wonder what others are doing to become more employable, to set themselves apart in a sea of underemployed, unemployed, contract employees, and those just looking for a career change. I have set a goal for myself to be more active in librarianship. I plan to achieve this through networking and volunteering. It's a little crazy and a little hairy at times. Is it the right solution?

Our library is investigating/developing a set of policies and procedures to deal with the possibility of a patron reporting a missing child to library staff.

Does anyone have an established policy, and would you please share it with us?

Thanks
--Paul Axford
Clarington Public Library
paxford@clarington-library.on.ca

Mark asked for some more information about the Mergent reports I had shared.

In 2008 the annual subscription was $2,500 a year. Access to the reports is limited to in library use although I can email the reports to customers as well. Currently the reports are accessed between 40-50 times a month.

They can be used for a variety of questions. There is a local program to help new Canadians who want to start their own businesses. The instructor includes a visit to the library as part of the program. The students have to complete a market research project on their future business. The market trends and industry profile information are a starting point for the students to become familiar with the Canadian market.

Windsor PL is working on a pathfinder of government and other websites that would be of particular interest to inventors. I would welcome any additions and corrections. (Thanks to Mark for providing this opportunity.)

Tentative title: FROM MINDSTORMS TO MARKET

PROTECTING YOUR CREATION
Canada. Canada Business. About Intellectual Property. “Learn why intellectual property is important to business and how to apply it to your ideas, creations and inventions.”

Hello folks:

Thanks to Mae (Windsor PL) for suggesting this site. I'm confident it will be a good meeting "space" for us to share news, resources and insights until our next meeting in London, likely in the spring of 2011.

A big thank you for sharing what you have, so far.

Let's keep in touch.

Mark

Hi all!

First of all, let me introduce myself. I am currently an MI student at U of T's Ischool and is hoping to become a children's librarian. Any experienced children's librarian (or any other type of) out there willing to offer any advice in achieving my goal? Currently, there isn't a lot of focus in this particular field in my studies. Though, I could research the heck out of this, I thought going to "the source" would be the most helpful. I am particularly interested in finding out any issues that you are currently dealing with in this profession that you wish your earlier MI student selves were told about or were aware of. And, I am curious about any "trends" that you see regarding this field? As in, will I still have a position to fill when I finish my degree? Are libraries still looking for children's librarians? etc, etc, etc, (>>invoking the King of Siam (Yul Brynner)from Rodger and Hammerstein's production of "The King and I)