Retired from the County of Los Angeles Public Library System on February 1, 1998

I worked for the City of Commerce Public Library (1962-1969.); and, worked for two years as the Head of Technical Services, Librarian II.  From 1969-1973 I was a Personnel Specialist E-5 in the United States Air Force.  I began my career with the Los Angeles County Public Libraries in 1974 as a Reference Librarian at the Compton Public Library.  I was the branch manager of the ELA Library for many years, and regional and systemwide audio-visual services coordinator.   I retired as the Regional Administator for East Region of LACOPL on February 1, 1998.  I worked part-time for the Corning Union Elementary School District (K-8) as the Technology and Media Services Supervisor or District Librarian from 1998 until June of 2016, and retired at the age of 70.  And, during the same period, I worked part-time for the Tehama Family Fitness Center in Red Bluff, California, as a Yoga, Tai Chi Chuan and fitness instructor.

From 1985 to 1998 I worked as a Library Administrator, assigned to lead as the Regional Administator for East Region (21 libraries, 2 bookmobiles).  22 years have passed since I retired on February 1st from the Los Angeles County Public Library and moved to Red Bluff, California in 1998.

So, February 1st is a very important date in my life.  Karen and I, and our son Mick, all moved in 1998 from Hacienda Heights, San Gabriel Valley, East Los Angeles County, California, about 550 miles north to Red Bluff, Tehama County, North Sacramento Valley, California.  From huge metropolitan Los Angeles, we moved to rural Tehama County, with a population of 50,000.  Red Bluff City had around 15,000 residents.  From a small suburban lot, to a five acre parcel with a spacious home.  The Spirit of Gardening was born in 1998.

During the 1980's and 1990's period, here are some pictures of the people I had the good fortune to work with:

East Region Library Managers and Regional Coordinators

circa 1994

Administrative Council (AdCon)  COLAPL circa 1993

Margaret Wong, Mike Garofalo, Lilly Loo

How I looked back then in 1980-1990:

1999-2016 Corning Elementary School District

Technology and Media Services Supervisor

or District Librarian

Part-time 24 hours per week school year

Library Services Team CUESD
2014

Karen and I would take an unpaid week off work each February, from 1999-2014.
The deserts east of the Sierra and Cascades are great in February.

So, February 1st reminds me of past good times.

Corning Union Elementary School District Employment

I was employed part-time for the Corning Union Elementary School District from 1999 until July of 2016; 17 years.  

I worked during the academic school year (August to June) for 119 days each year; normally, 3 days for 8 hours per day each week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).  My schedule was flexible, and I earned overtime on many occasions.  I had unpaid vacation for a week around Thanksgiving, two weeks for Christmas, one week in February, one week at Easter, and most of the summer from June 2 to August 15.  

From 1999-2005, I was employed in a certificated position as the District Librarian.  I managed five elementary school libraries, textbooks, and computer labs.   I took two elementary education credential classes per semester at California State University at Chico during this period, so as to keep the certificated position. 

From 2006-1916, I was employed in a classified management position as the Technology and Media Services Supervisor.  I managed five school libraries, computer labs, and textbooks and consumables for 2,300 students in grades K-8.  I also wrote many grants, and did the budget management for grants totaling $4.2 million to this district.  I was also a certified substitute teacher during this period.  We opened four new libraries in this district during my tenure there.  My office was at the Maywood Middle School Library.  

Technology, Media, and Libraries Services Group
Donna, Maria, Christina, Jeanie, Jackie, and Mike in 2014

Many classes visited our five school libraries each week

Karen and a Special Education Class of students

Children Everywhere All the Time

We managed over a dozen computer labs in five schools

Our service group had many behind the scenes storage areas

Working on textbooks for 2,300 students

Student Library Volunteers

Talking with and Helping Students

Working on the East Lab Grant with Mr. Dillon

Working with great teachers like Marna Whitley

Resuming Employment

Today, I return to work for the Corning Union Elementary School District in Corning, California.  I have worked as the District Librarian, Media Services Supervisor, Textbook Manager, Webmaster and grant writer/manager since 1999.  I work part-time, 24 hours per week, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week, only during the academic school year (mid-August to early June).  I supervise four persons providing services at five libraries, and one person providing educational software support.  

I enjoy helping children (grades K to 8), encouraging reading, teaching, supporting teachers, getting curriculum materials into the hands of students, being useful to others, learning, and earning some extra income. 

Such outside employment reduces my time and energy for other pleasing activities such as reading, gardening, mind-body practices, home improvement projects, writing, reflection, etc.  

I hope to stay employed by the school district until I am almost 73 years of age - 3.5 more years.  Then, I plan to retire.  I hope to be able to continue teaching yoga, taijiquan, qigong, and fitness classes for many years until my health and fitness inevitably declines.  



"Work is love made visible."
-  Khalil Gibran


"Monotony is the law of nature.   Look at the monotonous manner in which the sun rises. 
The monotony of necessary occupations is exhilarating and life-giving."
-  Mahatma Gandhi


"Every kind of work can be a pleasure. Even simple household tasks can be an opportunity to exercise and expand our caring, our effectiveness, our responsiveness. As we respond with caring and vision to all work, we develop our capacity to respond fully to all of life. Every action generates positive energy which can be shared with others. These qualities of caring and responsiveness are the greatest gift we can offer."
-  Tarthang Tulku





Aging Well

How to Live a Good Life

Work