October 29, 1991

LINK is one big happy family now that Pete Hamon has volunteered to be Sugar Daddy, at least for 1992.  Jo Zipsie is euphoric and even Peter Niemi speaks in favor of cooperation.

I take an extended afternoon break -- more taping and notebook reorganization -- and return to work the info desk.  The teen queens are no-shows, but Chris Robbins, Brian Long, and John Chancy form a goofy trio that keeps the periphery of my vision occupied.

October 1, 1991

I drive Andy to daycare and then stop at the South Madison McDonald's for breakfast before a short road trip to Brodhead for the Public Library Advisory Committee meeting.  Jo Zipsie's near-apoplexy over automation makes her an even stronger candidate for retirement in my mind.  And then Peter Niemi starts opening his mouth with engaging his brain.  He suggests that since Madison may have to cut staff and the book budget to fund automation, other libraries should so likewise.

"Peter, that is absurd," I respond vociferously.  "That's ridiculous.  Why should those of us who have done our homework be penalized?"

It seems that my outburst brings him back to reality.

I take the scenic route home, meandering along the lonesome roads of Fitchburg.  I browse through the record bins at Half Price Books where I locate a clean (or so it looks) copy of Elephant Mountain.

The evening is very slow, and once I get home JoAnna's still out at volleyball.  I read a couple dozen pages of Rabbit at Rest.

August 6, 1991

No freedom to do what I want this morning.  Advisory meeting at Sun Prairie, and as I walk back to my car, I focus on Niemi's ponderings regarding Madison's '92 library budget.  No money for automation.  What does this mean?  I leave a message with Julie, and she calls me back when I'm in the middle of a meeting with Sharon and Liz.  We touch base shortly before 5, and she volunteers to investigate.  Now that Middleton's city budget process has been officially announced, I focus my energy on the final draft of the long-range plan and a first draft of a 1992 budget proposal.  Photocopying chores delay my return home until halfway through Green Acres.  Everyone's in bed, waiting for Daddy to come home.  What fun to be a family

February 27, 1991

The Finance & Governance subcommittee meeting, scheduled for a full morning and afternoon of torture in Middleton's conference room, lasted less than 90 minutes, to everyone's surprise.  Some of us were expecting a contentious day with Peter Niemi, but since our last meeting, the Madison Public Library board has seen the light.  Suddenly, I have a freed-up day, but I'm not in the mood for work.

The library bandit was apprehended earlier in the day, just after midnight, to be exact.  Turns out to be just the person I would have fingered, Don's son-in-law, a surly, swaggering son of a bitch.  Considering I saw him only once, that's a pretty strong opinion.  I keep wondering if my feelings were based on latent racism or if I simply had an encounter with a walking, walking, make that mumbling, stereotype.

January 23, 1991

Wake up to a new video.  Keep up as best I can but wonder when the movements will be seamless.  No matter what the push, most of the time I think I'm in pretty good shapes, even if I don't bicycle or cross-country ski anymore.

On my way to a SCLS Finance & Governance meeting, I stop at Scott's to buy treats -- splurging when I ask for two dozen donuts -- and make the extra effort to drive to Sentry for orange juice.  During the meeting, Madison Public Library Director Peter Niemi is not nearly as obstreperous as I would have predicted.  The group makes lot of progress, which doesn't mean it still can't be all for naught.

During the early afternoon, Peter Hamon, Julie Chase, and I discuss the specifics of the clearinghouse arrangement.  The more I think about this change in resource sharing, the less enamored I become of it.

To clear my head, I drive to Hilldale to purchase orange and green hi-liters at University Bookstore.  The nerd in me is ready to cream his jeans.

When I get home, JoAnna tells me we need milk.