OK, some libraries are more helpful than others, based on where their funding comes from. One library I used to live near was funded, in part, by the estate of a very rich deceased patron. It was the BEST library in a small town I have ever seen! If you requested a book, they had it in a couple of weeks.
Don't overlook the libraries at colleges and universities. You don't need to be student to go into these. You can utilize the materials while you are there. If you want to take materials home, you might have to pay a small yearly fee.
27. Read and study indexes in all fields. Spot check publications in your chosen field for index entries. Analyze indexing differences between your field and other fields.
28. Practice creating indexes for books in your field. Check your own against the one that was published with the book. Use small books to start, then move up to the average-sized books in your field. Sure, it's work and very time consuming. You'll also get to know how long it will take you. You might find that your life/situation/health can handle only a certain number of pages per project.
29. Volunteer your indexing services to your chosen field.
30. Meet a fellow indexer for lunch or supper.
31. Join Index-L, IndexStudents, and other indexing-related listservs. There are several. Read, ask questions (remember proper etiquette!), and remember to answer some questions, too. Answer off-list if you are shy.
COMPUTER DEPARTMENT
You're reading this article online, so it might be easy for me to assume you have a computer with web access. However, perhaps you're reading this from a public library that has web access, or from a friend's computer. So, whether you have your own computer or not, here's some things for you to do.
32. Download from the web all the demos of dedicated indexing software. Check them out, and decide which one you like best. Order demo copies from the companies, if you can't download.
33. Take a general computing class, if you are computer illiterate. Or if you just want to know more about word processing, take that. Or learn about the Internet. Just start learning.
If you are 50+, look into the cost of classes at college for seniors. Some allow seniors to "audit" a class free of charge. That means you take the class, but don't get an official grade. What age constitutes a senior varies.
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