why do I like libraries?
In 2005 I was finished with my BS, I thought I was lining up a good career for myself, but for some reason I was unhappy. I did an interdisciplinary degree that was about 2/3 music and 1/3 business with the intent to go into the world as a performing arts fund raiser. Entry-level positions in this world do not really exist, so I resolved to work in a development office elsewhere to gain that necessary experience to break in. About 9 months into this position I realized that eyeing old ladies for their money was not the job for me, and my noble vision of performing arts fund raising was crushed when faced with a much more raw and dirty experience.
One day I was throwing my own pity party and my mind wandered to when I was last working and happy, both at the same time. It was in the library at my undergraduate institution. There was some kind of special cocktail of building, collection, and people that just resonated with me. While I worked in this library, a few of the librarians quite seriously told me that I should also join the librarian ranks and go to library school. It took a year working outside of libraries for me to realize just how much they were where I belonged.
bright-eyed, fresh pre-grad michael, circa 2006
In a manic burst of inspiration, I began e-mailing the librarians I knew, as well as my former supervisor who was a library school student at the time. Tons of advice poured in, many lunches happened, and before I knew it, I was scheduling the GRE and polishing application essays after the admission deadline. The kindly program director allowed me to apply late and once my paperwork was processed and I had been interviewed, she gave me a big thumbs up!
Since then I have worked in a para-professional position in an academic library, quit my job (not my wisest decision), traveled abroad, and finished my MLS. In the year since, I have been looking for that ideal librarian job that must be out there. There have been a number of opportunities, very close calls, and a handful of disappointments. I have also learned much more clearly what I am looking for in a position, employer, and geographic location.
hardened, post-MLS michael, circa 2009
Now where does this put me? I am a year into a job search and without anything solid on the horizon. I have lost touch with why I became a librarian and what draws me to libraries. In an effort to reconnect with my motivations, I will brainstorm a bit:
- The shelves with the magnificent books
- Patrons, I like to watch them (in a non-creepy way)
- Co-workers, other people who are also excited about these things
- Information-seeking tools
- Culture
- Comfortable places to escape
- Helping patrons
- Making patrons happy
- Collaborating with co-workers and patrons
- Planning events
- Telling people about libraries
- Sharing a vision
- Creating cool tools
- Having fun with technology
- Getting things done
Though this list was written on the fly and without much thought, it really does help me remember why I want to do this, why I want to be in libraries. What would you add to the list?
Some additions are:
- Connecting people to the information they need (Erica F)
- Seeing students getting excited about research or figuring out a learning tool (Candise B)
- The library is a structure that helps make unstructured things possible (Caleb TR)
