I need a shot of courage and some advice. I’ve worked in a library for most of my life, at the current library for 25 years. I’ve always loved library work and have never wanted to do anything else. Today I was laid off and told that my job skills are no longer needed. I’m a damn good cataloger, one of best in this part of the state (other librarians opinion not mine), but it’s cheaper to use OCLC catexpress than pay me $10.00 an hour so I’m out. I don’t know what to do. I have no skills but library work. There are no other libraries in commuting distance, who can afford their own catalogers, and do not require a degree.
Drawbacks: I’ve only a high school diploma and no money or way to attend school. I’m 48 shy would rather work alone and have a disability that limits my options. I can’t stand for more than 1/2hr or lift more than 20 lb. It’s a small town so not alot of job choices. My husband’s job, family and life are here he does not want to move.
Good points: I’ve used computers for 12 years for cataloging, and pickup most programs easily. Helped five libraries automate and build their data bases. Taught myself cataloging by reading everything I could about it. I maintained the libraries circulation system, dealt with tech support, helped patrons use the computers. Also whenever staff needed help they would come to me. I did most of the research for reference questions. I love a challenge, digging for solutions and problem solving. I am intelligent, willing to learn and a hard worker.
So please help me figure out what to do. It might help if you know a couple quirks about my personality. We bought a forty pound box of mixed buttons for crafts I sorted them by color and size and shape. I enjoyed it. Also sometimes I read books upside down to help me concentrate. Any advice would be welcome.
I’m not sure where you live, but there are resources in every state to help people find jobs. If you Google the name of your state and “one-stop career centers”, you should find a listing of centers which can help anyone in their job search, by providing resume help, career exploration and assessment, workshops on interviewing, etc. If you Google “State VR”, you will find out who in your state provides vocational services for individuals with disabilities.
I do career counseling and employment assistance for folks with disabilities in MA—emails in my profile if you want help finding specific resources and ideas in you area. Just put SDMB in the subject line.
It’s not unusual for me to work with individuals who did one specific job or set of tasks for years, only to be laid off when their skills are no longer needed. These people generally do require some retraining (although you have certainly got a leg up with your computer abilities) but can—and will—find work.
agreed. use career resources in your area. if all else fails, you might take the computer route and do web design. (seriously, though, what is it with web design? if more and more people use the net, we need more webdesigners, but it seems to be such a damned safety net especially in cases like this. maybe i should learn me some of this newfangled web deeeesign).
that does suck to be laid off like that, though. we in america tend to look at a job as an extension of our personality almost…it’s not just what we do, but dammit, it’s HOW we do it, too. too bad local governments are severely restricted in how they can raise money, otherwise, such funding wouldn’t have to be cut.
i wish you the best in the search. let us know how it goes for ya.
Thanks for the encouragement and advice. I know that in the long run I’ll get through this but right now panic has set in. My husbands a long-haul trucker and gone most of the week we have no living children. I’m shy and socially awkward and most of my friends were the people I worked with. So I woke up this morning knowing I had no place to go and no one to talk to. It’s not that I haven’t things to do I’ve hundreds of books to read, a room full of craft projects, and stacks of jigsaw puzzles to put together. But I’m alone and scared.
Fuck! That wasn’t wallowing in despair enough was it? :rolleyes:
Since I wrote that I found a number for the state adult education agency so I’m going to check that out. Also I signed up with the states Vocational Rehabilitation because of my disability so they might help me with training. My hubby is going to run local for a couple weeks so I’ll see him every couple days and can go with him a couple times. Now if I just knew how to make friends I might pull out of this funk
HA! You think that was wallowing in self-pity? You’re going to have to try a little harder!
Seriously, though, I’m glad you have checked out some resources. Depending on where you live, State VR might take a long time—here in MA they have an automatic 3-month waiting list. However, there may be other agencies or resources which can help you while you wait. For example, I work for an organization which has a Project With Industry grant, which means that we get $$$ from the federal govenment to provide employment servces to individuals with disabilities. We are not State VR but we work with them. An INCOMPLETE list of various PWIs can be found here. It might be worth looking to see if there are similar organizations where you live.
It does sound like you’re doing all the right things. Still, I’d like to offer again my assistance or just my ear if you like. I work in the field, sure, but I’ve also been on disability and I’ve been unemployed, so I’ve got a few bases covered there.
HA! You think that was wallowing in self-pity? You’re going to have to try a little harder!
Seriously, though, I’m glad you have checked out some resources. Depending on where you live, State VR might take a long time—here in MA they have an automatic 3-month waiting list. However, there may be other agencies or resources which can help you while you wait. For example, I work for an organization which has a Project With Industry grant, which means that we get $$$ from the federal govenment to provide employment servces to individuals with disabilities. We are not State VR but we work with them. An INCOMPLETE list of various PWIs can be found here. It might be worth looking to see if there are similar organizations where you live.
It does sound like you’re doing all the right things. Still, I’d like to offer again my assistance or just my ear if you like. I work in the field, sure, but I’ve also been on disability and I’ve been unemployed, so I’ve got a few bases covered there.
I have no advice, but just wanted to send you a {{hug}}. I know how it feels to be displaced from a job that you know and love. I had to shut down my retail store, and it was terrible.
It sounds like you’re on the right track and willing to get out there and try. Please keep us posted with how you’re doing. We care about you.
My hubby would like me to but I don’t think I could do it. I’m too afraid to drive in large towns and he spends way too much time on California Freeways.
