I have become so congested today. If I'm still this bad tomorrow morning, I'm going to work from home to spare my coworkers. This is just gross.

Good! i'm trying to make arrangements to see to from Oregon.

Those prominences and the "diamond ring" were amazing!

Can I get some job interview advice/reality check? I phone interviewed last Wednesday for a position in IL. The job description is 50% classics librarian, 50% work in general reference and instruction. The school currently has a standalone branch classics library. One of the 3 questions I asked in the interview was the library's philosophy on closing subject branches. The vice-dean for public services, who is on the committee, answered very generally about merging branches to combine strengths, and matching like with like, but disavowing a big trend to merge into a general university library (they currently have some combined branches, like Art and Architecture, but a lot more standalone branches than most universities their size.)

Today a friend who is a grad student at this university emailed a link to a document she says she "found open" on a departmental computer. It was posted today, and is the charge to the committee that is planning the closure of the classics branch. My friend is shocked and upset, and I am too, but for a different reason. I *specifically asked* about branch closings when I talked to them 6 days ago, and 2 of the search committee members are on the branch closure committee, including the vice-dean who answered my question. It's clear that this has been under discussion for months - the charge refers to conversations last fall. So, I feel that by not disclosing the existence of this plan, which was obviously nearly finalized by last week, they were being dishonest with me. I am frankly sort of insulted.

So the question is, what do I do? If I'm invited to campus, how do I address this concern? Because their dishonesty makes me a lot less interested in the job now, and I think they should know that. But I want to tell them so professionally.

We had plans to gather for next year's eclipse at a site in totality near my Uncle Frank's childhood home. Uncle Ken was even going to be there. Now they're both dead. I dunno.

So...email 2 coworkers not in my branch but that I've worked significant projects with (including one who moved to be a deputy chief engineer) asking if they are willing to be references, not knowing yet if references will be requested? Yea or nay? Vetting/interview/offer will include my boss, fellow branch folk would be really conflicty. From personal email to their work. (Though I'd prefer to do it f2f, but that happening is not guaranteed.)

> ...next year there's a solar eclipse in August...I think I'll make plans....

Part of me wants to plan a watch party with local family (we are in the path of totality) but part of me wants to take some vacation time and travel to somewhere cooler, like Jackson WY.

I have seen several partial solar eclipses, but never a total solar eclipse. I'm looking forward to it very much.

So the question is, what do I do? If I'm invited to campus, how do I address this concern? Because their dishonesty makes me a lot less interested in the job now, and I think they should know that. But I want to tell them so professionally.

flea, perhaps they weren't at liberty to disclose? Also, if you inform them of what you have learned, expect them to ask you for your source. What would you say?

It was posted on a public section of the library web site. So it wasn't a secret, although if my friend hadn't seen it and sent it to me I might not have realized this the day it happened.

Huh. I do think that deserves questioning but I don't know how you should do it, flea. Maybe the fact that this closure is so far along had them thinking it was a done deal and they were answering you about future closures after this one? It's definitely weird, but perhaps not terrible.Can you ask for clarification of their answer in light of your new (new to you) specific knowledge, maybe? Frame it that the answer you got from them is confusing considering the closure?

I say yea, sarameg. Always good to have references ready to go, and to warn them you'll need them.

dcp, I am super jealous that you have the option of staying put and seeing the eclipse from home. I like traveling well enough, but I looove staying home.

Dana, I'm so sorry.

I'm eating my first healthy meal in a while: roasted veggies with TJ's 10-minute farro. Pretty tasty!

flea, I think there's no way you cannot ask them about it. If it's public, the source is irrelevant. But as AAM says, position yourself as "confused" rather than challenging. Because you are hardly the only interviewee they will be misrepresenting the situation to.

... also, why are they interviewing classical librarians if they know the plan is to close the classics library? Is this some political thing?

My nose hurts. Bah.

Aaaand done. One is nbd, I've worked with her the whole time. New deputy engineer? We've had 3 years of intense interaction before her promotion and I loved her, but we don't have the personal so much.

And my mom just had a big meltdown cry on the phone with dad and I want to call her but she's asked we don't and I get that, but uhg.