I’m chagrined. I have not been blogging often enough. My feeble excuse is that I don’t want to write to complain and bemoan my trying existence (which includes daily trials and tribulations with commuting in the DC area!) OK, I know that this existence is really not so trying… no death, sickness or pestilence for me and mine …so I will count my blessings in this new year. Learning is one of my blessings.

As the first semester at my new job concluded, a favorite blogger of mine, Professor Hacker, reminded me to “Write an End of the Semester Roundup Post” on my blog. But, he also suggested to unplug at the end of the semester – so I did that first! For about a week!

A new semester gives me a chance – not to start over – but to build on what I’ve learned (and what I need to learn) about my new workplace. Reading helps me learn.

Who’d have thought there was so much to learn about management. Daniel Pink, who first taught us about A Whole New Mind, has a new book I highly recommend – Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. What motivates us? Autonomy. Mastery. Purpose. More importantly, to do work  “ in the service of a cause greater than ourselves.”

We know that human beings are not merely smaller, slower, better-smelling horses galloping after that day’s carrot. We know – if we’ve spent time with young children or remember ourselves at our best – that we are not destined to be passive and compliant, but designed to be active and engaged. And we know that the richest experiences in our lives aren’t when we’re clamoring for validation from others, but when we’re listening to our own voice – doing something that matters, doing it well, and doing it in the service of a cause greater than ourselves.

I’m also reading Living in More Than One World: How Peter Drucker’s Wisdom Can Inspire and Transform Your Life by Bruce Rosenstein so that I can particpate in a SLA-DC book discussion group with fellow librarians in January.

I’m trying to be positive while commuting, the job is good and Science Librarian and blogger, John Dupuis tells us why in this post: Optimism?

What I learned in my first semester…

• Building Physics, Engineering & Architecture LibGuides.
• Serials…I have a lot to learn.
• I like to learn and most of my best moments this past year were spent learning.
• Don’t forget to be inspired by the art in everyday living and go to an Art gallery whenever you can!