So long, for now....

After clerking at the Providence Public Library for a couple of years I became a librarian at the age of 25. While many of my colleagues were pursing their second career I was one of the youngest in my graduating class at URI (1992) . After having reached many of my library-related goals by working at three of the finest library systems (Providence Public Library, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, and the Maricopa County Library District) --and working with the finest people--my focus has turned to my young children and family. And to that end, a way to earn a living that allows the flexibility needed to spend vacations, weekends, and to be around for them when they get out of school. My husband and I started our business in July of 2005. While the kids are at school I attend networking and chamber events and work on marketing and promoting our store. It's been a huge learning curve. I feel like I've been sheltered for all these years. I'm learning a lot but I'm also learning that many of the skills do carry over: customer service, technology, finance, merchandising, etc. Also, our business is a franchise and after working in the last two multi-branch library systems, boy do I understand franchises! I am also working on another book about our adventures with this franchise business (any publishers interested??--it's one of the top rated franchises in the country). I have spent the last year weaning myself from full-time librarianship while working on the Kids Catalog project in a part-time status. I will continue to keep this blog up as it is referenced in my ALA Editions book "Library Web Sites" for the foreseeable future. If you have any questions or comments about my work on this site you may contact me at apwilson@cox.net. Thanks for your interest.--Paula
p.s. I reserve the right to renew my ALA membership if the right offer comes along--and once my kids are a bit older!