A Day in the Life: Diane Miner

September 20, 2016 / By Diane Miner, Media Resource Center Director

Believe it or not, part of my work day starts from home when I wake up (5:30 a.m.).  The first thing I do is spend a half-hour reading part of a book from the Media Resource Center.  It doubles as a good devotional time and a way to preview materials.  I have made this part of my morning routine for over five years now. 

I typically get to work at 7:30 each morning. (You may not realize that the Media Resource Center is not located in the Conference Center yet, so I have worked in an office by myself for the better part of the past six years).  Before I even check email or phone messages this morning, I begin with a pile of about 10 requests sitting next to the postage meter waiting to be packaged and mailed out. There are a few steps to getting resources ready to mail: checking to see what is available for the request, sending a follow-up email or phone call, invoicing them, and packaging them for shipment. 

I spent time on the phone this morning with a church lay person who likes to plan the year of studies for her small group.  I checked the library log while we are talking to see what she has done in the past and we discussed options for this year. When she has her studies picked out, I will help her plan the year, so the studies fit into the right time frames for her group.  After I talked to her, I went through and double checked the dates and reserve the resources for the appropriate dates.  I followed up with an email that included the list to make sure it’s set up correctly.

My friend from FedEx delivered a package from Cokesbury (I tend to get a lot of them).  Some new Advent resources have arrived, so I will catalog those later this week or next.  It’s Advent in August since I need to plan at least a season ahead in the resource center (I always have a wish list next to my computer).

Intermittently, the phone rings and people stop in and I help them with their requests. (I actually mail to over 70% of the churches that utilize the resource center). Sometimes people know exactly what they want and other times they like to discuss options and ask questions.  I also ask questions to be sure I am suggesting the right resources for their group.

It’s a beautiful day, so out the door I went for a walk.  Most days, I like to get out and take a walk during my lunch time, but alas that doesn’t always happen.   

Upon my return, I had a pile of resources that need to be checked back in, which includes making sure nothing is missing or damaged (bubble wrap is my friend), checking them in on the computer library system, and re-shelving them if no one else is waiting for them. 

More phone calls and email requests came in for resources, so I have a new pile next to the postage meter to mail out tomorrow and some on the shelf for people to pick up.  I have also been working on putting together the notebooks for the upcoming Safe Sanctuaries Train the Trainer sessions. I was going to work on my newsletter, but time helping others is much more important. That will have to wait until tomorrow or the next day…