Crummy

Yesterday was just a flat out crummy day. Thankfully, since my resignation from SafePlace, the number of crummy days experienced have been miniscule. To be honest...practically non-existent. For those that have inquired about my well-being, I am doing fantastic. Thriving is good word to describe how I am doing.

I need to take a moment to thank SL. Back in 2006, she interviewed me for my first professional gig in the victim services field (domestic/sexual violence). And, not only did she interview me, I received a warning during my interview. SL told me that I would see and hear some pretty horrific stories. Of course, as you can surmise, I didn't listen because I got the job and did it in various capacities for five years. My mother refers to them as, "the dark years." I have been told that I am back to "old self" again and to receive that evaluation from my family and close friends is the equivalent to a gold star. It has only taken, what, almost 5 months to decompress? I did have a pretty good Tom Hanks-style laugh when a representative from Who's Who contacted me. Chapter closed. Permanently.

Example of Tom Hanks laughing:

Museum: Bookcase #1 (out of many!)

Another History Lesson:
When I was selecting my major for undergrad, my parents encouraged me to pursue library science or even English. For a spell, I entertained the notion of an undergraduate degree in History, one of my many passions, but felt like my options would be limited to teaching. (How incredibly myopic of me!)

I digress...

The highlight of yesterday: working at the museum. I have always had an affinity for Hermionish activities. In addition to creating an index of archival materials, I am working on shelf lists for the various bookcases in the public areas of the museum. I plan on cataloging the materials and taking lots of photos for security purposes. Yesterday, I began work on the bookcase pictured.

I feel as though this next part should be a separate post, but the news of it completely pertains to the "crummy day" of yesterday. When checking my WSU email, I found this bombshell, from Dr. Bajjaly, in my inbox (I have added links to relevant LIS content):

Dr. Joseph J. Mika, Professor in the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS), has announced his retirement, effective August 31, 2011. Dr. Mika came to Wayne State in 1986 as Director of the then LIS Program. Under his direction (1986-1994 and again from 2002-2008), the faculty grew from five to seventeen full-time positions, the student body increased from 79 to over 500, nine endowed scholarships were established, and the SLIS received accreditation and reaccreditation from the American Library Association. Dr. Mika moved again to faculty as a full professor in 2007.

Prior to coming to Wayne State, Dr. Mika served as assistant dean and associate professor of library science at the University of Southern Mississippi, was assistant librarian and assistant professor at Johnson State College (VT), assistant director of the library at Ohio State University’s Mansfield Regional Campus, and in various positions as support staff in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh (PA).

Dr. Mika is an author and editor, and makes numerous presentations to library organizations, focusing on customer service, personnel issues, leadership, and strategic planning.

Dr. Mika’s professional activities have included numerous American Library Association committee appointments, and election to the ALA Council as chapter councilor, first from Mississippi and later from Michigan. He has served as Chair of the Michigan Center for the Book, and has been active in Beta Phi Mu, the international library and information science honor society, having served on its Board and as President.

In addition to his career in the field of library and information science, Dr. Mika is a retired Colonel in the United States Army Reserve. Dr. Mika holds a BA, MLS, and PhD from the University of Pittsburgh (PA).

He will be truly missed by students and faculty alike. For selfish reasons, I am sad to see the program lose his talent and dedication. (Congratulations, Dr. Mika.)

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