Lisa A. Raney

As can be witnessed in my previous blog, this year been a whirlwind. These past few years have been a whirlwind, especially now that 2.5 years have passed since I have graduated from library school, and in that time I have sent out hundreds of cover letters and resumes. I may still be on my search for my full-time job as a librarian, but so far it has allowed me the opportunity to take advantage of many experiences that I may not have otherwise had the opportunity to experience.

Today, I am pulling together projects and documents I have done in the past. In the process, I have stumbled upon a list I compiled of some of the things I did in the first eight months after I graduated from library school, aside from the requisite cover letter and resume writing. I had mostly forgotten about most of these things, and these are mostly things that I no longer list on my resume because it would be too lengthy!

Post-Grad School: The First Eight Months

• Volunteered as Archives Assistant at Lexington History Museum 1/2011-3/2011.

• Moved from Lexington, KY to Cincinnati, OH 3/2011.
• Worked as a Softlines Merchandising and Customer Assistant at Sears, 6/2011– 6/2012

• Volunteered at Homework Central's Brain Camp and as a tutor in Homework Central twice a week from 6/2011 – 8/2011.
• Started working as a Homework Help Aide at the Northside Branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County in 8/2011 (until starting my current position).

• Attended Special Libraries Association (SLA) Resume Program on 7/21/2011 at Rookwood Commons.

• Organized and hosted yard sale: researched, created and posted flyers, contacted friends/neighbors, organized, priced, and cleaned items, set up for sale, sold items, and cleaned up after sale.

• Organized a meal train for grandmother: researched meal train and other options, researched her dietary restrictions, created meal train plan and page catered to her needs, and distributed this information to friends and family.

• Babysat for young nieces independently and cooperatively on a semi-regular basis; organized activities including those leading to increased literacy, and provided discipline when necessary.

• Assisted in care of elderly and disabled grandmother: getting her off dialysis bus, assisting with meal preparation and miscellaneous chores.

• Attended Webinar sessions including Careers in Federal Libraries,Accidental Governmental Librarian, and sessions on searching for genealogical sources.

• Prepared bibliography of disability-related resources.

• Provided informal instruction on use of Internet and Internet searching techniques for family members.

• Provided career resource assistance for college-bound cousin.

• Created and maintained a professional Twitter account.

• Created a professional website on webs.com.

• Began a running and yoga regimen.

• Planted a vegetable garden and 2 trees.