As a library school student with one semester left before graduation, I can’t help but be excited at the prospect of finally crossing the finish line, receiving that master’s degree, and starting my career as a youth services librarian. Who wouldn’t be excited to be one step closer to her dream? But the vibe I’ve been getting lately from news articles, library literature and even some of my fellow classmates in their online discussion board comments is something quite the opposite of excitement. Their text has become the equivalent of ominous sideways glances telling me just one thing: be afraid.
Phrases like “uncertain times” have been tossed around while libraries face budget cuts, reduced hours, branch closings, and layoffs. The library where I work as a part-time youth services staff member is currently in the middle of a hiring freeze. The promise of a degree is not necessarily the promise of the start of a new career.
Should I be scared?
Maybe. But being a student, I’m still programmed to think in terms of the present. I’ve had nights working on homework for seven hours straight only to wake up at 6 a.m. the next morning ready to present a toddler story time. If an observation report is due on Monday and a literature review is due Sunday, I spend Saturday working on the lit review and Sunday working on the report. This isn’t procrastination–it’s necessity. To balance two jobs, a master’s program, family, friends, and the occasional guest blog (yes, I am writing this the day before its deadline), you have to take things one day at a time. Which means there isn’t any time to fear the future.
This kind of outlook definitely has its benefits, aside from the obvious “one less thing to worry about.” By taking each day one at a time, I’ve noticed the lines between school and work start to blur. I can’t always remember if I learned something in class or on the job, but I just end up applying the fact or skill where I need it, making both my schoolwork and my job tasks even better. For example, after being introduced to the Web 2.0 poster website Glogster.com (I think this was in class). I was able to create an online poster to present at the Nevada Library Southern District’s “Best of the Best in Storytime for Children” event on Wednesday (http://forestjournal.glogster.com/story-time-programs/). During the event, I learned about exciting children’s programs other libraries are doing that I can write about in assignments for school. Being a library student working in a library keeps ideas fresh in my mind while I sit square in the middle of what’s happening with the state of libraries right now. Even as they face struggles from branch closings to budget cuts, they still continue toward the future with innovative ideas that don’t let me get discouraged and instead motivate me to try something new.
I plan to take this attitude and these skills with me to my next job interview, along with my MLIS degree.
So even if there are no immediate jobs, if pay is low, if I have to brace a storm of fear as I cross that finish line, I still view the “uncertain” times through a student’s rosy Technicolor glasses. Hopefully I can spread my outlook to librarians already in the field with one simple message:
Be excited. The future is going to be amazing.
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Our guest blogger today is Stephanie Espinoza, a Youth Services Specialist at the Green Valley Library in Henderson, NV. She contributes to the Henderson Libraries’ district-wide blog and can be contacted at forestjournal@yahoo.com.
If you’d like to write a guest post for the ALSC Blog, please contact Mary Voors, ALSC Blog manager, at alscblog@gmail.com.
RPLkids
You have the PERFECT attitude! When I graduated a few years ago I kept hearing “If you want a job you will have to leave the area.” I graduated in February and by May was working full time in a fantastic library as a Children’s Librarian. A few months ago, I started a new position as a Children’s Service Consultant and the head of the Central Library Children’s division. How? I believe my excitement and passion opened the right doors for me, and it will for you too. I can’t wait to hear where you land!
Julia Skinner
This is a great post! I hear worry from some of my fellow students, but I feel like if anything ‘uncertain times’ should motivate us to seek out opportunities to learn and grow (which is not only fun and makes us better at what we do, but also helps us be more marketable & stand out from the crowd!) Thanks for your awesome and inspiring perspective!