Why I'm Here
I’ve always been of a few beliefs that have impacted my life in large, positive ways. First, that it is never too late to try something new, especially if it’s something you feel called to do. Second, that you should never feel boxed into a particular kind of work based on schooling, prior experience, and other similar factors.
These principles led me to start my Master’s program in Library Science during the fall of 2020, in the height of the pandemic when it was obvious that this way of life we were getting used to was going to stick around for a while. They led me to leave food service, an industry that I could have stayed in and made a lot of money in, but at the eventual expense of my physical well-being. They led me to get my driver’s license for the first time at 26, get married at 28, and at age 30, move across the country with my spouse. I’m completing an online graduate-level certificate in Archives Management, taking five classes to take the groundwork I established in library school and deepen it and learn how to apply it to archives.
Now, at this point in the explanation, I usually get questions so I’ll clarify some things. Yes, there is such a thing as “library school.” No, you don’t learn how to shelve books or check books in or out to people; heck, you usually only take one class in library and personnel management (which of course, if you’re wanting to work up to a lead, manager, or director role, is crucial knowledge to have). You learn theory behind information science and some of the topics at the heart of libraries, like challenges to books, privacy concerns, freedom to read, access to information online or in hard copy format, etc. You learn how to apply for grants, so that you can secure funding to start or continue programs that benefit your community. Students specialize, with lots of librarians-to-be pursuing child librarianship. While I love working with kids, I don’t foresee my days filled with storytimes and programs targeted to kiddos in any amount of age ranges from 18 months to 12 years. There are also teen librarians, who work with young people aged 13 to 18. A lot of students specialize in academic libraries or reference librarianship; still others know that public libraries are where they want to be.
I’ve toyed with the idea of all kinds of work within libraries, but it was completing my practicum in an archive that really showed me that this is a potential career path as well. I currently work as a paid part-time intern at a small research library, organizing and arranging collections that can then be used by visitors and researchers.
It’s been fun, but one of the things I’ve enjoyed most that I wasn’t expecting to enjoy was writing blog posts about the collections I arranged. Taking the time to talk in a meaningful but approachable way about what people can expect to see in a collection has really been a joy. I have a background in journalism but walked away from that world a few years after college for several reasons. In fact, it was for so many reasons that I've decided that will be a future blog post (stay tuned!). I have dabbled in writing short stories, poems, observances, and more ever since, though the idea to start a personal blog never really crossed my mind. My partner started their own blog in August 2023, and I knew I wanted to do the same ever since. I kept putting it off as an undertaking that would require too much time that I certainly don’t have…right? With the end of the semester approaching and how much relative freedom I do have with my time, it’s really never been a better time. This (writing) isn’t completely new to me, but I do feel called to it and this practice can help bolster my work as an archivist and researcher. Plus, just having a writing practice and a place to house and treasure my words feels right, especially if I'm hoping to write books one day. I thank you for joining me so far, and I’m really excited to share my musings, ramblings, and thoughts in this space.