2013 Year in Review
The Professional…
A little bit over a year ago, I celebrated finishing my MLIS by romping around in Berlin for a week over Christmas. At the time, I had no clue that the following year, I would be celebrating Christmas back in my hometown of Cincinnati – and not as a guest at my parent’s house, but as a resident with an address of my own. I had been in New Orleans since 2008, working at Tulane University’s Louisiana Research Collection, and not really sure where I’d ultimately end up after grad school.
Last spring, I decided to go on the job market, primarily targeting the Midwest for a variety of personal and professional reasons. Being on the job market was incredibly difficult in many ways, because there is so, so much that is simply out of your hands. I also had my partner in the picture (who, thankfully, found a great job in the area and in his field shortly after I accepted my current position). A few years ago at Tulane I served on a search committee that received well over 100 applications. I’ve always been grateful for that experience, because it helped me adjust my own expectations when I went on the market. Still, even knowing what’s happening on the other side of the table does not do a lot to temper the anxiety of the unknown.
This autumn, I was very (unbelievably) lucky to be offered a tenure-track faculty position at the University of Cincinnati, my alma mater and where I got my first library experience, as a student worker. My official title is Digital Archivist/Records Manager. I’m continuing the work of the long-running university records management program, and also planning for UC’s electronic records and digital archives workflows. UC is now a Hydra partner, and it is very exciting and humbling to be in the same room with my incredibly smart colleagues during our planning meetings. UC is undergoing some interesting transitions right now, and I’m glad I’m here.
During SAA’s annual meeting, I was approached to run for SAA Nominating Committee. I don’t know if I have hardcore impostor syndrome or what, but I still can’t quite believe I was asked. I’m thrilled to run, and the slate is full of people I deeply respect and whose company I enjoy. SAA has made progress on several fronts, but there’s still work to be done. Hopefully I’ll have a hand in some of it over the next year. More information on the election is over here.
The Personal…
I’ve always been a big enthusiast for fun projects with a semi-distinct finish line (long ago, I took a picture everyday for a year). This year my big fun project was starting All the Bonds, a blog in which I’m reviewing every James Bond movie. I’m almost towards the end of the Roger Moore era. Hopefully if I get back on a consistent schedule, I can get to Skyfall by the summer.
This year’s big project is going to be reading more books. Over the last several years, I’ve tended to only read about 8-10 books for personal pleasure each year. This year I really want to be more deliberate about my reading habits, and read at least 25 books. I’m planning to read only female authors this year, with the exception of book club selections and work-related reading (and the Keith Richards autobiography I started before Christmas).
I’m really happy to be back in Cincinnati. So much of this city has changed in the last 5 years, and I think most of the changes are very good – particularly the explosion of craft breweries. We’re living in East Walnut Hills, which has some pretty awesome stuff going on and some of the best views of the Ohio River. Of course I miss New Orleans (especially with today being Twelfth Night, the official start of Carnival season), and will carry the Crescent City in my heart until the end of my days. Luckily the cost of living in Cincinnati is excellent, so we can sock away more money for our NOLA-vacation funds.
Oh, and it’s also great to be back in a city where it’s only 84 days until this.
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