Where do you live? Western, KY
What was your job title? Circulation supervisor
In what industry? Libraries
How old were most of your coworkers? From 20's to early 60's. Mostly 30 somethings.
How did you find out you were losing your job? Boss just said I didn't know what I was doing. I had been a librarian for 20+ years. Why couldn't she just tell the truth? She just wanted to put a part-timer back on full.
Did you have to leave immediately or did they give you a few weeks to get used to the idea? They took my key and time card and I was gone. Now they won't even answer when people ask about me.
Tell us a little about what you did: Trained and supervised staff. Oversaw daily library operations. Helped patrons with reference questions.
What was your favorite part of the job? Being able to help patrons.
What was the worst part? Having to stand on my feet all day and not being allowed to help people like I had in previous jobs.
Did you like going to work? Yep--pretty much. Had some favorite patrons I enjoyed seeing.
Did you feel like you were making a difference? Not as much as other libraries where I have worked simply because I was not given the chance. I did have some patrons who asked my advise on things.
What have you done since you've been laid off? Finished an online medical transcription course and searched for jobs. Am taking a medical coding course on my own.
How do you spend your days? Job searching, studying, reading and being bored!
Have your spending habits changed since you've been laid off? (Have you cut back on anything? Given up coffee?) Have cut out everything but food and housing. No insurance so no checkups, etc. and cutting back on my medicine. Can't afford it.
Do you have any big financial worries? Yes-how will I be able to go to the hospital when my health crashes due to lack of medicine? How can I keep the house?
How many jobs have you applied for since you've been laid off? Since the end of May -- 75.
What kind of job will you apply for next? Will it be in the same field or a different field? Why? Anything. I've exhausted all possible library jobs without going back to school. Can't afford that so am trying different options. With our local unemployment rate at over 12%, not much to choose from--not to mention the age discrimination that goes on.
