Those last one-to-two weeks of your summer reading program. Will it EVAH end?
The Staffers
Getting to burn-out stage. Double desk shifts. Covering for ALA attendance or vacations or sick time. Needing to work on upcoming fall initiatives but idea energy is low. So busy that sharing information on upcoming plans and changes slips through the cracks ("You did what?!?!). Second guessing programs that had low attendance. Irritation levels with patrons and co-workers creeping up.
The Room
Decorations starting to get tattered. Daily maximum capacity for hours at a time beginning to wear thin. People complaining about not enough computers, not enough seating and when is it quiet? The boat has now reached active staff-stink-eye-hate.
The Kids
Are very bored. Daycare groups can barely control behaviors and after hours each day working for minimum wage have developed the "thousand yard stare". Fewer kids maintain their involvement in SLP. Ennui has settled in.
The Adults
Have.Had.It. When is this thing called school starting? Easily irritated and sometimes actively testy with staffers. Giving a little love but not as much as usual.
What's to do?
Take a deep breath, find that calm center and bring back a little sparkle and magic within yourself to the surface. Actively approach your co-workers and patrons with a bit more kindness, a bit more patience and a healthy dose of humor.
Then start the count-down and know that the end is in sight. Treat yourself and your co-workers to a treat, an extra pat on the back, a favorite restaurant, cafe or tavern reward.
And keep telling yourself all things must pass and this edition of the summer library program will too.
What do you do to make it through the last weeks and find or keep your mojo?
YES YES YES. I'm kicking myself this morning for leaving two major programs (Dr. Seuss Day and our live animal program) until the last week of SRC. Today and tomorrow are gonna be busy!
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly. We put 4 powerhouse programs this second-to-last week. Gack!
DeleteWe actually run a staff summer reading program and monthly contests (for staff) as a "reward" for the extra business. Last week we did a Float off where we filled the fridge with ingredients for root beer floats and Boston Coolers and asked staff to vote for their fave.
ReplyDeleteOooh, delish. What a great idea!
DeleteI try not to have any major programs past the end of July and end all programs on the 2nd Saturday in August when summer reading ends (sort of - people can still come get prizes, but they don't get any more bookmarks/logs/etc.). I cut way back on the programs I left in August this year, so we just have a couple storytimes, Girls Night Out, and an end of summer reading party. The party used to be a huge extravaganza, but last year I was about to collapse (did I mention I was running a Scholastic Book Fair at the same time?) so now I just do a little casual thing and if only 25 people show up I'M GOOD. And I moved the book fair to May (where it was a dismal flop, but oh well)
ReplyDeleteGood strategies. We have to take advantage of these!!
DeleteLots of children's librarian happy hours. Lots of stolen moments hiding in the workroom for a quick break from hearing "Ms. Sarah" every 30 seconds. Time with friends not at all connected to library work.
ReplyDeleteBut the best is still meeting a new kid who's never been to the library and catching their enthusiasm and wonder, or seeing an afterschool regular who I haven't seen in a few months (they get so TALL) who just comes in to see if I remember them (I do).
Thanks, Marge, for your post. It's tiring to be in a public service profession, and this season is especially trying! Chin up, champs!
Thanks for the motivation. One of my team came in yesterday and said we need to make up a cheer to pull ourselves up - hence this post! We all nee pats on the back! Today everyone got 10 Hershey kisses for the 10 days left. They are magic pills you know!
DeleteI can't thank you enough for this post. To know that other children's librarians share this fatigue and burn-out is such a relief! (I thought I was being a baddy!) Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHappy summer!
Melisa
"Miss Lisa"
NC
It's so easy to feel like there must be something wrong with us when we hit this wall. We know it's a great thing but the unrelenting pace when others in our workplace and community are celebrating vacations and adventures and summer fun definitely take a toll. We are together in this and glad I talked about something that is pretty widespread helps me too!
DeleteOhhhhhhhhhhhhhh thank you! This post certainly resonated with me. If I had a staff, it would be great to pat or be patted on the back. I am pretty much alone on this road (thank goodness for my pt asst.)and I am counting the minutes until next week is over. After all these years, it is still just putting one foot in front of the other to get to the end. Extra sleep is a good thing to attempt to include in a schedule.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure feeling it too. I just started my job a few months ago so this has been my first Summer Reading Program -- at the beginning I found myself saying "why is our program only 6 weeks long and we end the first week of August?" and now I'm totally saying "wow I'm so glad this is our last week..." Deep breath, the end is in sight!!
ReplyDeleteSpot. On. I was just telling my coworkers today that I have just had it with summer. Even the good kids are "too much" right now. I'm taking my first real vacation-- not just a long weekend-- in three years at the end of August and I am soooo excited. I like the idea of the countdown kisses for staff. I may be making a grocery run yet tonight!
ReplyDeleteNot only was it wrap up summer reading program time, it was also budget season for me! UGH! There is nothing left here! :-)
ReplyDelete