After I wrote about taking airplane trips, many of which were made possible by my job, I never really explained how being a remote business librarian at the New York Small Business Development Center worked.
The NY SBDC, as is true of the SBDCs around the country, offers free and confidential business advisement, from helping develop business plans to more complex operations.
Our SBDC had a part-time librarian who started in 1991. When the program received a grant to provide reference services, starting October 1, 1992, they had to gear up fast. The grad assistant, who had graduated, became librarian #2. I became librarian #3 on October 19 and the fourth person four days later.
Early on, we, designated as the Research Network, did the research and sent the information by – ready for this? – mail. The first innovation was when our databases went on a LAN or local area network. Previously, when we wanted to use a particular database, which was on compact discs, we had to wait our turn.
Eventually, we thought to try to send information via email. The trouble was, though email had existed for some years, it was slow to be introduced to some college campuses, where most SBDCs resided.
I recall specifically that some of our field advisors had come to our Central office in 1994 or 1995. My officemate sent me an email to me. One advisor said, “But why would one do that?” Noting the ten feet of distance between my office mate and me, “He’s right THERE.”
Early on, one of my responsibilities was to operate an electronic bulletin board or BBS. I was to be the SYSOP or systems operator. A couple of things: I never knew that I was in charge of it before I was hired, and I had no idea how to do it. Kevin, one of the techies in the office, trained me as best he could. Eventually, we abandoned the technology, thank goodness.
Editor
Another job was to edit a newsletter to send to the state programs in the hope that they’d, in turn, distribute it to their local offices. Some of the content was the Research Network either touting our services or offering advice.
The article I remember best was a woman who worked for the SBDC in Oklahoma City. She was severely injured from flying glass and debris following the terrorist explosion at the nearby Murrah Federal Building in April 1995. It was a very touching narrative.
When we learned the NY SBDC lost the library contract to the UT San Antonio SBDC in 1998, we were very sad, of course. We had a Christmas party in September. By that point, we had seven librarians. One took another job, and two were laid off.
Four of us remained to provide reference services for the NY SBDC, with much more significant technological growth. But that’s a story for another day.
My wife and I have usually gone to church together over the past 22+ years. But often, we didn’t sit together, as I was usually perched in the choir loft while she was sitting in the congregation. The exception was during the summer when the choir was usually off. She really liked it, but it felt somewhat foreign to me.