A short history of my career…
In 2016 I received The I Love My Librarian Award. A campus colleague, unbenownst to me, had submitted my nomination. Out of 1,100 submissions I was one of ten selected. It was one of the most exciting moments of my life. I felt so greatful and lucky and honored. What a thrill - and validation.
The award and reception were in New York City and I was tasked with writing some brief comments that I would present at the ceremony hosted by The American Library Association, The New York Public Library, The New York Times, and The Carnegie Corporation of New York. Here is a version of the words I shared, summing up my career, which I feel is less charted course but rather something viewed in retrospect.
I likely have something in common with you. The living hell of trying to remember account passwords and logins. I have a solution for my work logins. I use variations of I love my job.
Twas not always thus. I have somewhat of a checkered career past - my dad would say I took a rather, “leisurly approach to finding myself.” My friend Ann hosted a library-school graduation dinner for me and included friends and my parents. We met at her place for drinks and were setting off for the restuarant. My parents tried to beg off, “You kids go have fun.” But my friends rallied and wouldn’t let them escape. One asked, “hey, you’ve got to come. How often do you get to see your daughter graduate?” My dad, in his hangdog look and sardonic face, “Quite a lot, actually.”
I recall the first day in library school where I looked around and saw 49 people wearing glasses who undoubtedly listened to the CBC. I knew I had arrived. As it turns out I found something completely suited to my personality.
Back on campus I had been invited to a meeting with architects who were gathering information to support a building plan. With irrepressible enthusiasm I answered questions about library realities and trends. As the meeting progressed, the giant table with colored index cards had the library naturally migrate to the center of it all. Towards the end of the session they asked, “What is the most important
part of your library?” On hearing this I recall being stunned into a moment of silence and that my eyes registered some bewilderment about the question. The only and obvious answer was so clear to me. I responded, emphatically, “the people.”
This is where I expressed my gratitude and thanked everybody under the sun...
When I’m out at a gathering and get asked what I do and respond, “I’m a librarian!” People scatter. So I devised a way to at least try to have them not run away.
“And what do you do?”
“I transform lives”
They stick around. I’ve caught their interest!
“How” or “So you’re a teacher, nurse…”
Here is my response...
I provide people with the oportunity to develop critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills. I give them the chance to use technology in ways they might have never thought possible. I offer them a space to be curious, to explore, discover, learn, and grow. And I provide a place - for retreat or refuge, to imagine, think, and be.
When I walk around the library and see learners using the space and making it their own, to this day I get goosebumps of delight. My job is my joy.
Beyond my influence or control, much changed in the year following this. A lot of it wasn’t so great. I ultimately chose to step away from an established role to explore possibilities. But I will always be a librarian.