Intrepid Murmurings

To apply or not to apply, that is the question.
I have been thinking of applying for a job at an Evil Book Empire. There is a job fair today and tomorrow in my neighborhood for said company. I have friends who used to work there. I used to work there, too. I swore I never would again, that from then on I would only work for hip, independent stores, the ones that didn't sleep with the publishing industry, or take money to put certain (crappy) books on the end caps and best display racks. Those gritty, homey, quirky stores that somehow struggled on amidst the corporate stores taking the town by storm....I really do like them so much more. But they don't ever need my services! Trust me, I have tried. The last one I attempted to (unsolicited, of course, since they so rarely hire) went under a few months ago. A small independent children's bookstore a couple miles away. It was a delight of a store, and a big loss to the community. I was in college the first time I worked for E.B.E. I didn't know as much then, and was pretty desperate for a job. I helped set up the store; I admit, it was a lot of fun. Lots of camaraderie among the staff, a pretty diverse set of people, if I recall. I love organizing things, and that's what we did for the first month or two: unloaded books, sorted and organized sections, made beautiful displays highlighting (when I could) the books I thought were best. I learned a lot about books and merchandising, too, and I think I got pretty good at it. The section I ended up working was the one most employees went out of their way to avoid -- the dreaded children's section. I loved looking at all the books, and knew half of them already anyway. I ended up working there off an on for two years, sometimes running story time, sometimes the holiday madness of answering phones, making gift suggestions, and ringing up lines of impatient customers. Ours was the busiest store in the city, if I recall. And for some reason we sold the most bibles in the state, a fact both strange and slightly disturbing, but definitely one that sticks in my memory, for some reason. So back to the E.B.E. I am torn. Having worked for two bookstores and taught first grade and kindergarten, I know a fair bit about these things, and I think it may be an easy job to get. It is a half mile from my house. If it is anything like my first experiences, I could get temporary, part-time position (exactly what I want), doing what I really enjoy, handling children's books. I would, if I decide to and they will have me, help in setting up the children's department in preparation for the opening of this new store. I don't want to stay on to help with customers post-opening, as there are other impending events in my near future I will need to focus on, but if I recall they had to let a lot of people go right around then, anyway, once the brunt of the work was over. But, on the other hand, I don't really like what this company stands for (though I admit I am rusty on the details, so feel free to remind me). I like working for (and supporting) the little guys, not the big guys, like E.B.E. If I was really serious, I could look around, update my resume, go out there and find something else, something that I believe in, that nurtures my soul. I could create things, and sell them for the holiday season. I could volunteer my time to the hundreds, and possibly thousands of hurricane evacuees that are coming to my state, so far, far away from their own, later this week (I may still do that, anyway). And I know I am incredibly lucky, too, in that while the extra cash would be nice (and very timely, too, as I start shopping for some nursery things!), I do not need this job to make ends meet. So there. What do you think, computer friends? Shall I apply or no? Stick up for my beliefs, or give in to something I think I would enjoy, and that pays me, taboot? And will I be wracked with guilt if I do? ***Here are a few related links, I have stumbled upon in my wanderings, today: An oldish, but interesting post about publishing industry. A recent news story about "the little guys" by a writer for the Sacramento Bee (just delete the stuff before the second www in the address line to bypass registration!)