I’m excited to start a new chapter

/ May 8, 2016

I’m returning to an old friend in many ways.

On Monday, May 16, I’ll jump into my Chevy Cruze in the driveway of the Little Bitty in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood at about 8 o’clock and head north just a handful of miles.

Destination: The Liverpool Public Library.

A pretty picture.

A pretty picture.

She’s a beautiful sight, the lovely brick building sitting in the heart of the village of Liverpool. Onondaga Lake sits a mile from these walls. Some days I’m sure I’ll visit Onondaga Lake Park for a walk either before or after work.

Well-maintained lawn.
Outdoor reading spot for the children.
You can spot Onondaga Lake idown the hill.

Hover over any gallery photo for a description. Click on any image for an enlarged slide show.

My job title will be public information assistant. I’ll be back in the field of communications.

Talks with Director Glenna Wisniewski and Community Relations Director Diane Towlson have me excited about my duties. I’ll be managing social media, working on the web site, taking photographs, shooting videos, meeting with members of the community, attending library events. I’ll be talking with interesting folks and spreading the word about happenings intriguing, significant and fun.

Getting the word out.
Inside the Carman Community Room.

I’ll be writing stories and editing copy and correspondence.

I’ll work within the walls of the library and out in the community.

Glenna and Diane had me visit the Carman Community Room for a Board of Trustees meeting this week, to say hello, introduce myself and listen to these hard-working community leaders discuss the issues of the month. The budget vote is the day after I start, for instance, and all was laid out carefully. An impressive candidate up for a trustee seat also introduced herself. A nearby craft festival is the weekend after. The annual book sale is moving along.

I’m looking forward to turning the page and diving right in.

A lifetime lover of libraries, heading to work at one of the best ones in Central New York. Imagine that.

How do you remember feeling about the first day of a new job? How do you prepare for new starts in your life? What would you wear on the first day of the job?

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94 thoughts on “I’m excited to start a new chapter”

  1. Dear long-lost friend (mia culpa), I am SO VERY happy for you and this new opportunity!! The job description sounds perfect for you. Pictures, social media, events??? That’s you! How is it going since you started?

    I have been with intermittent wifi for several months now and only go online using my friendly iPhone to do quick updates on Facebook. To say that I am behind on my blog reading is, well…a HUGE understatement. I will be checking out your various posts now to catch up. 🙂

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  7. Back in your wheelhouse, my friend. My mom worked in a library all during my childhood, so I spent umpteen hours during summers and breaks, scouring the books and filling my head with images. Too bad kids don’t do that these days.

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    • Thanks so much, Kerbey. I went so many times a week to the library growing up, too. They had air-conditioning as well as the world on the shelves. 🙂 And, hey, now I’ll try to get kids spending umpteen hours at the LPL.

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    • Even the days you felt flat you had to engage the customers as if they were wrapped in satin and make sure they left the store feeling they shined like semi-gloss. Just sayin’, Doc.

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  14. Perfect! I love that library and all they do. Oh, and remember you have a friend here on the radio (actually, I’m sure you have quite a few friends in radio)!

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    • Thanks so much, David. You and your children grew up together in a great village. I’ll be proud to work there. I hope you are well in Colorado, old friend. I thought of you often this past month as we lost Pearl. 😦

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  21. Mark, I am so happy & excited for you!!!!!! I am just smiling ear-to-ear!! I have always loved libraries, and to be able to spend time there working in the field you love is such a blessing! Congratulations, my friend!! Can’t wait to hear all about it as you get settled in 🙂

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  22. How cool is this?! Sounds like something right up your alley.
    I usually wear clothes to my first day on a new job. (hee-hee). I would wear something comfy.
    I love the smell of libraries. Too bad they don’t still have card catalogues, those things used to fascinate me with the really long drawers.
    This is all very exciting!!!!!!!

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  24. Oh Mark, I am so happy for you and excited for your first day! It sounds so well suited to your gifts and talents. I think a celebration is in order. How do you think you might do so with family and friends? ❤
    Diana xo

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    • I have yet to plan the celebration, Diana. This coming Saturday is daughter Elisabeth’s graduation from Onondaga Community College for her hard-earned physical therapist assistantant’s degree, so first things first. Karen and I already had a steak dinner out the night I accepted the job, so that was awesome. Maybe some more fun later! Thank you, my friend. This job is a great fit for me. ❤

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  25. So cool! Congratulations on your new adventure! I only wish you were coming to Northern Onondaga Public Library, where I work (full time clerical). Liverpool is lucky to have you! I have a few friends who work at Liverpool library and they’re great. Glad to hear you love the library, so I know you will do great in promoting this very valuable community center for learning, information, fellowship, and fun!
    To answer your questions: My feeling when I started at the library (11 yrs. ago) was RELIEF, because I just lost my Dad and I needed something to distract myself and counteract the grief. New starts are exciting! I try to visualize the best possible outcome and then endeavor to make it happen. I think you should wear something comfortable, but with an element included that represents your personality. Don’t wear your paint splattered boot!

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  26. Congratulations! My true hometown library … I hold dear memories of the library, from visiting the children’s room in the old building from the age of 5 to current times … should be a great venue for you!

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  30. Congratulations, Mark! I’m so happy for you!

    But I must say, that I have been impressed by your upbeat attitude towards the curveballs life has thrown your way. You’ve taught us all by example.

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  31. YAY, HURRAH, YIPPEE! bro Mark is back at a job he will LOVE! This is the best news I’ve read on this site in such — actually since I first began following you my friend. An early Father’s Day gift for you actually, and I’m so excited for my little brother I’m about to bust wide open with pride, joy and all good things. I’m totally psyched for you. 🙂

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  32. YAY, HURRAH, YIPPEE! bro Mark is back at a job he will LOVE! This is the best news I’ve read on this site in such — actually since I first began following you my friend. An early Father’s Day gift for you actually, and I’m so excited for my little brother I’m about to bust wide open with pride, joy and all good things. I’m totally psyched for you. :-)!

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  36. Congratulations, Mark on your new responsibilities with Liverpool Library! As a 30 year resident of Liverpool and a frequent visitor to the Library, I consider this great news for all of us here in Liverpool! What a great development in the Library’s history … and yours!

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    • Thanks so much, Mark. I am so fortunate to be representing the Liverpool community with the library. It takes a village hub, and the library works hard to be that in many ways. I’ll do my best to represent those values. See you there, good sir!

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  39. How wonderful to be back in your element, Mark.☺☺☺Your persistence is rewarding you with what sounds like the perfect position. (and there won’t be any paint on those shoes !) Many congrats to you. Look forward to sharing some of your adventures. ❤️

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    • I am looking forward to wearing the shoes I bought in the Waterloo trip with my dear wife Karen with my bowling prize money to the new job, Van. Yup. And sharing work tales here wisely without a blanket corporate no-no-no beforehand. 😉

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  40. Bravo-Terp just knew something good was around the corner for you-as you may recall?! Time well spent at the store but a brighter picture now for you to utilize your skills. I also love a library and frankly I could just spend hours in one, always have loved them as my children had come to enjoy too. On rainy days during the summer we head to one together. Best of Luck on this new position I know you’ll enjoy it immensely Mark- Bravo my friend. Gatorette

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  41. i am so excited for you, this seems like the perfect match. i’m a huge fan of libraries and a huge fan of you and your skills, so i think this is destined to be a winning combination. isn’t if funny, the paths that life takes?

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